Childcare Apprenticeship - East Sussex

COUNTRY BUTTERCUPS LIMITED

Udimore RoadRye (TN31 6DG)

Closes in 18 days (Friday 21 August 2026)

Posted on 3 August 2026

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Summary

Country Buttercups are looking for a new Childcare Apprentice. You will be studying toward your Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3.

• 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 - 4:30pm.

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Friday 28 August 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

This is an excellent opportunity to begin a rewarding career in Early Years Education while working towards a Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship. You will join a supportive and experienced nursery team dedicated to providing high-quality care and education for young children.

To successfully complete this Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship, you must have an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), safeguarding responsibilities and child development, together with a genuine commitment to supporting children's learning, development and wellbeing. Throughout the programme, you will build upon this knowledge while developing the practical skills and professional behaviours required to become a qualified Early Years Educator.

As an Early Years Educator Apprentice, you will:

• Support the planning, preparation and delivery of age-appropriate learning activities that reflect each child's stage of development and interests.
• Work alongside experienced practitioners to provide high-quality care, learning and play opportunities for children.
• Assist Key Persons in supporting children's learning, development and wellbeing.
• Help create a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
• Support children's personal care routines, including nappy changing and promoting independence where appropriate.
• Assist during meal and snack times, encouraging positive social interaction and healthy eating habits.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene, cleanliness and health and safety throughout the nursery.
• Follow safeguarding procedures at all times, reporting any concerns promptly to senior members of staff.
• Support children who are unwell or require additional comfort, ensuring nursery procedures are followed.
• Build positive relationships with parents and carers, communicating professionally and supporting children's individual needs.
• Help ensure the nursery environment is welcoming, inclusive and accessible for all children regardless of their background, abilities or medical needs.
• Work collaboratively with the nursery team and contribute positively to the day-to-day running of the setting.
• Act professionally at all times, maintaining the nursery's high standards both within the workplace and when representing the organisation.

Where you'll work

Udimore RoadRye
TN31 6DG

Training

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

Training provider

PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS 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

At Shaping Lives, we are dedicated to one mission: helping nurseries like yours nurture future generations through high-quality early childhood education. As a trusted training provider, we specialise in developing skilled, passionate educators who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children aged 0-5.

Whether you're looking to enhance your current team's skills or recruit new talent, we’re with you every step of the way. Upon completion of this 18 month apprenticeship, you will have obtained your Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification.

Requirements

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

Skills

• Creative
• Initative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Communication Skills

Other requirements

The closing date guidance, if a successful candidate is found before the advertised dates, the advert will close early.

About this employer

Private day nursery with a homely atmosphere, delivering high quality early years education and childcare in the Sussex countryside.

After this apprenticeship

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

There is a possibility of being offered a full time role after successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043441.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Friday 21 August 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.