Childcare Apprenticeship

UNICORN CHILDCARE CDE LIMITED

CHERTSEY (KT16 8AN)

Closes on Tuesday 3 November 2026

Posted on 2 October 2026

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Summary

Are you passionate about working with children and eager to start a rewarding career in childcare? Swift Childcare is offering an exciting opportunity to earn while you learn and gain a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification!

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)

The pay may be negotiated and may rise after a probation period has been successfully completed.

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Full time hours, Monday to Friday, varied shift patterns.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 17 November 2026

Duration

1 year 2 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

  • Supporting children's learning and development in a nursery or childcare setting
  • Engaging children in fun and educational activities
  • Ensuring a safe and stimulating environment
  • Assisting with daily routines such as meals, nap times, and outdoor play
  • Observing and recording children's progress
  • Working closely with a team of experienced childcare professionals

Where you'll work

81 LONDON STREET
CHERTSEY
KT16 8AN

Training

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

Training provider

SWIFT ACI 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

  • Remote Learning – Complete your qualification with online support from experienced tutors
  • Hands-on Experience – Gain valuable skills in a real work environment
  • Career Progression – Opportunities to move into full-time employment upon completion
  • Dedicated Mentor – One-to-one guidance throughout your apprenticeship
  • Holiday Allowance – Earn paid time off while you learn
  • No Experience Needed – Full training provided

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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

Skills

  • IT skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

About this employer

Unicorn ChildCare is a warm, welcoming home-from-home setting caring for children aged 9 months to 4 years. We provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children are encouraged to learn, develop and flourish. Our qualified and enthusiastic team follows the EYFS and STEM curriculums, providing a wide range of activities including sensory play, arts and crafts, music, movement, storytelling, role play, gardening and creative learning. We are passionate about giving children the best possible start in their early years and are looking for a caring, enthusiastic apprentice who is eager to learn, develop their skills and build a rewarding career in childcare.

https://www.unicornchildcare.co.uk/about-us (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).

  • Working towards a level 3 qualified Early Years educator. 
    Can work towards room leadership roles long term. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SWIFT ACI LIMITED

Swift Childcare- Hannah

hls@swiftcc.co.uk

02034751326

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000051446.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 3 November 2026