Level 3 Early Years Educator (Men in Childcare Pathway)

The Level 3 Early Years Educator (Men in Childcare Pathway) Apprenticeship is an advanced childcare apprenticeship designed for men who want to build a successful career in early years education and childcare. Delivered in partnership with Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs, the programme has been created to help address the gender imbalance within the childcare sector by championing the role of men in nurseries and schools.

Early Years Educators support children’s learning, development and wellbeing from birth to 5 years old in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This apprenticeship is ideal for male childcare assistants, nursery practitioners and early years staff who want to take on more responsibility, progress into room leader positions or eventually move into leadership and management roles within childcare settings.

Learners should already have some experience working within an early years environment and be employed in a role where they can apply their learning in practice throughout the apprenticeship.

As part of the Men in Childcare pathway, learners also benefit from specialist mentorship, networking opportunities, guest speaker sessions and career support designed specifically to encourage and support men working within early years education.

The Level 3 Early Years Educator (Men in Childcare Pathway) Apprenticeship typically lasts 18 months. During this time, learners complete a blend of online learning, face-to-face training, workplace activities and one-to-one support while continuing to work within their childcare role.

Our delivery model has been designed to be flexible and to fit around the needs and working patterns of learners in early years settings.

Instead of traditional monthly masterclasses, learners will take part in Spotlight Sessions — flexible, engaging digital learning experiences that replace taught sessions. These are designed to be completed at your own pace and provide interactive, high-quality content that can be accessed anytime and anywhere to support your learning.

Learners will also have access to the “Ask the Expert” podcast series, delivered quarterly. These episodes provide expert insight into key sector topics, real-world examples, and reflective practice from experienced professionals. They also include answers to apprentice questions, helping you connect your learning directly to your workplace practice.

Throughout the programme, learners are supported by a dedicated development coach who will provide ongoing guidance, feedback, and support to help you progress and apply your learning effectively in your role.

To undertake this apprenticeship, learners must have been a UK, EEA or EU resident for at least the last three years. Learners aged 16–18 who do not already hold a Level 2 qualification (GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent) in Maths and English will be required to work towards these as part of their apprenticeship.

For learners aged 19 and above, Functional Skills in Maths and English are optional and not mandatory to complete the programme, but this must be discussed and agreed with the employer before starting the apprenticeship.

Please note that within Early Years settings, a Level 2 English qualification is required to count in staff-to-child ratios under EYFS guidance, and Level 2 Maths is recommended for those progressing into management roles.

Functional Skills are nationally recognised qualifications in Maths and English that help learners develop practical skills used in the workplace and everyday life. These qualifications support areas such as communication, problem-solving, reading, writing and numeracy.

The Childcare Company understands that completing Functional Skills in Maths and English alongside your apprenticeship can feel daunting at first, as well as time consuming. That’s why we provide enhanced support to make the process as straightforward and efficient as possible.

We’ve partnered with Pass Functional Skills (PASS) to give you access to a new, improved online learning platform designed to help you achieve your qualifications more quickly and with greater confidence.

Through this platform, you’ll benefit from a clear and structured learning journey, including a diagnostic assessment to identify your starting point, personalised learning pathways, and high-quality interactive resources. You’ll also have access to bite-sized learning modules, practice questions, mock assessments, and progress tracking tools to help you stay on track.

Alongside this, you will continue to receive support from your tutor or development coach throughout your apprenticeship, ensuring you have guidance, feedback and encouragement at every stage of your Functional Skills journey.

The Men in Childcare pathway is delivered in partnership with Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs, an organisation focused on increasing gender diversity within the early years sector.

Through this partnership, learners benefit from specialist mentorship from experienced male educators, networking opportunities, and additional career support. This helps build confidence, develop practical skills and encourages progression within a more inclusive and diverse early years workforce.

You will typically need some experience working in a childcare or early years setting, such as a role as a childcare assistant. Many learners progress onto this programme after completing a Level 2 qualification or gaining hands-on experience in the sector. You will also need to be employed in a role where you can apply what you learn in practice and commit to completing the full apprenticeship programme.

During the Level 3 Early Years Educator (Men in Childcare Pathway) Apprenticeship, learners develop the advanced knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing within early years settings.

