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Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship standard: Early Years Educator

If your passion is giving children the strongest possible start, our Early Years Educator apprenticeship is the perfect place to begin. Build a meaningful career helping children grow, learn and succeed while shaping their development through high-quality early years education.

Designed in partnership with leading education charity Ark and early years experts
Blended learning approach, including live online sessions, coaching, self-study, expert masterclasses and more
Recognised by the Department of Education and aligned to Ofsted requirements

Apprenticeship overview

Make a meaningful difference to children's development, confidence and future success.

Developed with leading education charity Ark, the Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship is a formally-recognised qualification that equips you with the skills to work with children aged 0-5 in nurseries, pre-schools and other early years education settings.

Aligned to Ofsted's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements and shaped by early years experts, the programme develops the knowledge and behaviours to build trusting relationships, foster curiosity and help children thrive in an inclusive environment. You'll learn how to:

  • Understand child development and how children learn

  • Create effective learning environments

  • Support children’s wellbeing and behaviour

  • Observe, assess and adapt support to meet each child’s unique needs

  • Apply professional practice and safeguarding

As a qualified member of staff, you'll count towards mandatory staff-to-child ratios, so you'll have immediate responsibility and start making an impact in your setting straight away.

Apprenticeship information

Duration
18 months
Start Dates
September and October
Application deadline
6 weeks before start date
Study modes
Online teaching, coaching and guided self-study
Cost
£7,000levy funded
Freefor learners
95% government funded for non-levy payers (100% funded for learners aged under 25).

Apprenticeship standard

Early Years Educator

Course structure

Months 1-5

Positive Influence in Early Years

Build relationships with children, families and colleagues to improve outcomes through teamwork.

Understanding How Children Learn

Explore brain development, play, attachment and executive function to inform effective practice.

Enabling Children to Learn

Design inclusive, child‑centred environments and deliver engaging adult‑led and child‑led learning.

Months 6-11

Professional Communication

Communicate respectfully and proactively with colleagues, families and professionals using varied methods.

Safeguarding and Safety

Protect children and staff through safeguarding, first aid, risk awareness and welfare responsibilities.

Assessing Children’s Learning

Observe, assess and identify needs using effective techniques to track children’s progress.

Months 12-15

Inclusive Support for Every Child

Deliver universal, targeted, bespoke support for diverse developmental, cultural and individual needs.

Professional Practice Essentials

Meet statutory duties across learning, assessment, safeguarding, welfare and integrating learning into practice.

Supporting Big Feelings

Help children regulate emotions using executive function strategies: pause, connect, reflect.

Months 16-18

End-point assessment

Observation with questioning and a professional discussion, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.

Need more information?

Why choose BPP?

Built with leading early years expertsCo-designed with Ark’s outstanding educator trainers and early years experts, learning is rooted in best practice and real sector needs.
Consistent, reliable deliveryBPP brings structured, high-quality training that relieves pressure on settings and gives learners the coaching they need to succeed.
Apprentices support ratios soonerLearners count towards child:adult ratios, boosting capacity and supporting continuity of care.
Recruitment supportWe help settings find the right apprentice at no cost, handling advertising, screening and shortlisting – so you can fill vacancies quickly.
Impact you’ll see immediatelyFrom safeguarding and SEND, to high-quality play, inclusive practice and food hygiene, apprentices apply their learning from day one.
A growing professional communityAccess sector insights, research and good practice through our early years community.