Early Years Apprentice

Summary

To work as part of the team and model practitioner practice to provide a positive, stimulating environment so everyone feels happy, safe, comfortable and valued. To have awareness of the holistic needs of children, supporting stimulating experiences to encourage independence and learning whilst working within statutory and regulatory requirements.

Wage

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Wages will be based on 52.2 weeks.

Training course

Early years educator (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday between 7.50am - 5.30pm with three shift patterns. End point assessment to be completed after 18 months has elapsed.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

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

Along with other team members, ensure the ethos of the Centre is fulfilled
Assist the Childcare Manager in the provision of full care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years
Put into practice the Childcare Service Policies
Undertake simple daily domestic duties and follow room routines as required
To ensure proper maintenance and high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, safety of toys and equipment in use. e.g. cleansing of equipment, laundry, health and safety requirements
To assist with the supervision and simple preparation of snacks and meals as required
To ensure the physical wellbeing of all children by meeting individual care needs e.g. nappy changing, toilet training
Administer first aid (if holder of a current valid First Aid Certificate) and administer prescribed medicines, where required
To plan, implement and evaluate activities to provide an effective learning environment, working towards the Early Years Foundation Stage and Out of School standards as appropriate. With guidance / working alongside the Childcare Service Team
Interact and communicate positively with children in ways which focus on their learning potential of the individual child
Carry out all activities within an equal opportunities and inclusive learning environment
Observe and plan for children’s individual needs, recording progress and achievements in their digital learning journeys with guidance and working alongside the childcare team
To undertake appropriate continuous professional development in fulfilling the requirements of the Apprenticeship Scheme, this includes attending College on a weekly basis
Meeting with Childcare Manager / Mentor on a monthly basis to review progress and achievements and identify areas to develop
Planning and carry out work-based assessments with an assessor
To attend and participate in team meetings
Maintain confidentiality at all times
To undertake any other duties as required by management, commensurate with the grade of the post
To comply with all College Policies and Procedures in particular those relating to Finance, Personnel, Health and Safety, and Equal Opportunities

Where you'll work

Central Park
Haughton Road
Darlington
DL1 1DR

Training

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

College or training organisation

DARLINGTON COLLEGE

Your 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.

Your training plan

Level 3 Early Years Educator - 4 days with employer and day release at college
Location - Darlington College, Darlington
Working 5 days per week inclusive of 1 day release for study at Darlington College

Apprentices must successfully complete a first aid qualification in line with the requirements of the EYFS Framework (Annex A): Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Early years educator / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4/C)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths (grade 4/C)

Other in:

First Aid (grade Pass)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Non judgemental
Patience
Committed to Safeguarding
Warm personality
Enthusiastic
Friendly and approachable

Other requirements

Please note that in line with UK apprenticeship regulations, you must have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England. This should cover the entire expected term of learning and residency should be held for a minimum of 3 years, exceptions may apply please see Apprenticeship funding rules for full guidance.

About this company

Here at Darlington College we provide a huge variety of courses to suit the ambitions of every single student. Whether you are leaving school, considering a return to education, looking to enhance your career development, an employer seeking training for your employees, or simply want to learn for fun – we have a course for you. Darlington College is at the heart of the local community and we strive to serve the community’s educational needs. We have forged strong relationships with partners to enhance our offering, most notably Teesside University – a relationship which has brought Higher Education to your doorstep.

https://darlington.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

There may be an opportunity to secure a long term position after successful completion of the apprenticeship.

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