Childcare Apprenticeship (level 3)

Childbase Partnership; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 18,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in Birmingham is seeking a motivated Childcare Apprentice to create safe learning environments and support children's development. The successful candidate will gain a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, along with essential skills in health and safety. Responsibilities include team collaboration and meeting individual needs while adhering to policies. The role offers a competitive salary with opportunities for advancement after apprenticeship completion.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

75% childcare discount

Wellbeing support including free meals

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Evidenced National Insurance number and right to work in the UK.
• Photographic ID (valid passport or driving licence).
• Comfortable travelling to Newport Pagnell for training sessions.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain safe learning environments.
• Interact positively with nursery users.
• Assist in safeguarding children.
• Manage time to submit coursework by deadlines.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisation skills

Team working

Creativity

Initiative

Non-judgemental attitude

Patience

Education

Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification

Paediatric first aid qualification

Job description

As a childcare apprentice, your main responsibilities will be to:

• Work as part of a team to create and maintain safe and supportive learning environments across the nursery, plan and implement opportunities to enhance children's development, and complete observations linked to the early years curriculum
• Interact positively with all nursery users and work in partnership with colleagues and parents to ensure all children's individual needs are met at all times whilst they are in your care
• Adhere to nursery routines and policies and seek guidance from your leadership team as required
• Successfully manage your time to ensure you submit your coursework by the deadlines set by your assessor / tutor
• 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 (e.g. food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, 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 those requiring 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' 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 yourself both professionally and personally

Training and Qualifications

This apprenticeship will provide you with the opportunity to learn how to provide outstanding early years care and education. By the end of your apprenticeship with us you will gain:

• Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification (with an optional online assessment during shortlisting)
• Appropriate functional skills qualifications in maths and English, if you do not already have equivalent qualifications when you commence the apprenticeship
• Paediatric first aid qualification

Additional Skills and Competencies

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Team working
• Creativity
• Initiative
• Non‑judgemental attitude
• Patience

Requirements for Application

• Evidenced National Insurance number and right to work in the UK
• Photographic ID (valid passport or driving licence)
• Access to a computer
• Residency in the UK for at least 3 years
• Comfortable travelling to the training sessions in Newport Pagnell

Benefits and Support

• Generous annual leave: 23 days paid leave per annum (pro‑rata), rising to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays
• Childcare discount: 75% discount (or 40% grandparent discount) on fees at any Childbase nursery, from day one
• Exclusive partner benefits: long‑service rewards, qualification bonuses and retail discounts
• Wellbeing support: free meals, mental health and occupational health support, flu jabs, eye care vouchers and a free will‑writing service
• Career development: team inset days, access to online training in addition to your course and a permanent role as a Qualified Nursery Practitioner (subject to successful completion of the apprenticeship)

Compensation and Working Hours

£17,131 a year. As an apprentice you will be paid an hourly pay rate of £7.57, which will increase to £10.00 an hour after 6 months in post. You will work varied shifts, usually between 7.15 am and 6.30 pm, Monday–Friday, amounting to 38 hours a week. Start date: Thursday 12 March 2026. Duration: 1 year 4 months. A permanent contract is subject to you successfully gaining your qualification, after which you will be appointed as a qualified Nursery Nurse within our partnership.

About Us

• We are employee‑owned: Every colleague is a partner with a voice, who helps drive our success; when we do well, we each receive an annual tax‑free dividend.
• We are number 1: Ranked top of the Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes.
• We are community driven: Supporting causes close to our hearts, we have raised more than £3.5 million for charity.
• We are environmentally responsible: All our nurseries hold Green Flag awards and are powered by 100% renewable energy.
• We are invested in your development: Our academy, EduBase, is a trusted provider in the sector.