Early Years Educator Apprentice

Durham Dales Partnership

Bishop Auckland (DL13 1BN)

Closes in 31 days (Friday 29 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 28 April 2026

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Contents

Summary

In your role as Early Years Practitioner Apprentice, you will play a vital role in the development of positive educational experiences for all children in our Early Years setting. 

The role is based at Wearhead Primary Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. St Johns Chapel Primary School - Fridays (college day - Thursday).

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)

Role is term time only, wage is paid monthly.

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Wednesday (Wearhead Primary School). Thursday, 9.00am - 4:15pm (Bishop Auckland College). 8:30 – 4:00pm Friday (St Johns Chapel Primary School)

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 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

  • Work in partnership with teachers, Early Years practitioners, and relevant professional agencies to support children’s learning and development, reporting observations and outcomes to the lead practitioner as appropriate.
  • Work consistently within school / setting policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, behaviour, and confidentiality, seeking guidance when required.
  • Support children to understand instructions, engage positively with learning activities, develop independence, and ensure inclusive practice that meets the needs of all children.
  • Contribute to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of learning activities alongside the teacher or qualified practitioner, providing informed feedback on children’s progress and engagement.
  • Support the teacher or practitioner with behaviour management strategies, applying agreed approaches consistently and supporting children to develop self‑regulation.
  • Support learning by preparing, organising, and maintaining appropriate resources and learning environments, adapting materials to meet children’s needs under direction.
  • Assist in escorting and supervising children on educational visits and off‑site activities, following risk assessments and safeguarding procedures.
  • Assist with the supervision of children outside of planned learning times (including before and after school and at lunchtimes), supporting positive behaviour and wellbeing, but not undertaking sole supervision.
  • Support children’s learning through play, planned activities, and routine experiences, demonstrating understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
  • Maintain a clean, safe, stimulating, and well‑organised learning environment, identifying and reporting hazards or concerns promptly.
  • Support children’s personal, social, and emotional development, encouraging positive relationships, confidence, and resilience.
  • Assist children with eating, dressing, toileting, and personal hygiene when required, whilst promoting independence and dignity in line with individual needs.
  • Observe, record, and share observations of children’s development using agreed systems, contributing evidence toward assessment under supervision.
  • Assist with the preparation, presentation, and maintenance of displays that support learning and reflect children’s work and developmental stages.
  • To learn and be given training in the required skills and responsibilities over the term of the apprenticeship to then be able to undertake the full range of duties listed below;

    To study and achieve the Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3 during the duration of the apprenticeship.

Where you'll work

Wearhead
Bishop Auckland
DL13 1BN

Training

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

Training provider

BISHOP AUCKLAND COLLEGE

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

Apprentices will attend Bishop Auckland College oine day per week to attend class. This is on a Thursday every week during term time.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 9-4 / A*-C / Level 2)
  • Maths (grade 9-4 / A*-C / Level 2)

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

  • First Aid (grade Pass)
  • Food Hygiene (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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

  • Applicants will be subject to a DBS check
  • Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to safeguarding/child protection, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
  • Show a duty of care to pupils and staff, and take appropriate action to comply with health and safety requirements at all times
  • Be aware of and support difference and ensure that all pupils have access to opportunities to learn and develop
  • Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the school
  • Maintain good relationships with colleagues and work together as a team

About this employer

  • We are a collection of six schools based within the Durham Dales – Butterknowle, Frosterley, Hamsterley, St John’s Chapel, Wearhead and Woodland.
  • We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and stimulating learning environment, where every individual is valued and supported.​
  • Our aim is to promote the whole child to be resilient, develop a love of learning and achieve their full potential in a diverse world.​
  • We will achieve this through working closely with pupils, parents, staff, governors and the wider community.

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

After this apprenticeship

To be discussed at interview. Possible progression in to permanent role.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BISHOP AUCKLAND COLLEGE

David Brough

david.brough@bacoll.ac.uk

01388 743164

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028734.

Apply now

Closes in 31 days (Friday 29 May 2026 at 11:59pm)