Early Years Apprentice - Bristol area

HAPPY DAYS UK LTD

Bristol (4 available locations)

Closes in 18 days (Friday 28 August 2026)

Posted on 6 August 2026

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Contents

Summary

Are you aspiring to build a career in childcare? Happy Days is a growing business which offers development progression, different areas of the workforce you can branch out into and work toward recognised qualification. Happy Days ensure they are delivering outstanding childcare to every child in every setting everyday.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday 40 hour week. Shifts to be agreed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 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

Happy Days Nursery is a nurturing space where children can thrive. They are looking for a Nursery Apprentice who has a passion to work with children and would like to undertake a level 3 qualification. If you are hardworking, have a friendly nature with a positive outlook we would like to hear from you. This role will require you to travel between 5 locations in Patchway, Thornbury, Filton, Bradley Stoke and Yate so you will need to be a car driver.

Role Purpose:

  • Ensure the welfare and safety of children is promoted and report safeguarding issues and concerns to the person in charge.
  • Support the planning and delivery of purposeful play activities in line with the early years foundation stage.
  • Work with parents, colleagues and other agencies to ensure children’s individual needs are met.
  • Support the children to understand healthy life choices through engaging play activities.
  • Take an active role in seeking out continuous professional development opportunities during the apprentices programme and beyond.
  • Communication and knowledge of child development to engage with children and support those requiring additional support.
  • Support children who are experiencing transitions such as moving to school or birth of a sibling, using your knowledge of the children to support them.
  • Carry out respectful care routines such as feeding, nappy changing and dental care.
  • Take an active part in the completion of their apprenticeship, meeting deadlines set by their trainer assessor and working with the dedicated mentor to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours.
  • Support children’s numeracy, literacy and language through a range of play activities and opportunities.

In return, we offer a wide range of benefits including:

  • Pay rate £10.85 (18-20) and 21plus is £12.71
  • 50% childcare discount
  • Fully funded Blue Light Card Membership
  • Life Assurance
  • Christmas On Us - up to 4 gifted days off during Christmas closedown
  • An extensive range of health and well-being services through the SPARK APP
  • Structured training, mentoring, and a clear career progression pathway all of which will support your CPD

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:

  • Unit 3, Chessel Drive, Patchway, Bristol, BS34 5UZ
  • 2 Cooper Road, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 3UP
  • Almondsbury Business Centre, Woodlands, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 4QH
  • Dowsell Way, Yate, Bristol, BS37 7EB

Training

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

Training provider

REALISE LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT 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

Your full role and responsibilities will be set out by your employer. They will provide you with all of the on-the-job training you need to up-skill in your role. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard.

You will be working towards the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard, which includes:

  • Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
  • Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid
  • Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if required)

This will be delivered by your dedicated training provider, Realise.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE 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

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

A DBS check will be required as well as referencing. You will need to be a car driver to be able to travel between 5 locations.

About this employer

Over 30 years experience in childcare and education, providing inspiring childcare, where every child shines.

After this apprenticeship

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

Continued development and progression.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

REALISE LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046693.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Friday 28 August 2026)

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