Apprentice Level 3 Early Years Educator

GOOD TIME CHILDCARE LIMITED

Whitley Bay (NE26 2NW)

Closes in 15 days (Friday 10 July 2026)

Posted on 23 June 2026

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Summary

Rainbow Childcare caters for children from birth to five years of age and older in a single storey building with suitable disabled access and a large outdoor play area. A safe, happy and stimulating environment has been created to provide each child with the best possible start in life.

• Wage:

  £21,736 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  38 hours per week, flexible shifts between 7:30am and 6pm

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

  38 hours a week

• Start date:

  Sunday 19 July 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 3 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

Rainbow Childcare caters for children from birth to five years of age and older in a single storey building with suitable disabled access and a large outdoor play area. A safe, happy and stimulating environment has been created to provide each child with the best possible start in life.

All aspects of the running of the nursery and your child’s individual needs will be discussed with you personally. We provide flexible childcare and will attempt to accommodate your personal requirements for your child’s attendance at Rainbow Childcare. We are graded as OUTSTANDING by Ofsted.

Are you passionate about making a difference in children’s lives? We are excited to offer an Early Years Educator Apprenticeship (Level 3) where you can earn while you learn and grow your career in a rewarding and supportive environment.

We are partnered with welcoming nurseries and early years settings across the Tyne Valley and the surrounding areas, all looking for caring, motivated, and dedicated apprentices to join their teams.

Typical Duties Could Include:

• Supporting children’s learning and development through play.
• Assisting with feeding, personal care, and daily routines.
• Creating a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment.
• Observing and recording children’s progress.

Working alongside experienced early years professionals.

You'll complete your Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification with the support of Skills North East’s expert tutors, combining classroom learning with on-the-job training.

Who are we looking for?

• We're looking for candidates who:
• Have a genuine passion for working with children.
• Are caring, patient and enthusiastic.
• Are reliable, well-organised, and eager to learn.

Company benefits:

• Employee mentoring programme.
• Annual leave increases with length of service.
• Paid lunch breaks.
• Birthday bonuses.
• SMART pension scheme.
• Recognised Better Health at Work Award company.
• Annual staff training day.
• Free Uniform.
• Free training.
• Reward and Recognition policy for all staff.
• Discounted childcare for staff.
• Lots of opportunities to learn and progress within the company.

Desired skills:

• DBS Check required.
• 2x References.
• Full UK driving licence preferred but not essential due to location.
• Monday to Friday with flexible shifts between 7:30am to 6pm.

Where you'll work

Rockliffe Hall, Rockliffe Street
Whitley Bay
NE26 2NW

Training

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

Training provider

SKILLS NORTH EAST 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

Weekly theory classes online with a Skills North East Tutor and practical work every 4 weeks with a Skills North East tutor. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4-9)
• Maths (grade 4-9)

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

Skills

• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Team working
• Customer care skills
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Other requirements

• DBS Check required.
• 2x References.
• Full UK drivers' licence preferred but not essential due to location.
• Hold GCSE Grade 4/C or above in Maths and English.
• Have experience of working within a nursery setting.
• Hold a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification (preferred).

About this employer

Rainbow Childcare caters for children from birth to five years of age and older in a single storey building with suitable disabled access and a large outdoor play area. A safe, happy and stimulating environment has been created to provide each child with the best possible start in life.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Growth within the company after completing the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SKILLS NORTH EAST LIMITED

Cathryn Hindess

cathryn@sne.org.uk

0191 250 4590

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038760.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Friday 10 July 2026)

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