Early Years Educator Apprenticeship
LEO ACADEMY TRUST
Ashtead, Epsom Downs, Sutton, West Molesey, Worcester Park
Closes on Sunday 19 April 2026
Posted on 29 January 2026
Contents
Summary
LEO Academy Trust is committed to developing a family of schools, where collaboration makes a real difference for our children, staff and families. We are seeking ambitious EYE apprentices to join our team in September 2026. We welcome applications from all members of the community, including those from protected characteristic groups.
- Wage
-
£12,514 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Paid monthly on the last working day, in 12 equal instalments.
- Training course
- Early years educator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, will either be term time & teacher training days or all year round with release for studies during the working week.
6 hours per week - timings to be confirmed with successful candidate.
30 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
5
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
Main purpose of the post:
- To work under the guidance of qualified early years educators to learn and undertake learning activities with individual children and groups of children, in or outside the classroom/setting
- An Early Years Educator Apprentice will support the qualified staff in the delivery of the early years curriculum, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children
General Employment Duties:
- To supervise and provide particular support for children, acting on the advice and guidance of qualified early years educators, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities
- To be flexible within working practices of the setting, undertaking other responsible duties where needed, such as domestic tasks, preparation of snack meals, cleansing of equipment, etc.
- Establish good working relationships with children, interacting with them according to individual needs
- To promote the inclusion and acceptance of all children
- To encourage children to interact and work cooperatively with others and engage all children in activities
- Provide our children with a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care in the nursery
- Providing personal care, such as feeding, changing nappies, and administering medication
- To promote self-esteem and independence
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- West Ashtead Primary Academy, Taleworth Road, Ashtead, KT21 2PX
- Shawley Community Primary, Shawley Way Tattenham Corner, Epsom Downs, KT18 5PD
- Brookfield Primary Academy, Ridge Road, Sutton, SM3 9LY
- Manor Park Primary Academy, Greyhound Road, Sutton, SM1 4AW
- 438 Hurst Road, West Molesey, KT8 1QS
- Cheam Common Infants Academy, Balmoral Road, Worcester Park, KT4 8SS
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SUTTON LONDON BOROUGH COUNCIL
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
Monday - Friday 30 hour per week, 6 hours per day.
More training information
Your training provider will be Willows End Training.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4-9 or A - C*)
- Maths (grade 4-9 or A - C*)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
This vacancy will involve working with young children in a nursery/Early Years setting and you must be aged 17+.
About this employer
Why choose an Apprenticeship with LEO Academy Trust?
Real-world impact: Make a tangible difference in the lives of youngest children, staff, and families across our vibrant school communities. Invest in your future: Benefit from enhanced career earnings, continued education, and a fulfilling working life, as evidenced by the Social Mobility Commission (2020).
Proven success: Join a Trust with a strong track record of successful apprenticeship employment in diverse roles. We are committed to supporting you every step of the way! Grow with us: Become part of a thriving community of apprentices, with exciting progression opportunities through 'extra' CPD and the possibility of continued employment after your studies.
Company benefits
- NEST Pension available
- Access to health & wellbeing support
- Discounted rates for after school and breakfast club, as well as discounted nursery rates
After this apprenticeship
At LEO Academy Trust, we are committed to working with our wider community and to helping hard working, motivated individuals get into and get on at work. We have a proven track record of successful apprenticeship employment in various roles across our Trust and believe we are well positioned to support you in your first steps in your first, or new, career.
We would like to create a community of apprentices in the workplace and can offer progression opportunities through ‘extra’ CPD as well as the possibility of continued employment after you have completed your studies.
The Trust offers a variety of courses for ambitious candidates - you may wish to pursue another apprenticeship or look into our BA Hons programme for onward career progression.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SUTTON LONDON BOROUGH COUNCIL
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011394.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 19 April 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.