Early Years Level 3 Apprenticeship

WIGWAM NURSERIES LTD

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon

Closes on Monday 1 March 2027

Posted on 5 November 2026

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Summary

Start your career in childcare with Wigwam Nurseries. Gain hands-on experience working with children whilst studying towards your Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. You'll be supported by an experienced team, receive high-quality training, and develop the skills needed for a rewarding career in early years education.

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)

£8.27 per hour. Following the first 12 months of employment, pay will increase to National Minimum Wage in line with age-related rates.

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, working four and a half days per week. Shifts will be scheduled between 8:00am and 6:00pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Friday 12 March 2027

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

4

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 the learning and development of children aged 0-5 years through play and planned activities.
  • Help create a safe, caring, stimulating and inclusive environment for all children.
  • Build positive relationships with children, parents, carers and colleagues.
  • Assist with planning, preparing and delivering fun and educational activities.
  • Observe children's progress and contribute to learning and development records.
  • Support children's personal care routines, including hygiene and meal times.
  • Help set up and maintain engaging indoor and outdoor learning environments.
  • Follow safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies and procedures.
  • Work as part of the nursery team to provide high-quality childcare and education.
  • Complete off-the-job training and work towards the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • 26 Barton Road, Cambridge, CB3 9JZ
  • Ermine Street North, Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire, CB23 3RH
  • 62 High Street, Brampton, Huntingdon, PE28 4TH
  • Unit 9, Vantage Park, Washingley Road, Huntingdon, PE29 6SR

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

  • Training will be delivered by Best Practice Network and will take place primarily in the workplace, alongside experienced Early Years practitioners.
  • The apprentice will work towards the Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard.
  • Training will be delivered through a combination of workplace learning, online sessions and regular reviews with a Best Practice Network tutor.
    The apprentice will receive dedicated off-the-job training throughout the programme.
  • Regular progress reviews will be completed with the apprentice, employer and Best Practice Network to support successful completion of the qualification.

More training information

Best Practice Network is an experienced apprenticeship training provider, specialising in education and early years programmes across England. Training is delivered through a blended approach, combining workplace learning with online learning and regular support from a dedicated tutor.

The apprenticeship is structured around scheduled learning activities, one-to-one reviews, and ongoing progress meetings with the apprentice, employer and Best Practice Network to support successful completion of the programme.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C or Functional Skills)
  • Maths (grade 4/C or Functional Skills)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

Successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. Candidates should have a genuine interest in working with young children, be willing to work indoors and outdoors, and be committed to completing the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship.

About this employer

Wigwam Nurseries Ltd believes in providing quality childcare in a welcoming, stimulating and caring environment. Each nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and encompasses a child centred approach to play and learning. They adopt and work towards a creative curriculum, a passion for open ended investigation and positive outdoor experiences. Their aim is to create within each of their settings; an outstanding place for children to be well cared for and to flourish within play and learning.

https://wigwamnurseries.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Additional leave
  • Company pension
  • Free parking
  • On-site parking

After this apprenticeship

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

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you may progress into a permanent Early Years Educator position within the nursery. There may also be opportunities to develop into senior practitioner, room leader or management roles with further experience and professional development. Wigwam Nurseries is committed to supporting career progression and ongoing training for dedicated team members.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED

Alice Pollington

recruitment@bestpracticenet.co.uk

0117 920 9200

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062808.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 1 March 2027