Early Years Apprenticeship (Level 3 or 5)

Summary

At Our Monkey Club, we’re more than just an early years setting. We’re a community that believes in child-directed, play-based learning, underpinned by thoughtful, evidence-based practice. We are looking for passionate apprentices who are eager to immerse themselves in this approach and become a early years professional.

Wage: £9,984 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Early years educator (level 3)
Hours: Apprenticeships require a minimum 30 hours per week, and all apprenticeships with us extend to 40 hours during your training. Working hours are between 7.00-18.00. We aim to provide consistent rotas, such as set 10-hour, 8-hour or 6 hours shifts.
30 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 3 March
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 3

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Your day will start with checking in with the Lead Practitioners to ensure you’re aware of what’s expected of you. You’ll engage in planned and spontaneous activities, both indoors and outdoors, and spend time supporting your key children and those needing additional help.
You’ll also contribute to daily routines like mealtimes, transitions, cleaning, personal care, and nap times.
You might find yourself playing in the sandpit, building castles, or exploring the garden as part of your role.
Every day is different, fun, and sometimes challenging. Alongside playful learning, you’ll be expected to manage a variety of other tasks, such as:
Supporting health, safeguarding, and parental needs.
Completing observations, assessments, learning stories, and planning for your key children.
Participating in meetings with your mentor, supervisor, or assessor.
Attending training sessions and sometimes working at different settings for additional experience.
No two days will be the same, but each day will offer exciting and enriching experiences for both you and the children.

Where you’ll work

240 Branston Road

Burton-On-Trent

DE14 3BT

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

HIT TRAINING LTD

Your training course

Early years educator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure.
Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child.
Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children.
Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support.
Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice.
Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and interests.
Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.
Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure.
Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child.
Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children.
Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support.
Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice.
Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and interests.
Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.

Your training plan

This is a full-time work-place based apprenticeship. Instead of attending college, you'll be supported by an assessment company that will provide training, monitor your progress, and help you meet the requirements for your qualification. You’ll have monthly online and in-person meetings, while all other training will take place within the centre during your workday, in supervision sessions, or during designated study time. Some work may need to be done outside of working hours depending on your pace. If you need a space to work and access to a computer, you can stay at the centre to complete your tasks.

You’ll have multiple layers of support:

A mentor within the centre who has completed the same qualification or a higher one.
A Supervisor/Manager who will meet with you regularly and support your learning pathway.
The Director team, who will assist with your training and any employment-related matters.
An assessor from the assessment company who will meet with you regularly to track your progress.
Additionally, you’ll have access to specialists in areas such as special educational needs, safeguarding, and speech and language, who will support your journey and the care you provide for the children.

More training information

How long will it take?

Your apprenticeship is funded to be completed within 24 months, including your End Point Assessment. However, at Our Monkey Club, many apprentices complete it sooner. The duration depends on your pace: if you're motivated and wish to complete it more quickly, we’ll support you. A slower pace may also suit some apprentices better, and that’s perfectly fine.

What will this qualification allow me to do?

Completing the Level 3 Early Years Educator or Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship qualifies you to work in early years settings, meeting the full and relevant qualification requirements for working with children aged 0-5 years. This qualification is not suitable if you're aiming for a career as a Teaching Assistant beyond early years or looking to gain UCAS points for university. If your goal is to work with children aged 0-5, however, this is the right pathway for you.

Can I progress to a higher qualification after completing my apprenticeship?

Yes! Our Monkey Club encourages continuous learning and development. Once you complete your Level 3 or Level 5 apprenticeship, there are further opportunities for progression, including Level 6 Pedagogic Lead or even Early Years Teacher (Post Level 6). We actively support your career growth with additional qualifications and training tailored to your interests.

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

Our children, from 9 months to 5 years, share the same learning spaces, and we maintain a genuine play-based environment with no set routines. Mealtimes are fluid, and we focus on each child’s interests to guide their learning. If you’re excited about creating playful, engaging, and developmentally rich experiences, this is the role for you.

About this company

We believe in a collaborative, child-centred approach where everyone, from apprentices to directors, plays a vital role in creating nurturing environments for children. Our culture is built around continuous learning, reflective practice, and open communication. While the work can be challenging, it is deeply rewarding, and our team is committed to supporting each other in providing the best care and education for the children.

http://www.ourmonkeyclub.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

We hope that many of our apprentices choose to stay with us after completing their apprenticeship. We often offer a full-time role as you complete your End Point Assessment, allowing you to transition into a qualified position. If you wish to continue your learning, there are pathways for Level 5, Level 6, and beyond, and we will support you in pursuing these opportunities. However, we also understand that everyone has their own career goals, and we will support you in whichever direction you choose to go.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

OUR MONKEY CLUB CIC

Diana Lawton

info@ourmonkeyclub.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000302631.

Apply now

Closes tomorrow (Monday 24 February at 11:59pm)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

Cookies on Find an apprenticeship

Contents