Apprentice Early Years Educator

LITTLE THETFORD ACORNS

ELY (CB6 3HG)

Closes in 3 days (Sunday 22 February 2026)

Posted on 13 February 2026

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Contents

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join our thriving, committee-led Pre-school.

This position is expected to be full time 9.00am - 3.00pm, term time only, with 1 day per week initially allowed for training. 

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds who are looking to earn a Level 3 Early Years Education qualification.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Initial salary will be above the apprentice minimum wage and will rise to national minimum wage after one year. Hours outside of apprentice hours (for example breakfast club) will be paid at national minimum wage.

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
This position is expected to be full time, 9.00am - 3.00pm, term time only, with 1 day per week initially allowed for training. There will be further available hours should you be interested for example to cover breakfast club.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 13 April 2026

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

The purpose of the role is:

  • To provide safe, high-quality education and care for all children that attend Little Thetford Acorns
  • To fulfil legal and statutory requirements including the Early Years Foundation Stage
  • To work alongside the staff team in all our sessions including pre-school, breakfast club and after school club
  • To support in providing a stimulating and varied programme of inclusive activities and play opportunities that ensure that children are working towards their next steps in their learning
  • At all times the Apprentice Early Years Educator shall operate under the direction of the Pre-school Manager or in their absence, the Setting Deputy

A full job description is avalible on our website. 

Where you'll work

OAKFIELD
THE WYCHES
LITTLE THETFORD
ELY
CB6 3HG

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 one day a week via Best Practice Network. More information can be found at:
https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/eye-level3-apprenticeship?src=nw

or contact the office and we're happy to answer any questions.

Requirements

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
  • Patience

Other requirements

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them.

Appointment will be subject to passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

You will need a reliable way to get to setting, usually this requires a driving licence and access to a car.

About this employer

Firmly rooted in Little Thetford's local community for 50 years, Little Thetford Acorns Pre-School & Toddler Group has built up a well-regarded and proven reputation for delivering high quality, child-led care in a nurturing and friendly environment.

https://www.littlethetfordacorns.org.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

We hope you would remain with us after completion of your apprenticeship as part of our team.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015568.

Apply now

Closes in 3 days (Sunday 22 February 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.