Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

SUNSHINE DAY NURSERY (YORK) LTD

YORK (YO31 9HU)

Closes in 4 days (Saturday 28 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 20 March 2026


Summary

We would like to offer you the chance to build a career in childcare and employ your own personal talents to make a difference to young lives and shape your own future. We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative childcare apprentice to join our team at Sunshine Day Nursery.

Wage

£15,392 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)

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
We are open Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 13 April 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

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

This job role will include the following tasks:

  • To plan, organise, supervise and carry out  suitable activities and educational programmes for children, using the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
  • To maintain a safe, secure and hygienic environment for children
  • To support the staff team with children’s developmental records within a key worker system
  • To attend staff meetings, planning meetings and assist with fundraising and any other duties the manager deems necessary   
  • To keep abreast of current issues and attend training as necessary
  • To supervise children at mealtimes

Where you'll work

410 HUNTINGTON ROAD
YORK
YO31 9HU

Training

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

Training provider

CITY OF YORK 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

  • Level 3 Early Years Educator
  • Level 2 Functional Skills maths and English (If required)
  • Paediatric First Aid Certificate 

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

This vacancy will include an enhanced DBS check.

About this employer

Sunshine Day Nursery is an early years setting in the heart of Huntington. Our experienced and knowledgeable team offer fun and educational activities to ensure the children's time at the setting is fun. Whilst providing an environment which will stimulate and encourage the children to strive in all areas.

https://www.sunshine-day-nursery-york.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

To work in a supervisory role in an early years setting.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CITY OF YORK COUNCIL

Louise Wox

louise@sunshine-day-nursery-york.co.uk

01904 627164

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000018852.

Apply now

Closes in 4 days (Saturday 28 March 2026 at 11:59pm)