Level 3 Early Years Apprenticeship

CATHEDRAL VIEW CHILDCARE LTD

Cambridgeshire, Ely

Closes on Monday 30 March 2026

Posted on 10 February 2026

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Summary

The Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship with Cambridge Regional College and Cathedral View Childcare combines paid nursery work with professional training. Over around 18 months, apprentices support children aged 0 - 5, complete college-led study, and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

Wage

£14,918.80 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)

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
An apprentice at Cathedral View Childcare will work either 3 days plus their college training day, or 4 days plus their college training day, depending on their contracted hours and the needs of the nursery.

38 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 April 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

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 care, learning and development of children aged 0–5 years in line with the EYFS
  • Plan, prepare and deliver age-appropriate activities that support children’s interests and developmental needs
  • Assist with and gradually take responsibility for activity planning, observations and next steps
  • Act as a key worker for a small group of children, building secure attachments and supporting individual progress
  • Complete observations, learning journals and assessments with guidance from senior staff
  • Support daily routines including mealtimes, toileting, nappy changing and sleep routines
  • Create and maintain a safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environment
  • Promote positive behaviour and support children’s emotional wellbeing and social development
  • Communicate effectively with parents and carers, sharing information about children’s day and progress
  • Work collaboratively with the nursery team and attend staff meetings and training
  • Follow safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies at all times
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and organisation within the setting
  • Reflect on practice and engage fully with apprenticeship training and assessments

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:

  • 72 Market Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4LS
  • 90 Merivale Way, Ely, CB7 4GQ

Training

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

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL 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

  • Where training will take place: Off-the-job training will be delivered by Cambridge Regional College (CRC)
  • Training will take place either online or in college at Cambridge Regional College, depending on the week

How often training will be:

Training will take place every Friday during term time only, with delivery alternating weekly between online learning and in-college attendance at CRC

More training information

  • Cathedral View Childcare is an award-winning apprenticeship employer, recognised for its strong commitment to developing early years professionals
  • We have worked in partnership with Cambridge Regional College since 2020, successfully delivering apprenticeships across three nursery sites
  • Apprentices benefit from a well-established support structure, experienced mentors and a positive learning culture, with many progressing into qualified and senior roles within the organisation
  • Training is carefully structured to balance high-quality workplace experience with college-led study, ensuring apprentices are well supported throughout their programme and set up for long-term career success

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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

Other requirements

  • Clear Enhanced DBS Check - Performed by Employer 
  • 2 Suitable References

About this employer

Cathedral View Childcare is an award-winning early years provider committed to delivering high-quality childcare and professional development. We operate across three nursery sites and have partnered with Cambridge Regional College since 2020 to provide successful apprenticeship programmes. Our nurseries focus on creating nurturing, inclusive, and stimulating environments for children, while supporting staff through strong mentoring, training, and clear career progression pathways. We are recognised for our apprentice success, staff development, and commitment to excellence in early years education.

http://www.cathedralviewchildcare.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Benefits include a supportive, inclusive environment, paid training, mentoring, staff bonus incentives, fully paid nursery events, professional development, and clear progression with an award-winning employer across three nursery sites.

After this apprenticeship

  • After completing the Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship, apprentices can progress to fully qualified Early Years Educator roles, take on key worker or room leader positions, specialise in areas such as SEND support, or pursue further qualifications in early years leadership

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014374.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 30 March 2026