Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship - January 2027 start

JENNIFER MCGREAL

Maidstone (ME15 8UG)

Closes on Friday 1 January 2027

Posted on 7 September 2026

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Contents

Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic apprentice to join our nursery team. This role is perfect for someone looking to start a rewarding career in childcare while gaining a recognised Early Years Educator qualification. Working alongside experienced practitioners, supporting children's learning and development through play.

Wage

£9,984 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. Shifts of 6-hours per day between nursery opening hours. Exact working hours TBC.

24 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 5 January 2028

Duration

1 year 9 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

As an Early Years Educator Apprentice, you will support the daily running of the nursery and help provide high-quality care and education for children.

Duties will include:

  • Supporting children's learning and development through play-based activities
  • Assisting with planning and delivering engaging learning experiences
  • Building positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues
  • Supporting children's personal, social and emotional development
  • Encouraging independence and confidence
  • Helping to maintain a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment
  • Assisting with mealtimes, routines and personal care as appropriate
  • Following safeguarding, health and safety and nursery policies at all times
  • Observing and recording children's progress
  • Working effectively as part of the nursery team

The purpose of this role is to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a qualified Early Years Educator.

Where you'll work

26 Pennine Way
Downswoods
Maidstone
ME15 8UG

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

Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard.

The programme offers a blended learning approach including:

  • Training will include paediatric first aid qualification
  • Online learning modules
  • Virtual classroom sessions
  • Workplace observations
  • Portfolio building and assignments
  • Regular progress reviews
  • Candidates are not required to attend college. Off-the-job training will be completed during paid working hours in line with apprenticeship requirements

You will receive regular support from your apprenticeship tutor through scheduled reviews and workplace visits.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience

Other requirements

Appointment to this role will be subject to:

  • Satisfactory Enhanced DBS clearance
  • 2 suitable references
  • Verification of identity and right to work in the UK
  • Successful completion of all pre-employment checks in line with safer recruitment guidelines for childcare settings

About this employer

Jennie’s Little Leaps is a warm, home-based childcare setting in Maidstone, Kent, providing a safe, nurturing environment for young children to learn, play, and grow. Jennie offers personalised care with a strong focus on early learning, development, and fun activities, supporting children to build confidence and reach their full potential in their early years.

After this apprenticeship

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

Once you have finished the apprenticeship, there may be an opportunity to continue working for the same company and progress on to Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner, EYITT, ECT or Level 3 Early Years SENCO.

Early Years Educators are found in a range of settings including day nurseries, playgroups, nursery schools, pre-schools, kindergartens, primary schools, hospitals, social care settings, out of school environments and local authority provision, giving you a broad range of employment opportunities.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041016.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 1 January 2027