Childcare Apprenticeship - Cheltenham

Charlie Bears Childcare Limited

England (GL53 8AR)

Closes on Wednesday 9 December 2026

Posted on 4 November 2026

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Summary

Charlie Bears Childcare are looking for a new Childcare Apprentice. You will be studying toward your Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification.

• Wage:

  £12,480 to £19,827.60, depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Early years educator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday (Shifts vary between 7:30am - 5.00pm or 9.00am - 6.00pm).

  30 hours a week

• Start date:

  Wednesday 16 December 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

As an Early Years Apprentice, you will become a valued member of our friendly nursery team, supporting the care, learning and development of babies and children aged birth to 3 years.

You will work alongside experienced practitioners who will support you as you develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become a qualified Early Years Educator.

Your role will include helping to provide exciting, age-appropriate activities, supporting children's individual needs, encouraging communication and language, and creating a safe, happy and stimulating environment where every child can flourish.

You will learn about the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), safeguarding, health and safety, observations, child development and effective partnerships with parents and carers.

We are looking for someone who is caring, reliable, enthusiastic, willing to learn and able to work positively as part of a team. You should be prepared to take responsibility, use your initiative and contribute to the smooth running of the nursery.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to make a real difference to young children's lives while gaining a recognised qualification and developing a long-term career in early years education.

Day-Day Responsibilities:

• Work proactively as part of the nursery team, using initiative and taking responsibility for daily tasks without always needing to be reminded.
• Build warm, positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues, communicating professionally and respectfully at all times.
• Take an active role in setting up activities, preparing resources, tidying rooms and ensuring the environment is ready for the children.
• Contribute ideas to the team, support colleagues when needed and take pride in being a dependable and valued member of the nursery.
• Follow nursery policies and procedures, maintain confidentiality and report any safeguarding or welfare concerns promptly to the appropriate person.

Where you'll work

38 Church Street Charlton Kings
Cheltenham
England
England
GL53 8AR

Training

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

Training provider

PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS 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

At Shaping Lives, we are dedicated to one mission: helping nurseries like yours nurture future generations through high-quality early childhood education. As a trusted training provider, we specialise in developing skilled, passionate educators who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children aged 0-5.

Whether you're looking to enhance your current team's skills or recruit new talent, we’re with you every step of the way. Upon completion of this 15 month apprenticeship, you will have obtained your Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification.

Requirements

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

Skills

• Creative
• Initative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Teamworking
• Communication Skills

Other requirements

The closing date guidance, if a successful candidate is found before the advertised dates, the advert will close early.

About this employer

A new nursery in the heart of Charlton Kings offering childcare to children aged birth to 3 years. Here at Charlie Bears, we provide space where babies and toddlers are able to explore freely and confidently. In the first years of a child’s life, the prime areas are, physical, communication and language and Personal social and emotional. Our promise to you is that we are looking to give your young ones the best possible start in life, developing the characteristics of effective learning. Through high quality interactions, trusting relationships, enabling environments and consistent approaches to the individual child.

After this apprenticeship

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

There is a possibility of being offered a full time role after successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED

Shaping Lives recruitment team

apprentice.recruitment@pgon.co.uk

08004220588

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062585.

Apply now

Closes on Wednesday 9 December 2026

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