L3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship
95% Government Funded + £350 Employer Contribution
4.9
Apprenticeship Overview
Blended Learning
Apprenticeship Organisation
Duration 8 - 18 months
What Will You Learn:
Health, Safety & Wellbeing of Children
Learn about the legislation and guidance which governs Early Years. Plan and implement physical care plans & promote healthy lifestyles.
Understanding Child Development
Theory and philosophical approaches, supporting children through transitions, self regulation, holistic development and ensuring the EYFS requirements are met.
Communication with Children
Promoting positive behaviour, enabling play environments, support developing speech, language & communication, numeracy and literacy development.
Safeguarding in a Childcare setting
Understanding legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures including online safety and Prevent Duty within the Early Years setting.
Role of the Practitioner
Know the importance of continuous professional development and becoming a reflective practitioner, including how to develop personal development plans to support career progression.
Working in Partnership
Understanding the principles of partnership working in relation to current frameworks. Ensuring equality, diversity & inclusion including cultural capital.
Working with Additional Needs
Understanding the role of early intervention to identify children’s needs and strategies in supporting children.
Entry Requirements
- Working in an Early Years setting to be able to meet work experience requirements for the ages of 0-5 years
- Have lived in the UK or EEA/EU for the last 3+ years (with a valid form of ID).
- 16 years of age and over and not receiving other government funding (e.g. for college or university).
- There are no specific entry requirements however learners should have a minimum of level two in literacy and numeracy or equivalent.
- There is not a requirement for learners to have GCSE grades A*–C in English prior to commencing this qualification however learners should be aware that this is a requirement of the EYFS to attain EYE status.
How You Will Study
Online Learning
Ongoing Support
Off-the-job training
Apprenticeship Assessment
During your apprenticeship, you’ll use our e-Portfolio system, Bud. This personalised platform provides easy access to your assessment plans and supports an enjoyable, interactive learning experience.
We have included a wide range of engaging resources, including videos, case studies, quizzes, and interactive tools, designed to keep you motivated and track progress every step of the way.
As an apprentice, you’ll be supported by a dedicated Development Coach who will guide you throughout your learning journey. They’ll deliver monthly teaching sessions both online and through in-person visits to your nursery.
You’ll also have regular progress reviews with your Development Coach and employer to set goals, track your development, and ensure you’re progressing in your role and personal growth.
Your Development Coach will set and assess your work, provide personalised feedback, and help you prepare for your Apprenticeship Assessment.
Off-the-job training is a government requirement and must take place during your normal paid working hours. It’s an essential part of your apprenticeship, designed to help you build the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed for your role and further career progression.
This training includes a wide range of planned learning activities, such as online teaching sessions, in-house training, workplace assessments, supervisions, work-based tasks, and projects. The idea is to gain new experiences and develop professionally beyond your day-to-day duties.
You are assessed as part of the apprenticeship assessment to ensure you develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to enable you to become a fully qualified Early Years Educator.
The Assessment includes:
- An observation of practice with a Q&A session
- A professional discussion with an Independent End Point Assessor
- Portfolio of work
You’ll be fully supported and well-prepared for this stage, including mock assessments to help you feel ready for success.
Combine a Montessori qualification
- Full & Relevant L3 Early Years Educator (TQUK)
- Montessori Diploma (CPD Accredited) qualifies you as a Montessori Teacher
- Study online with flexible access while working in an Early Years setting
- Learn how to use Montessori materials at our Apparatus Workshop
Apprenticeship Funding
- The government will pay 95% of the cost.
- Non-Levy employers (under 50 staff members) will need to pay the remaining 5% employer contribution (£350)
- Combine with the Montessori Diploma for only an additional £1,500 (inclusive of Montessori Apparatus Workshop)
Meet Our Development Coaches
What Our Students Say
Journey To Success
Being an apprentice with Montessori Apprentice Academy was an opportunity I am so grateful for. My tutor Elaine was such an amazing lady to work with. She was supportive but made sure I was producing the best work I could possibly put out.
Marium
Completed our apprenticeship in Feb 2025
Highly Recommend!
Great training company. We train all of our staff here. The trainers/ tutors are excellent. They are the best!
Montessori Minds
Early Years Setting
Fantastic
From the moment we made contact about training they were superb. Communication has been great and the advice through the whole process.
Timothy Stephens
Acorns Preschool
Frequently Asked Questions
To enrol in the apprenticeship, you must already be working in an Early Years setting. The employer will contact us and complete a few forms to have everything in place, ready to take on an apprentice!
Once the employer has completed this, we will send a self-registration link to the learner, where they add all their details to our E-portfolio. After this we will arrange an onboarding meeting with the employer, learner and ourselves, where we confirm all the details are correct and everyone understands the requirements & expectations.
Our Early Years apprenticeships can be started at any time.
Yes, there a few requirements to keep in mind:
- Working in an Early Years setting to be able to meet work experience requirements for the ages of 0-5 years
- Have lived in the UK or EEA/EU for the last 3+ years (With a valid form of ID)
- 16 years of age and over and not receiving other government funding (e.g. for college or university).
- There are no specific entry requirements however learners should have a minimum of level two in literacy and numeracy or equivalent.
- There is not a requirement for learners to have GCSE grades A*–C in English prior to commencing this qualification however learners should be aware that this is required to attain Early Years Educator status.
To enter EPA you must also hold a valid EYFS-recognised Paediatric First Aid certificate, however, this can be completed during your apprenticeship.
If you don’t meet the requirements you may be eligible to enrol into our privately funded course instead.
If you or a staff member is brand new to Early Years, then the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship may be what you’re looking for. It serves as an entry point, offering hands-on experience, structured training, and a nationally recognised qualification.
Apprentices benefit from mentorship and support while contributing to children’s development in Early Years settings. This apprenticeship opens doors for career progression and provides a solid foundation for further growth within the sector.
This qualification holds significant value, counting in ratio at Level 3, enabling roles such as Nursery Teacher, Room Leader, or Manager.
Additionally, our students and apprentices have demonstrated remarkable career trajectories. Notable roles our graduates have transitioned into includes:
- Nursery Owner
- Nursery Manager
- Deputy Manager
- Room Leader
- Early Years Educator
If you are aged 16 – 18 years old and do not have GCSE English & Maths grade C/4 or Functional Skills equivalent, it is a government requirement to study L2 Functional Skills English & Maths, we will support you alongside the apprenticeship to achieve your functional skills English & Maths.
If you are 19+ years old and don’t have GCSE English & Maths grade C/4 or Functional Skills equivalent, you will have the opportunity to study Functional Skills English & Maths, but is not an apprenticeship requirement.
However, as English is a requirement by the EYFS to be fully qualified, we recommend you study English as part of your programme.
The standard time the L3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship takes is between 8 – 18 months, this fluctuates based on when you enter gateway to completion.
You can enter the gateway to completion at 8 months.
The apprenticeship works in tandem with your everyday job. The employer has a responsibility to provide sufficient off-the-job hours, where you can take time to develop skills outside of your job role. There will be an expectation of outside learning in your personal time as this is a L3 which is equivalent to an A-level.
Off-the-job training is a government requirement and must take place during your normal paid working hours. It’s an essential part of your apprenticeship, designed to help you build the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed for your role and further career progression.
This training includes a wide range of planned learning activities, such as online teaching sessions, in-house training, workplace assessments, supervisions, work-based tasks, and projects. The idea is to gain new experiences and develop professionally beyond your day-to-day duties.
Understand the Benefits of Apprenticeships for Your Setting
Our guide shows you how apprenticeships boost staff morale, support your Ofsted preparation, receive government funding, and promote career progression.
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