Early Years Educator - Level 3 Apprenticeship

Leicester College Nursery

Leicester (LE2 7LW)

Closes in 18 days (Sunday 22 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 29 January 2026

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Summary

Based at the Freemans Park Campus, you will contribute to a high-quality caring environment for children. Creating a warm, friendly stimulating atmosphere in which children (0-4) can develop emotionally, socially and educationally through individual attention and group activities, whilst being provided with practical on the job training.

Wage

£13,705.04 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary will increase in the 2nd year to minimum wage for age, for any apprentice over 19.

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday- Friday: Hours to be confirmed

29 hours 36 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 6 April 2026

Duration

1 year 9 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 following duties are not shown in order of priority of frequency nor is the list comprehensive, but rather an indication of the type and level of duties expected of this post.

  • Assist in the planning and delivery of engaging and developmentally appropriate activities for children
  • Support the daily care routines of children, ensuring their physical and emotional needs are met
  • Help build and maintain positive relationships with children and their families to foster a sense of belonging
  • Help maintain a safe, clean, and stimulating nursery environment that encourages exploration, learning and social interaction
  • Observe and assess children’s development and report any concerns to management
  • Ensure that all activities are carried out in accordance with health and safety and safeguarding policies and ensure that the welfare of the children is prioritised
  • Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge in early years education
  • Maintain a good standard of hygiene and safety within the nursery following health and safety guidelines and nursery procedures and encourage personal hygiene and independence, good manners and general courtesies by example and through daily activities

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • To actively promote the College’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy, encouraging parent/carer and staff awareness and participation
  • To support the College’s quality initiatives, promoting the values of the College and ensuring that outputs meet the College quality standards
  • To provide the best possible service to all customers (both internal and external) in line with the College standards

AND such other duties as are within the scope of the spirit of the job purpose, the title of the post and its grading as required.

Where you'll work

Freemens Park Campus
145 Welford Road
Leicester
LE2 7LW

Training

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

Training provider

LOUGHBOROUGH 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

  • A mixture of blended learning in the workplace and taught delivery every other Friday at the Loughborough College
  • Diarised visits from dedicated Trainer/Assessor
  • Attendance to Loughborough College for an Induction Day. (Induction to take place on the last Wednesday of the month that you are enrolled, 9:30am-3pm. Confirmation of date provided upon enrolment)
  • Attendance to Loughborough College for Functional Skills (if required)
  • On-the-job training
  • Off-the-job training

Requirements

Essential qualifications

BTEC in:

Childcare (grade Pass)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4 or above)
  • Maths (grade C/4 or above)

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
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

About this employer

At Leicester College we understand the importance nursery care plays in a child’s life. We care for children in a manner that is relaxed, friendly, stimulating and inspiring, providing them with the confidence to grow and learn at their own pace, in an environment that is safe, with people they can trust. We also believe children get the most from their time in a nursery if the people looking after them are motivated, enthusiastic and happy. As part of Leicester College, we are committed to continuous improvement through the development of our staff. Allocation of places is on a first come first served basis although parents who are students or employees of Leicester college will be given priority. Available places depend on your child’s age and sessions required. We usually have a waiting list and application does not guarantee a place until we confirm it. Waiting list applications will need to be kept updated by the applicant to ensure contact details are current. Careful consideration is also given to children who are disabled or have any additional learning needs or particular requirements, and learners experiencing great difficulties with childcare.

https://leicestercollege.ac.uk/commercial-services/nurseries (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • Job at the end of training for the right candidate

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000349403.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Sunday 22 February 2026 at 11:59pm)