Early Years Educator Apprentice Level 3

YMCA ST PAULS GROUP

London (W5 5RE)

Closes in 24 days (Sunday 15 March 2026)

Posted on 16 February 2026

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Summary

YMCA(SPG) is looking to recruit an Apprentice Nursery Early Years Educator to work in a medium-sized setting in South Ealing, for children from 6 months to 5 years. To provide a safe and stimulating environment for children under 5 through a range of appropriate activities, ensuring that they are age and stage appropriate and linked to the EYFS 2021.

Wage

£19,094 a year

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

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 March 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

Activity Provision

  • Provide a safe and stimulating environment for children under 5 through a range of appropriate activities, ensuring that they are age and stage appropriate and link to the EYFS 2021.
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with their key children and the wider group.
  • Take an active role in planning and evaluating activities, focusing on the prime areas/specific areas/Characteristics of Effective Learning as stipulated in the EYFS 2021.
  • Ensure that behaviour management strategies are consistent with those of the organisation and the Early Years Foundation Stage 2021.
  • Relate to, and communicate effectively with parents and carers regarding
  • the setting and care of their child.
  • Help promote effective teamwork in conjunction with other staff and volunteers.
  • To complete registers at the beginning of each session.

Health and Safety

  • Be aware of health and safety procedures at all times.
  • Complete daily health and safety check lists and bring to the attention of the Room Leader any defective equipment.
  • Ensure each child is within sight and hearing at all times.

Where you'll work

YMCA St Paul's Group Nursery, 25 St Mary's Road
London
W5 5RE

Training

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

Training provider

CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

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

  • Full L3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard.
  • Paediatric First Aid Certificate.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Team working
  • Patience
  • Customer care skills
  • Communication skills

Other requirements

6-hour shift, including a paid half-hour break. Elements of outdoor working in all weathers (supporting children in the outdoor area). Enhanced DBS.

About this employer

YMCA St Paul’s Group (SPG) is the largest YMCA in Europe and a leading provider of supported housing in London and beyond, providing a safe place to stay to about 1,200 young and vulnerable people each night. We provide housing and support to those in need of a place to call home and support them with services that empower them to build a positive future. We support children, young people and families to be safe, healthy, connected and confident. We bring people together by encouraging them to be healthy, physically and mentally. We help nurture an environment where people of all faiths and none have the opportunity to understand and express the love of God. We empower our residents, staff and users by providing them with excellent service and welcoming properties where they can thrive. We enable the Charity to respond to the future with an equipped and empowered workforce that is flexible and agile. The vision of YMCA St Paul’s group is to empower young people by providing the resources and support so they can thrive.  We wish to create inclusive, active and healthy communities where everyone can flourish.

After this apprenticeship

Opportunity to progress to a Room Leader position after 2-3 years post-qualification experience.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015954.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Sunday 15 March 2026)

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