Early Years Apprenticeship

Training

Your full role and responsibilities will be set out by your employer.

NextStep Training will provide you with all of the on-the-job training you need to up-skill in your role, and your 20% off-the-job learning will be incorporated as part of your working day.

You will be working towards the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard, which includes:

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if required)

Qualifications required:

Knowledge of the statutory framework for the EYFS and regulatory requirements – Desirable Fluent in written and spoken English – Essential Passionate about learning and developing into a new role – Essential

Skills required:

Great communication skills Excellent organisational skills Ability to work as part of a team Creative thinker Passionate and reliable

Training:

Training is delivered through a flexible combination of in-person sessions at our training centre and online learning with our experienced tutors. Apprentices will use the Laser Learning platform to complete and submit coursework, monitor their progress, and stay engaged throughout their programme. Attendance for monthly lessons is required.

Training Outcome:

Completing a Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship opens the door to a wide range of opportunities in the Early Years sector. With this qualification, individuals become fully qualified practitioners, capable of working independently with children in nurseries, preschools, and reception classes.

As they gain experience, they may progress into more senior roles such as:

Senior Practitioner or Room Leader – overseeing a team within a room, leading planning and observation, and supporting less experienced colleagues. Deputy Nursery Manager – supporting the nursery manager in daily operations, compliance, safeguarding, and staff development. Nursery Manager – leading the entire nursery setting, ensuring high standards of care and education, team performance, and regulatory compliance.

To support continued growth, NextStep Training offers the following advanced qualifications within Early Years:

Level 4 Early Years Advanced Practitioner-
Ideal for those who want to specialise in areas such as SEND, safeguarding, or early language development. This course enhances practice and supports progression into leadership. Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner-
Designed for experienced practitioners ready to take on leadership roles within their settings. It focuses on leading day-to-day practice, mentoring staff, and contributing to strategy and curriculum development.

Both qualifications can be delivered flexibly, either online or in-person, and include dedicated support from our experienced tutors and safeguarding officers.

Further progression can include:

Moving into school-based roles such as Teaching Assistant or SEND Support Becoming a Trainer, Assessor, or Mentor for apprentices Pursuing a Foundation Degree or BA in Early Childhood Studies, leading towards Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Our structured training and support ensure that every apprentice has a clear and achievable pathway to long-term success in the Early Years sector.

Employer Description:
Next Step Training Ltd is an apprenticeship and skills training provider, funded by the Department for Education, delivering apprenticeships in London and across England. We have been in operation since 2012 and during this time have built an established reputation as a reliable and employer-led training provider. We work together with employers and individual learners to design and deliver training programmes that meets both learners and their employers’ needs. Our goal of is to empower as many individuals as possible to reach their full potential, helping them on their journey to find meaningful career that is rewarding. We help to empower businesses with industry-expert staff so they can provide the very best learning experience to their workforce to perform better.

Working Hours :
Monday to Friday, varied shifts between 6:30am - 6:00pm. No weekends.

Skills:
Organisation skills,Team working,Creative,Initiative,Non judgemental,Patience