Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship

DOVER COLLEGE

KENT (CT17 9RH)

Closes on Saturday 15 August 2026

Posted on 23 June 2026

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Summary

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain your full and relevant Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification whilst being paid a wage! 

No college to attend; hands on experience.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm

40 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

  • Support children of different ages, stages of development, and abilities, ensuring they feel safe, valued, and included
  • Help create a positive, stimulating, and well-prepared learning environment
  • Encourage children's independence, confidence, and curiosity through play and everyday activities
  • Support daily routines including mealtimes, personal care, sleep routines, and outdoor play
  • Observe and support children's learning, development, and wellbeing
  • Build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues
  • Work alongside experienced staff who will provide guidance and support throughout your apprenticeship
  • Promote a safe, caring, and nurturing environment where children can thrive

Where you'll work

EFFINGHAM CRESCENT
DOVER
KENT
CT17 9RH

Training

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

Training provider

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK 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

What You’ll Gain:

  • A Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification
  • Valuable hands-on experience in a nursery environment
  • Support and mentoring from experienced early years professionals
  • Online learning delivered by Best Practice Network
  • The opportunity to build a long-term career in early years education, with potential for a permanent role
  • 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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

  • DBS
  • Be sure to have 2 employer references ready before interview

About this employer

At Dover College, we firmly believe that the early years of a child’s
education are critical in shaping their future. The experiences children
have during these formative years lay the groundwork for a lifelong love
of learning. In our Nursery, we nurture curiosity and creativity, fostering
an enduring enthusiasm for discovery that we hope will accompany
each child throughout their school journey and beyond.
Our aim is to provide an inspiring and joyful learning experience in a
caring, stimulating environment. Led by dedicated and experienced
staff, each child is encouraged to explore their individual interests and
talents through imaginative play and purposeful learning. We believe
passionately that children should play to learn and learn through play.
Our Nursery is an integral part of Dover College life. From making mud
pies in our on-site Discovery Garden during Forest School sessions to
exploring stories in the library, from early numeracy to music and PE
lessons led by specialist teachers, our youngest pupils benefit from the
full breadth of what the College has to offer. There is something here
to excite and engage every child.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • Potential to progress to full-time or Level 5

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038757.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 15 August 2026