.png?width=4142&height=1500&name=TrainTogether_Reversed%20RGB%20(1).png "TrainTogether_Reversed RGB (1)")
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Turn Your Passion for Early Years Into a Career That Shapes Young Lives
Become a Level 3 Early Years Educator
If you are passionate about helping young children grow, learn, and explore the world around them, this apprenticeship develops the skills and knowledge needed to become a confident Early Years Educator.
Early Years Educators play a vital role in shaping children’s first experiences of learning. Through play based activities, supportive relationships, and engaging environments, you will help children build confidence, curiosity, and the foundations for lifelong learning.
Lead Early Learning
Support Holistic Development
Shape Learning Experiences
Why Early Years Educators Matter
The first five years shape a child’s future
| Metric | Impact |
|---|---|
| Early Brain Development | 90% of brain development occurs before age 5. |
| Children in Early Education | 1.04 million children attend nurseries and preschools. |
| Early Years Workforce | 350,000+ staff work in the early years sector. |
| Workforce Growth Needed | 40,000 additional staff required for childcare expansion |
-1.png?width=287&height=287&name=Blank-Template-Mockups-Square%20(3)-1.png)
Patricia C.
"Completing the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant programme helped me grow in confidence and professionalism. It strengthened my understanding of supporting learners with additional needs and gave me the skills to apply theory directly in my role. Despite balancing work, study, and family life, the experience showed me that I can continue developing and making a meaningful difference to the pupils I support."
⭐Apprentice of the Year
Register your interest
Tell us a little about your organisation and we’ll be in touch within one working day. No automated pipelines — just a real person who knows your sector.
Thank you — you’re registered
We’ve received your details. A member of the team will be in touch within one working day to talk through what fits your organisation.
In the meantime, you might find these useful:
We’ll only use your details to respond to your enquiry. We never sell or share your data.
Check your eligibility in two minutes
A quick check to see what apprenticeship funding your organisation is entitled to and which standards fit your team. You’ll get a plain-English summary at the end — no jargon, no obligation.
Your eligibility summary
Book a call to confirm in detail →This is a guide based on the information you provided. A short call confirms exactly what your organisation is entitled to.
What You'll Be Able to Do
From the beginning of the programme, you develop the skills needed to support children’s learning, wellbeing, and development in early years settings.
BY MONTH 6
Early Years Foundations
✓ Safeguarding and child protection
✓ Support play, routines, and daily care
✓ Build positive relationships with children
BY MONTH 12
Supporting Children’s Development
✓ Deliver engaging play-based activities
✓ Support communication and development
✓ Observe progress and support next steps
BY MONTH 18
Qualified Early Years Educator
✓ Achieve Level 3 Early Years Educator
✓ Support learning through the EYFS framework
✓ Promote confidence and school readiness
Download our free sector guide
Pick your sector and we’ll send you our practical, no-fluff guide to apprenticeship funding and standards in your industry.
We’ll use your details to send you the guide and occasional related insights. Unsubscribe in one click. We never sell or share your data.
Your Learning Journey
A structured programme designed to develop the knowledge, confidence, and professional skills required to work as an Early Years Educator.
Early Years Foundations
Months 1–4
Build the core knowledge required to work confidently in early years settings. You will explore how babies and young children grow, learn, and develop, and understand the professional role of an Early Years Educator.
You will study safeguarding, health and safety, and supporting children's physical care routines. This stage also introduces the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and how early years environments support children’s development.
Supporting Development
Months 5–8
Develop practical skills that help children learn through play, exploration, and positive relationships. You will explore strategies that support communication, language development, emotional wellbeing, and inclusive practice.
During this stage you will also learn how to create engaging learning environments and support children to develop confidence, curiosity, and independence.
Developing Early Learning Practice
Months 9–12
Build confidence delivering learning experiences that support children’s development across key areas including communication, literacy, numeracy, and physical development.
You will also develop skills in observing children, assessing progress, and planning activities that support individual development and next steps in learning.
Apprenticeship Completion
Months 13–18
Apply your knowledge in real early years settings while developing your professional practice. You will strengthen your ability to support children's learning, work collaboratively with colleagues, and build partnerships with families.
During this stage you will complete your portfolio and prepare for your End Point Assessment, demonstrating your knowledge and practical skills as a qualified Early Years Educator.
How We Develop Early Years Practitioners
We help you become the confident, skilled practitioner that early years settings rely on every day.
KNOW IT
Build a strong understanding of early childhood development from birth to five and how children learn through play, exploration, and relationships.
You will study the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), safeguarding, and how educators support children’s communication, physical development, and emotional wellbeing.
