Early Years Educator apprentice

DIONNE LORRAINE DICKENS

BRISTOL (BS14 8NW)

Closes in 12 days (Monday 31 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 18 August 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

Start your childcare career in an Ofsted Outstanding setting where every day is hands‑on, creative, and rewarding. Learn directly from an experienced childminder and gain the skills, confidence, and knowledge to thrive in a high‑quality childcare environment.

Wage

£8,736 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 - Thursday (1 day at college) TTO 7hrs per day 21 hours per week possibly more hrs if required. Occasional days during school holidays. Attend college. Salary is depended on age.

21 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 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

What you’ll do at work:

Alongside your Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship with Dionne Dickens (childminder) and SGS College, you’ll be supported every step of the way as you:

  • Build meaningful relationships with children aged 9 months to 3/4 years
  • Set up and deliver fun, engaging EYFS‑linked activities
  • Support daily routines such as handwashing, mealtimes, and school runs

This role is varied, rewarding, and perfect for someone who is committed, caring, and eager to learn:

  • A warm, caring nature and a genuine love for working with little one
  • Friendly communication skills with children, families, and colleagues
  • Patience and a calm approach, even on busy days
  • Willingness to learn, ask questions, and try new things
  • Ability to follow instructions and use initiative
  • Creativity for planning fun, engaging activities
  • Good organisation to help keep the day running smoothly
  • Ability to work well as part of a supportive team
  • Understanding of safeguarding and child safety
  • Reliability, punctuality, and professionalism Confidence in leading small activities
  • Creativity in storytelling, arts, or outdoor play
  • Ability to observe and record children’s progress
  • Basic knowledge of SEND support

Where you'll work

3 DERRICKE ROAD
BRISTOL
BS14 8NW

Training

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

Training provider

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND STROUD 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

Early Years Educator Level 3.

Training will include paediatric first aid qualification.

The apprentice will attend college 1 day every fortnight at the Filton Campus. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade A-C or 4-9)

Desirable qualifications

NCFE or BTEC in:

Early Years Practitioner Level 2 (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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Will require Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About this employer

Childminder Environment:

I am warm friendly person offering a fun stimulating environment. We often go on outdoor learning adventures and introduce new experiences.
"2023 - Early years Outdoor practice level three"
I work with an assistant 3 days a week, providing a high quality of care to meet all the Children's needs

https://www.childcare.co.uk/profile/1183574 (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

You’ll be learning from a childcare professional with 15 years of Outstanding practice, especially known for outdoor learning and child‑led development. This role gives you a strong foundation for future roles in early years, education, or further childcare qualifications.   

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND STROUD COLLEGE

Amy Archer

Amy.archer@sgscol.ac.uk

01179092202

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048764.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Monday 31 August 2026 at 11:59pm)