Childcare Apprenticeship

Summary

An Early Years Apprenticeship combines practical experience with training to learn how to care for and support children’s learning and development. Apprentices work in settings such as nurseries, helping plan activities, keep children safe and support their individual needs while working towards a recognised qualification.

Wage

£15,704 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

Woodlands Early Learning Southampton is open all year-round; from 07.30 to 18:00 Monday to Friday The successful candidate will be required to work 38 hours per week, over 4 days and shift patterns will be discussed

37 hours 45 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 December 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

To work as a member of the nursery team to ensure that all children attending the setting receive high quality care, are kept safe and receive rich and stimulating play experiences which meet their individual needs and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

• To establish an initial relationship with the parent/carers through induction visits.
• Observe, support and extend children’s learning.
• Plan appropriately for children using the Early Years Foundation
• Stage (EYFS) curriculum for guidance.
• Complete children’s developmental records using, ‘Tapestry’ and routinely monitor to ensure children are making adequate progress.
• Maintain accurate and effective children’s records and carry out Parents Evening twice a year.
• Work in partnership with parents/carers and other family members.
• Demonstrate good practice with regard to inclusion and equality and diversity.
• Work with the Childcare and Education team to continuously improve the quality of childcare and education.
• Ensure that the nutritional needs of the children are met and that
• Food Safety Regulations are complied with.
• Work with area INCOs, EYFS advisors and Health Professionals where necessary.
• Comply with the statutory framework for the EYFS or relevant statutory regulations for Scotland and Wales: relevant legislation including the Children Act 1989 and 2004.
• Develop and maintain highly professional working relationships with advisory teachers, schools, area INCOs and other agencies that may visit the setting.
• Learn about current developments in childcare and education policy and practice.
• Be a key person carrying out all related responsibilities in building relationships with a small group of children and their families.
• Complete parents evening reports, 2 year check assessments and setting liaising forms where necessary.

Where you'll work

108 BARNES LANE
SARISBURY GREEN
SOUTHAMPTON
SO31 7BJ

Training

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

Training provider

SHOOTS 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

Training will be at the setting

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• english (grade C/4 or above)
• Maths (grade C/4 or above)

early years level 2 in:

early years (grade pass)

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
• Customer care skills
• Creative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Other requirements

Pass a enhanced DBS