SHOW IT
Apply your knowledge directly in your early years setting.
Observe children’s development, support learning activities, and help plan experiences that encourage curiosity, confidence, and independence.
LIVE IT
Develop the professional behaviours expected of Early Years Educators.
Work closely with colleagues and families, support children's well-being, and help create safe environments where children feel confident to explore and learn.
Who This Programme Is For?
This programme is designed for individuals who want to play an important role in children’s earliest learning experiences.
Aspiring Early Years Educators
You want to build the knowledge and practical skills needed to deliver learning and development in early years settings.
Practitioners Ready to Progress
You already work with young children and want to take the next step by developing the professional skills required of a qualified Early Years Educator.
Supporting First Learning
You are passionate about helping children develop communication, confidence, and independence during the most important years of development.
Developing Future Educators
Early years settings that want to develop practitioners who can support children’s development and deliver high quality early education
Find the right apprenticeship programme for your organisation
Seven short questions. At the end we’ll point you to the programme area that fits your sector, team and current priorities.
Question 1 of 7
Where should we send your result?
Your recommended programme area
Book a call to discuss your programme →Your answers and recommendation have been saved so we can pick up where you left off when we speak.
Recognition Stories
Real transformations from people who discovered they're more than just their job titles
Hannah Hopkins
“Balancing full-time work, family life, and study was challenging, but the programme helped me grow in confidence and push myself to achieve more than I thought possible."
📝 Level 2 Distinction 📈 80+ Exam Scores 🏅EPA Success
.png?width=354&height=354&name=Blank-Template-Mockups-Square%20(2).png)
Jo G.
“I joined to strengthen my technical skills, but I discovered I’m more than just a finance team member. I became a confident professional trusted to deliver at a high standard.”
🏅Advanced Excel Expertise 📈Progressed to Level 4 📊Recognised for High Performance
Our Commitment to Learners
We support you to become a confident Early Years Educator who can make a real difference to children’s early development.
Structured Development
Our programme develops the knowledge and practical skills required to support children's learning through the EYFS framework.
You will learn how to observe development, support play-based learning, and contribute to activities that promote children's progress.
Personal Tutor Guidance
You will receive ongoing support from an experienced tutor throughout the programme.
Regular reviews, feedback, and action plans ensure you continue developing your professional practice and confidence.
Real Early Years Experience
You will apply your learning through real responsibilities in early years settings.
This includes supporting learning activities, observing children’s development, and helping create environments that encourage exploration and independence.
Progression in Early Years
Completing the programme opens opportunities to progress within the early years sector.
Many learners move into senior practitioner roles or continue developing through qualifications such as the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship.
Our Commitment to Employers
Developing Early Years Educators
This programme develops practitioners who understand child development, the EYFS framework, and how early learning environments support children’s growth.
Supporting Children’s Learning
Apprentices help deliver learning activities that support communication, social development, and early literacy and numeracy skills.
Strengthening Early Years Teams
Early Years Educators work alongside practitioners to deliver high-quality early education and support children’s development.
Investing in Your Workforce
The apprenticeship helps settings develop confident Early Years Educators who contribute to strong learning environments and positive outcomes for children.
Develop your talent — without taking the team off the floor
Four short questions and we’ll come back with a clear picture of what Train Together can do for your organisation, then a time to talk.
Question 1 of 4
Last bit — how should we reach you?
Here’s what we can offer your organisation
Book a call to talk it through →Your inputs are saved — we’ll come to the call with the funding and standards that fit, so you don’t cover this ground twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most learners already work in an early years setting or have some experience supporting young children. The programme is designed to build on this experience and develop the professional skills needed to become a qualified Early Years Educator.
Yes. Many nurseries use apprenticeship funding to support this programme. Levy paying employers can use their apprenticeship levy funds, while smaller settings may access government co funding, making it a cost effective way to develop qualified Early Years Educators.
Early Years Educator apprentices play an important role in supporting children’s learning and development. They help plan and deliver play based learning activities, observe children’s progress, support communication and language development, and contribute to creating safe and stimulating learning environments.
The programme teaches educators how to support children’s development through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Apprentices learn how to encourage curiosity, support early communication and social skills, and create learning experiences that help children build confidence and independence.
After completing the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship, learners may progress into senior practitioner roles, room leader positions, or further qualifications such as the Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship.
You Shape Children’s First Learning Experiences
The early years are the most important stage of development. As an Early Years Educator, you play a key role in helping children learn, grow, and prepare for school.
Gain the recognised qualification that develops your expertise in child development, early learning, and creating environments where children can thrive.