Early Years Educator apprenticeship

Summary

Being an apprentice at NextStep Training means earning while you learn, gaining hands-on experience and industry-recognised qualifications. You'll receive expert training, personalised support, and a clear pathway to career progression. Enjoy discounted travel, exclusive discounts at over 350 retailers and reduced council tax.

Wage

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

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Early years educator (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, timing may vary.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 26 October 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

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a nursery and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work:

• Assist in planning and delivering engaging, age-appropriate activities
• Promote learning through play in line with the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) framework
• Create a safe and stimulating environment
• Help maintain clean, safe, and welcoming learning spaces
• Follow safeguarding and health & safety procedures at all times
• Observe and monitor children's progress
• Record observations and contribute to assessments and development plans
• Share relevant information with senior staff and parents as needed
• Promote positive behaviour and social skills
• Encourage kindness, sharing, and respectful behaviour
• Use positive reinforcement and model appropriate conduct
• Assist with daily routines
• Support children during mealtimes, toileting, dressing, and nap times
• Help establish consistent routines for comfort and stability
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and parents
• Communicate effectively with team members, children, and families
• Participate in staff meetings and training sessions
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and follow data protection policies
• Follow nursery/setting policies and procedures
• Adhere to guidelines for safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and diversity
• Support in ensuring the setting meets regulatory and quality standards

Where you'll work

Putney Leisure Centre
Dryburgh Road
London
SW15 1BL

Training

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

Training provider

NEXTSTEP TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Early years educator (level 3)

What you'll learn

• 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

• An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation
• Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard

More training information

• As an apprentice, you'll receive regular training alongside your job to help you develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed for your role
• Part of your working hours will be dedicated to off-the-job training, which includes study time, workshops, and learning activities
• You'll be working to complete the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard, which will include any required Functional Skills in English and maths
• Training is delivered either online or in person at our training centre in Hackney, offering flexibility to suit your needs
• You'll be supported by experienced tutors and assessors throughout your apprenticeship, ensuring you stay on track and successfully complete your qualification
• Training will include a paediatric first aid qualification

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
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Other requirements

• Must successfully complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Please have your referees’ contact details ready