Level 3 Apprenticeship – Early Years Educator

Course Overview

Early Years Educators, and other job roles such as nursery nurse and childminders, are highly trained professionals who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. They work in a range of settings including full day care, children’s centres, pre-schools, reception classes and as childminders. They may either be working on their own or supervising others to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by Government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.

Entry Requirements

You will need to have achieved GCSEs at grade 9 – 4 (or comparable qualification) in English and maths. Please note, you will also be required to undertake an initial assessment prior to enrolment in order to assess your current level of English and maths. Your interviewer will discuss with you what minimum level you will need to achieve at initial assessment.

Whilst your technical skills and knowledge will develop over the course of your Apprenticeship you will also need to demonstrate to potential employers that you possess the relevant skills and personal qualities and are willing to work and learn.

Employers will look for:

• Good communication skills
• Reliable, flexible and good timekeeping
• Ability to work in a team as well as on your own initiative
• Enthusiastic and willing to learn

To begin this course you must be eligible to work within England or the European Economic Area (EEC) and be employed for a minimum of 30 hours in a relevant job role and be able to attend college on a part-time basis. Your employer must commit to supporting you throughout your apprenticeship and provide on-the-job learning as well as your college based off-the-job learning.

If you do not have an employer to support your apprenticeship the college will support you to find an employer through our dedicated employer support team.

Please note that all apprenticeships are subject to availability of space.

What the course covers

An Early Years Educator:

• Plans and supervises child initiated and adult led activities which are based around the needs and interests of each individual child
• Supports children to develop numeracy and language skills through games and play
• Has key person responsibility to help ensure each child feels safe and secure
• Observes each child and shapes their learning experience to reflect their observations
• Meets the care needs of the individual child such as feeding, changing nappies and administration of medicine
• Works in partnership with other colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals to meet the individual needs of each child

With additional experience, an Early Years Educator can become the manager of an early years setting.
Individuals will undergo all the checks as per the EYFS requirements to ensure suitability to work with children.

Fees and funding

A 5% employer contribution fee may be applicable depending on the age of the apprentice and the size of your organisation.