Level 3 Early Years Apprentice at Little Start Childminding

Little Stars Childminding

Somerset (TA1 3BJ)

Closes in 14 days (Thursday 12 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 28 January 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

We are seeking a caring and enthusiastic apprentice assistant with a genuine interest in working with children. This role offers the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification while learning on the job in a supportive setting.

Wage

£10,011.30 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The Apprenticeship minimum wage will be increasing from £7.55 per hour to £8.00 from April 2026

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Wednesday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, 1-day every 2-weeks day release, 25.5 hours a week

25 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Thursday 12 March 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

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

As an apprentice, you will support the daily care, learning, and development of young children in a warm, home-from-home environment, while working towards a recognised childcare qualification.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Support children with play, learning activities, and daily routines such as meals, toileting, and rest times
  • Assist in planning and delivering age-appropriate, play-based activities in line with the EYFS
  • Help observe, record, and contribute to children’s development and progress
  • Maintain a safe, clean, and stimulating environment at all times
  • Support outdoor play and outings
  • Build positive, caring relationships with children
  • Communicate effectively with parents and work as part of a small team
  • Follow safeguarding, health and safety, and setting policies

This role would suit someone kind, reliable, and motivated, with a genuine interest in working with children. No previous childcare experience is required, just a positive attitude and willingness to learn.

Where you'll work

Mountfields Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 3BJ

Training

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

Training provider

SOMERSET SKILLS & LEARNING CIC

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

  • Early Years Educator Level 3
  • Training will include paediatric first aid qualification

Requirements

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

  • Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check
  • Please consider how you will travel to the place of work, particularly if you rely on public transport

About this employer

We are a friendly, home-from-home childminding setting providing high-quality care and early learning for young children. Our environment is warm, nurturing, and child-led, supporting children to feel safe, confident, and valued.

We offer a range of play-based learning opportunities, including outdoor play, to support children’s development in line with the EYFS. We place strong importance on positive relationships, kindness, and working closely with parents to meet each child’s individual needs.

http://www.littleStarschildmindingtaunton.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Fully funded Level 2 or Level 3 childcare apprenticeship
  • Supportive, friendly working environment
  • Ongoing training and career development
  • Paid birthday day off (subject to staffing ratios)

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship, progression to a permanent role within the company.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOMERSET SKILLS & LEARNING CIC

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011171.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Thursday 12 February 2026 at 11:59pm)