Apprentice Level 3 Early Years Educator

KELLOE PHOENIX CENTRE LTD

DURHAM (DH6 4PG)

Closes in 14 days (Monday 23 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 9 March 2026

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Summary

This role is for a Nursery Practitioner in an early years setting, focused on providing safe, high-quality care and learning in line with Ofsted requirements, the EYFS framework, safeguarding legislation, and nursery policies.

Wage

£11,778 to £19,047.60, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

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Salary based on experience

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday - Flexible shift patterns between 07.30 - 17.50

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 March 2026

Duration

1 year 3 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

  • Day to day, the practitioner supports the smooth running of the nursery, ensures children’s health, safety and wellbeing at all times, maintains confidentiality, completes required paperwork, and communicates closely with parents and colleagues
  • The role also involves contributing to a positive team environment, attending training and meetings, following strict professional standards (including conduct, punctuality, and uniform rules), and actively supporting the continuous improvement of the setting
  • You will be responsible for a group of children’s learning, development and care. This includes building strong relationships with children and families, meeting personal care needs, supporting routines and transitions, and helping children progress through the EYFS. The practitioner carries out regular observations, planning and assessments, records “next steps,” and works in partnership with parents and other professionals
  • Health and safety duties are also central, including risk assessments, cleanliness, equipment checks, and maintaining a safe, stimulating environment where all children can learn and feel a strong sense of belonging

Where you'll work

FRONT STREET
KELLOE
DURHAM
DH6 4PG

Training

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

Training provider

SKILLS NORTH EAST 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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4 to 9)

Other in:

EYE (grade Pass)

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
  • Presentation skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Experience with SEND
  • DBS

Other requirements

  • Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Experience working in a nursery 
  • Either be able to drive or live very close due to location 

About this employer

We are working with a community-focused early years nursery located in Kelloe, providing full-day childcare for young children in a supportive and nurturing environment. Rated “Good” by Ofsted, the nursery offers engaging play-based learning activities and strong support for children’s communication, personal development and readiness for school. With experienced practitioners working closely with families.

After this apprenticeship

  • There will be growth within the company available 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SKILLS NORTH EAST LIMITED

Cathryn

cathryn@sne.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000019991.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Monday 23 March 2026 at 11:59pm)