The Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship is a 15-18 month work-based program for those working or aspiring to work in early years childcare, leading to a Level 3 qualification aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage. It includes monthly training, off-the-job learning, and an end-point assessment, supporting roles like Early Years Educator and Nursery Nurse. Apprentices receive tutor support, and funding may be available through the Apprenticeship Levy. Applications can be made with or without an employer.
The Level 3 Early Years Educator (EYE) apprenticeship is a work-based programme for people working in, or aspiring to work in, early years childcare. It typically takes 15 to 18 months and leads to the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification with full and relevant status aligned to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
What is the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship trains you to plan and provide effective care and education for children from birth to age five. You learn to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage in settings such as nurseries and childminding settings.
During the programme, you are employed in an early years setting, complete off-the-job training and earn at least the Apprentice Minimum Wage. Successful completion gives you the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification and full and relevant status.
Who is the apprenticeship for?
The apprenticeship is for people who already work in, or want to work in, early years childcare. It is a natural progression if you have a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification.
The programme can support progression into roles such as:
- Early Years Educator
- Nursery Teaching Assistant
- Nursery Nurse
- Supervisor
- Childminder
What does an Early Years Educator do?
An Early Years Educator plans learning, provides care and supports children's development from birth to age five. They can also mentor Early Years Practitioners and count towards statutory staff-to-child ratios in settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage.
What will I learn?
The Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship covers 11 core modules:
- Personal development
- Safeguarding
- Health and safety
- Child development
- Theories of play and learning
- A unique child
- Enabling environments
- Teaching, learning and assessment
- Equality, diversity and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
- Partnership working
- Transitions
Sessions also prepare you for the end-point assessment.
How is the programme delivered?
An Apprenticeship Tutor supports you through monthly in-person visits and online webinars. Training and events are delivered nationally, with tutors based across England.
You submit your work through the Bud online platform. Employers receive logins so that they can monitor your progress.
Check the Best Practice Network website for current programme start dates.
What does the monthly training include?
The Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship includes:
- Monthly online knowledge sessions
- Monthly review meetings with your tutor
- Regular observations and witness statements to demonstrate your skills and behaviours
- BPN Boost wellbeing webinars and resources for ongoing support
What is off-the-job training?
Off-the-job training is guided learning that takes place during your paid working hours and develops new knowledge and skills. You must complete at least 326 hours of off-the-job training during the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship.
During your enrolment meeting, Best Practice Network will confirm the most realistic programme duration based on your contracted working hours. This helps ensure that you can meet the off-the-job training requirement.
Do I need English and maths qualifications?
If you do not already have General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) English and maths at grade 4 or C or above, or an equivalent qualification, you can choose to complete English and maths during the programme. You and your employer should discuss and decide whether this is suitable.
Whether or not you complete English and maths during the programme, you must pass an initial English and maths assessment as part of your application.
How will I be assessed?
Your end-point assessment is conducted by an external organisation. It includes:
- A 50-minute workplace observation followed by 30 minutes of questioning
- A 90-minute professional discussion supported by a portfolio
The assessment can be delivered in your setting or by video conference. You receive preparation and mock assessments throughout the programme.
Possible end-point assessment outcomes are fail, pass, merit or distinction. If you do not pass, you may resit with your employer's agreement, and your employer is responsible for any resit costs.
What learner support is available?
Best Practice Network provides tutor support, national delivery and an individual learning plan. Reasonable adjustments are available if you have additional needs.
You also have access to the BPN Boost wellbeing programme to support you throughout the apprenticeship.
Who is eligible to apply?
There are no age restrictions for the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship. To be eligible, you need:
- Support from your employer and levy holder
- Relevant experience
- Daily interaction with children from birth to age five in a setting that delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage
- UK residency for the previous three years
If you are aged 16 to 18, you also need GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or C or above, or the ability to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 during the programme.
How is the apprenticeship funded?
The apprenticeship may be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy. Government co-funding may be available to employers that do not pay the levy, and additional incentives may apply to some small employers or apprentices.
Eligible levy-paying organisations may also be able to transfer unused levy funds to other employers. Live pledges are listed through the government's levy transfer service.
Check the Best Practice Network website for current training costs, employer contributions, funding arrangements, incentive amounts and levy transfer limits.
How do I apply if I already have an employer?
If you are already employed in an early years setting, first confirm that your employer supports your application. You can then apply through the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship page.
How do I apply if I do not have an employer?
- Browse the current apprenticeship vacancies.
- Complete the online screening process.
- If your screening is successful, Best Practice Network will send your details to employers.
If there is no vacancy near you, you can still apply and receive support to find a nearby early years setting.
How does Best Practice Network support employers?
If you want to develop an existing employee, ask them to apply through Best Practice Network's apprenticeship recruitment process.
If you want to recruit a new apprentice, submit a vacancy form. Best Practice Network will:
- Collect applications each week
- Conduct screening interviews
- Share candidate packs with you
- Support formal interviews or trials
- Help with enrolment and funding after you appoint an apprentice
[VERIFY: add the employer vacancy form link]
What is the Thrive Early Years Educator option?
The Thrive option includes all the core elements of the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship. It also includes integrated content on child development, behaviour and wellbeing, allowing you to specialise while completing the standard programme.
Do apprentices count towards staff-to-child ratios?
While training, apprentices count as Level 2 for staff-to-child ratio purposes. After successful completion, they count as Level 3, helping settings meet statutory staffing requirements under the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Where can I find the course guide?
The course guide is available from Best Practice Network's Early Years Educator Level 3 brochure page. The page also links to programme information and application options.