Early Years Apprentice
BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Aylesbury (HP17 8FH)
Closes in 24 days (Thursday 3 December 2026)
Posted on 9 November 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you looking to start or develop your career in Early Years with an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork?
At Bright Horizons, we're offering an exciting opportunity to join our fast track Level 3 Early Years Apprenticeship Programme.
- Wage
-
£27,976 a year
- Training course
- Early years educator (level 3)
- Hours
-
40 hours per week, Monday - Friday earliest start 7.30am and latest finish 6.30pm
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 4 January 2027
- Duration
-
10 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
The Role
As an Early Years Apprentice, you will work as part of a team caring for babies and children up to the age of 5, supporting their learning, development and wellbeing through play-based experiences and everyday interactions. This is a fast-track ten-month apprenticeship programme where you will work four days per week within the nursery, gaining practical experience, and spend one day per week at our Learning Hub undertaking structured learning towards your Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. Throughout the programme, you will receive ongoing support from experienced colleagues and apprenticeship specialists, helping you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence required to become a qualified Early Years professional.
Why Choose This Apprenticeship?
This apprenticeship is designed for individuals who are ready to commit to developing a professional career in Early Years. Through a combination of classroom learning, workplace experience and dedicated support, you will develop the skills and knowledge required to work as a qualified Early Years Educator while making a positive difference to young children's lives every day.
Where you'll work
Bright Horizons
6 Tibbs Road, Haddenham
Aylesbury
HP17 8FH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
INSPIRO LEARNING 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
You will work four days per week within the nursery, gaining practical experience, and spend one day per week at our Learning Hub undertaking structured learning towards your Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4)
- Maths (grade C/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
- Willingness to learn
- Ability to build relationships
- Commitment
Other requirements
Please be aware 1 day a week you will be required to travel to our Oxford Learning Hub at Bright Horizons St Mary's Abingdon Day Nursery and Preschool OX14 1AA.
Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.
You must have lived in the UK for the last three years.
About this employer
With decades of experience, and around 270 community and workplace nurseries, we’re passionate about supporting families with the daily work-life juggle. In our nurseries, our team of dedicated professionals fill children’s days with fun and inspiring learning experiences and the simple joys of childhood.
https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Childcare discount of 40% for first child*
- Enhanced parental leave
- 31 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays and paid Christmas closure, with the option to purchase additional leave*
- Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages and more
- Professional development opportunities and long-term career progression within Bright Horizon
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Opportunity of a full time position on completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
INSPIRO LEARNING LIMITED
Debbie Pennington
debbie.pennington@inspirolearning.co.uk
0116 504 0275
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000063074.
Apply now
Closes in 24 days (Thursday 3 December 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.