Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

A Level 3 Early Years Educator is a qualified childcare professional who supports children’s learning, development and wellbeing in an early years setting. In this role, you’ll plan activities, observe and assess children’s progress, and help create environments where children can learn through play. You’ll also work closely with colleagues and families to support each child’s development. This apprenticeship prepares you to take on greater responsibility and progress into roles such as room leader or other senior positions within early years education.

The Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship is designed for those who already have some experience working in a childcare or early years setting. Many learners progress onto this programme after completing a Level 2 qualification or working as a childcare assistant. You will need to be employed in a role where you can apply the learning from the programme in practice and commit to completing the full apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship can help you take the next step if you already work in childcare and want to build on your experience while progressing in your career. It is particularly suited to experienced childcare assistants who are ready to take on more responsibility or move into roles such as room leader whilst supporting children’s development, leading activities and improving practice in an early years setting.

You will develop the knowledge and skills needed to support children’s learning and development from birth to age eight, including understanding child development, supporting speech and communication, safeguarding children, and working effectively with families and colleagues.

Learners also have the option to complete a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification, helping them respond confidently to emergencies in early years settings.

In addition, from Month 6 of the apprenticeship, learners will have the option to complete a Level 2 Certificate in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Both qualifications are optional add-ons and will be agreed between the learner, employer and The Childcare Company before enrolment. The 12-week SEND programme helps build understanding of SEND, inclusive practice and relevant legal frameworks, while developing the skills needed to support individuals and promote inclusive environments. Upon completion, learners will achieve an accredited Level 2 TQUK qualification in SEND.

Yes. Learners have the option to complete a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid course delivered by our sister company, First Response First Aid (FRFA), alongside the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship. This optional 12-hour course meets Ofsted requirements and equips learners with essential first aid skills to confidently respond to emergencies in early years settings. Upon successful completion, learners will achieve a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification, which is valid for three years. Annual refresher training is recommended to help keep knowledge and skills up to date.

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.

This apprenticeship can help learners progress into roles such as:

• Early Years Educator
• Nursery Practitioner
• Room Leader
• Preschool Practitioner
• Senior Early Years Practitioner
• Deputy Room Leader

Many learners also progress onto a Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship to move into leadership and management roles within early years education.

This apprenticeship typically lasts 18 months. During this time, you will complete a blend of face-to-face and online learning alongside your job role and will dedicate at least six hours each week to off-the-job training, helping you build new knowledge, skills and behaviours. At the end of the programme, you’ll complete an end-point assessment to highlight your learning.

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.

Once you’ve completed the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship, you can continue to build your skills and progress your career in early years. A natural next step is to advance onto our Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship.

This programme is designed for experienced practitioners who are ready to take on a more senior role, leading practice within a setting, supporting team development and taking on greater responsibility for planning, mentoring and improving outcomes for children. It helps you develop the leadership, knowledge and confidence needed to progress into supervisory and management positions within early years education.

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.

Learners aged 16–18 who do not hold a Level 2 qualification (GCSE grade 4/C or equivalent) in Maths will be required to work towards achieving this as part of their apprenticeship.

Please note, within Early Years settings, a Level 2 qualification in English (GCSE or equivalent) is required to be counted in staff-to-child ratios under EYFS guidance.

In addition, those progressing into management roles are expected to achieve Level 2 Maths within two years of starting the role, so it is recommended this is completed during the apprenticeship.

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.