Early Years Apprentice (Level 3)

The Abbey School Reading

Reading (RG1 5DZ)

Closes on Tuesday 10 February 2026

Posted on 1 October 2025

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Summary

Enrolment onto the Level 3 Diploma for The Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator). The opportunity to gain valuable childcare experience, working with children aged 3-4 years in a nursery setting. 20% ‘off the job’ learning time. Regular training with a local provider. -An assigned assessor who will complete regular progress reviews.

Wage

£24,000 a year

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Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
This is a fixed term, full-time/part-time position, working term time only. Exact working days and hours TBC

30 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 11 February 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Support the activities of all curriculum areas in the classroom
  • Work with individuals and groups to support their learning
  • Provide for the general welfare, safeguarding and pastoral care of children
  • Perform organisational and administrative tasks to support the running of the school day
  • Be self-motivated and to liaise with members of staff throughout the school, working effectively as a member of the team
  • Prepare and clear away materials and assist with displays and general classroom organisation and productions
  • Attend educational visits supporting the students’ learning and may have the opportunity to attend residential visits
  • Share children’s learning through updating Tapestry, report writing and meeting with parents

Where you'll work

17 Kendrick Road
Reading
RG1 5DZ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CHILTERN TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Early years educator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure.
  • Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
  • Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
  • Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
  • Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child.
  • Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
  • Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
  • Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children.
  • Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
  • Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support.
  • Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
  • Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
  • Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
  • Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
  • Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
  • Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice.
  • Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
  • Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and interests.
  • Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
  • Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
  • Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.
  • Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure.
  • Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
  • Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
  • Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
  • Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child.
  • Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
  • Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
  • Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children.
  • Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
  • Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support.
  • Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
  • Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
  • Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
  • Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
  • Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
  • Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice.
  • Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
  • Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and interests.
  • Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
  • Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
  • Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.

Training schedule

  • You will work towards your Level 3 Diploma for The Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
  • Training will take place at Chiltern Training in Reading Town Centre, 5th Floor, One Valpy, 20 Valpy Street, Reading RG1 1AR 
  • Lessons are twice a month (once in person and once online)
  • Training will include paediatric first aid qualification

Requirements

Essential qualifications

Other in:

Childcare (grade Level 2)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Flexible
  • Proactive
  • Verbal and Written skills
  • Upbeat and caring approach

About this employer

Little Nellies is part of The Abbey School. It is a wonderful nurturing atmosphere and a nursery experience tailored specifically for girls. From their first days they are learning to explore with freedom in a way perfectly suited to them.

https://theabbey.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

The potential for a qualification reward bonus subject to the completion of the Level 3 Diploma.

After this apprenticeship

As an Early Years Educator with a Level 3 qualification, you play a crucial role in the development and education of children from birth to five years old.

This role involves creating and implementing learning activities, monitoring children’s progress, and ensuring their safety and well-being.

You will be working closely with children, parents, and other professionals to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment.

Job Opportunities:

  • Nursery Practitioner
  • Room Leader
  • Nursery Manager
  • Early Childhood Education Consultant
  • Family Support Worker
  • Hospital Play Worker

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHILTERN TRAINING LIMITED

recruitment@theabbey.co.uk

01189872256

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000344667.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 10 February 2026

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