Childcare & Early Years Opportunities
Childcare & Early Years Apprenticeships
Childcare apprenticeships are a major route into nurseries, early-years settings, and classroom support. They combine hands-on work with training in child development, safeguarding, and communication.
Live Childcare & Early Years roles
View allBusy Bees Early Years Educator Apprenticeships
Busy Bees
Early Years Apprentice - Puddleducks Nursery Worthing
BRIGHT STARS NURSERIES UK LIMITED
Childcare Apprenticeship – Level 3 Early Years Educator (WM)
POPPINS DAY NURSERY (UK) LTD
Early Years Educator Apprentice - Child First Bicester
BRIGHT STARS CHILDCARE LIMITED
Early Years Apprentice - Daisy Chain Emsworth
BRIGHT STARS CHILDCARE SERVICES LTD
Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship
BRIDGE LANE NURSERY LTD
Apprentice Nursery Practitioner - Bluebells
JUST CHILDCARE LIMITED
L3 Apprentice Teaching Assistant (supporting SEND children) at Blackheath Primary School
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Ref: CC28 Early Years Apprentice at Next Generation Nursery Schoolies Club Ltd
NEXT GENERATION NURSERY AND SCHOOLIES CLUB LTD
About Childcare & Early Years apprenticeships
Entry requirements
Most childcare apprenticeships require GCSEs in English and Maths at grade 3–4, though some employers will support functional skills during the programme. A caring attitude, patience, and confidence around children are essential.
Typical salary
Childcare apprenticeships commonly pay around £14,000–£21,000 per year depending on setting, location, and level. Salaries often rise once apprentices complete their Level 2 or Level 3 qualification.
Top employers
Well-known childcare apprenticeship employers include Busy Bees, Bright Horizons, Kids Planet, local nurseries, academy trusts, schools, and council-linked education providers.
Career progression
A Level 2 or Level 3 early-years apprenticeship can lead to nursery practitioner, room leader, SEND support, teaching assistant, or further education routes in childcare and teaching support.
Frequently asked questions
What childcare apprenticeships are available in the UK in 2026?▾
Common routes include early years practitioner, early years educator, nursery assistant, apprentice educator, and teaching assistant apprenticeships in nurseries, schools, and childcare settings.
Do I need experience with children before applying?▾
Not always. Formal experience is often not required, but employers do look for patience, maturity, good communication, and a genuine interest in child development and safeguarding.
What qualification do I gain from a childcare apprenticeship?▾
Most childcare apprenticeships lead to a Level 2 or Level 3 early-years qualification or teaching-assistant qualification, alongside workplace experience that employers value highly.