Early Years Educator Apprenticeship
The Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard is an 18-month programme designed to develop confident, professional practitioners who deliver high-quality early childhood education and care. Apprentices learn to support children’s development through structured play, including nature-based and outdoor learning approaches that enrich children’s curiosity, physical development, wellbeing and early learning experiences.
How it Works
Ideal for learners working in early years settings — such as nurseries, preschools, reception classes and forest schools developing their practice with children up to 5. Learning is a blend of workplace-based training, practical skills development and structured study, designed to fit around normal working patterns and reflect real practice.
Learner Information
Early Years Educators play a vital role in providing safe, inclusive and stimulating environments that support all areas of child development. Apprentices will work alongside experienced practitioners to:
Apprentices will gain a recognised Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification which enables them to be counted in statutory staff:child ratios under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Early Years Educator Curriculum
The Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard covers core knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for effective practice, including:
Child Development and Learning
Expected patterns of development from birth to 5 years and apply this understanding to support learning through play — including in nature environments and through outdoor play.
Planning and
Reflective Practice
Design engaging, developmentally appropriate activities; reflect on practice to continually improve children’s experiences.
Inclusive
Practice
Promote diversity, equality and inclusion so that every child has opportunities to learn and thrive.
Outdoor and Nature-Based Practice
Use natural environments to enrich learning, encouraging curiosity, risk-managed exploration and physical development through outdoor play.
Communication and
Collaboration
Work effectively with children, teams, parents and other professionals.
Professional
Conduct
Safeguarding, ethical practice, teamwork, resilience and commitment to ongoing professional development.
Skills Development and Optional Extras
To support apprentices’ practical competence, Channel Training offers a skills development package aligned to the apprenticeship (optional).
This may include additional workshops or courses — for example, outdoor play facilitation, forest school ideas, observation tools and reflective practice sessions — designed to enrich practice in nature-based settings.
Paediatric First Aid or Emergency Paediatric First Aid, which is needed for the standard, is included as part of the programme. This apprenticeship aligns with the Department for Education for full and relevant training at Level 3. To count within the ratios at level 3, staff holding an Early Years Educator qualification must also have achieved a suitable level 2 qualification in English.
Need More Information?
For full details of the apprenticeship standard and requirements, visit the Skills England website or contact our team.