Learners will also explore topics linked to gender diversity and inclusion within childcare through specialist guest speaker sessions, networking opportunities and mentorship from experienced male educators. These sessions help learners build confidence, challenge stereotypes and develop as positive role models within early years education.

As part of the apprenticeship, learners also have access to optional additional qualifications designed to further enhance their professional development.

Learners may choose to complete a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification delivered by our sister company, First Response First Aid (FRFA), part of the Impact Futures Group. This optional 12-hour course meets Ofsted requirements and equips learners with the practical skills needed to confidently respond to emergencies involving babies and young children in early years settings.

Learners may also have the opportunity to complete an optional Level 2 Certificate in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This 12-week programme develops understanding of SEND conditions, inclusive practice and legal frameworks while helping learners build the skills needed to support children with additional needs within early years environments. Upon successful completion, learners will achieve an accredited Level 2 TQUK qualification in SEND, further enhancing their career opportunities within childcare and early years education.

Off-the-job training is structured learning that takes place during your paid working hours but is separate from your normal day-to-day duties. You’re required to complete a minimum of six hours per week of this training to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for your apprenticeship. Activities can include online learning, workshops, research, mentoring and other development tasks relevant to your role.

You can also use our Learner Enrichment Calendar to help plan and log suitable off-the-job activities that count towards your training hours, giving you a variety of ways to grow your skills throughout the programme.

All off-the-job training hours must be recorded on your e-portfolio system, Aptem, to ensure your progress is tracked throughout your apprenticeship.

For the learner, there is no cost.

For employers, the cost depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy:

• Levy-paying employers: You can use your apprenticeship levy funds to cover the full cost of the programme. These funds are accessed through your digital apprenticeship service account.
• Non-levy employers: The government will fund 95% of the training cost, meaning you only pay the remaining 5%. Based on the £5,000 funding band, this equates to just £250.

This makes apprenticeships a highly cost-effective way to develop your workforce, with the majority of training costs covered through government support.

Upon successful completion of the programme and End-Point Assessment (EPA), learners will achieve a Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship and a Level 3 qualification aligned to the apprenticeship standard.

These qualifications demonstrate that learners have developed the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to work independently within early years settings while supporting children’s learning and development in line with the EYFS framework.

Learners who choose to complete the optional Level 3 Paediatric First Aid Course will also achieve a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification delivered by First Response First Aid (FRFA).

In addition, learners who complete the optional SEND programme will achieve an accredited Level 2 TQUK qualification in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), helping strengthen their understanding of inclusive practice and supporting children with additional needs.

Yes. Apprentices are employees and are entitled to paid holidays and workplace benefits in the same way as other members of staff. Holiday entitlement will normally be outlined within your employment contract and may vary depending on your employer and working hours. Most apprentices are entitled to at least 20 days of paid holiday per year plus bank holidays.

As an apprentice, you will earn a wage while gaining valuable experience and working towards a recognised early years qualification. Apprentices are also entitled to workplace rights including rest breaks and a safe working environment.

Qualified Early Years Educators can work in a variety of childcare and education settings, including:

• Day nurseries
• Preschools
• Nursery schools
• Reception classes
• Childminding settings
• Children’s centres
• Private childcare settings

This gives learners the opportunity to build experience supporting children across a range of early years environments while developing a rewarding career in childcare and education.

After completing the Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship, learners can progress into a range of childcare and early years roles, including:

• Early Years Educator
• Nursery Practitioner
• Senior Nursery Practitioner
• Room Leader
• Preschool Practitioner
• Teaching Assistant
• SEND Support roles within early years settings

This apprenticeship also creates opportunities to progress onto higher-level childcare and leadership qualifications, including Level 4 and Level 5 apprenticeships within early years, SEND and management pathways.

Many learners choose to progress onto the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship, which focuses on leadership, mentoring and supporting high-quality practice within early years settings. This advanced pathway is ideal for experienced practitioners looking to move into senior, supervisory or specialist roles within childcare and education.

Learners may also continue their professional development through specialist pathways such as SEND support, leadership and management, mentoring or wider children and young people’s services.