Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain your full and relevant Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification whilst being paid a wage!

No college to attend; hands on experience.

What you'll do

• Support children of different ages, stages of development, and abilities, ensuring they feel safe, valued, and included
• Help create a positive, stimulating, and well-prepared learning environment
• Encourage children's independence, confidence, and curiosity through play and everyday activities
• Support daily routines including mealtimes, personal care, sleep routines, and outdoor play
• Observe and support children's learning, development, and well-being
• Build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues
• Work alongside experienced staff who will provide guidance and support throughout your apprenticeship
• Promote a safe, caring, and nurturing environment where children can thrive

Training

What You'll Gain:

• A Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification
• Valuable hands-on experience in a nursery environment
• Support and mentoring from experienced early years professionals
• Online learning delivered by Best Practice Network
• The opportunity to build a long-term career in early years education, with potential for a permanent role

After the apprenticeship

• Potential to progress to full-time or level 5

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Qualifications

• Desired: GCSE, English (grade 4 / C)
• Desired: GCSE, Maths (grade 4 / C)

Things to consider

• Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

About the employer

The heart of Ladybird Nurseries is simple: we provide a genuine home-from-home environment. Run by the same family since 1995, we believe the best foundation for a child is built on trust, warmth, and decades of experience. Our family ethos is expressed through partnership — by working closely with every family, we create a secure, nurturing space that allows each child the confidence and opportunity to thrive and fulfil their unique potential.

Ladybird Nurseries began in 1995. Inspired by her son Eshan's positive experience at our Anerley setting, Priya took over the nursery that year. She was soon driven to expand, opening our Beckenham nursery in 1997, guided by a commitment to personal, family-led care.

As both settings gained an excellent local reputation, Eshan joined his mother after university to help grow the Ladybird group. Together, they opened Ladybird Penge in 2017 and Ladybird Thornsett in 2020.

Our commitment to quality, supportive care continues to drive us forward. For this latest stage of growth, the family team expanded further: Eshan was joined by his wife Rusika, his brother Rohan, and his sister-in-law Serena. Together, this expanded team is delighted to announce the opening of two new exceptional nurseries at the end of 2025: Ladybird Bromley and Ladybird Chalfont.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Early years educator (level 3), Education and early years
• Apprenticeship level: Advanced (level 3)
• Training provider: BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED
• Expected duration: 1 Year 6 Months
• Hours: 40 hours a week. Working week: Various shift patterns across Monday to Friday, between 7:30am and 6:30pm.
• Start date: 2 December 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: £16,640 a year