Summary
An apprenticeship in childcare is a hands-on training experience where individuals gain practical experience working whilst also studying related theory. For anyone with a passion to help children learn in creative, stimulating environments and inspire the next generation.
Wage
£11,778 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 - Friday, between 9.00am - 6.00pm.
30 hours a week
Start date
Sunday 2 November 2025
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
* To work as part of a team and assist in maintaining high childcare standards of education, inspiring the children and help in creating a stimulating environment in line with birth to five matters
* Help with the daily routine and care across the whole setting, interact with the children in an appropriate manner, to support their learning and development according to age and stage
* Record keeping, planning and child development observations need to be maintained
Where you'll work
Great Hall
High Street
Great Houghton
Northampton
NN4 7AG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE
Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
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
* Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
* Attend college 1 day per month, working toward completing the End Point Assessment
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4)
* Maths (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
* Organisation skills
* Team working