LEVEL 3 Qualification
Early Years Educator
Typical duration
15 - 18 Months
Training method
Live virtual sessions & face-to-face tutoring
Funding value
Up to 100% funded maximum employer fee £350
Delivered by Best Practice Network in collaboration with Thrive
What is the Thrive Early Years Educator Apprenticeship?
The Thrive Early Years Educator Apprenticeship is a 15-18 month, work-based programme delivered by Best Practice Network.
Designed for those working with children aged 0 to 5, the apprenticeship combines hands-on experience with expert training. You’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed to plan and deliver high-quality childcare and education in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Learning is delivered through a blend of virtual classrooms, webinars, work-based tasks and online assignments, supported by one-to-one guidance from your apprenticeship tutor. You’ll cover core modules such as safeguarding, child development and equality, diversity and SEND. You’ll also explore how strong relationships lay the foundations for social and emotional wellbeing, resilience, language, behaviour and learning.
Upon successful completion, you’ll become a Thrive Early Years Educator and be awarded a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. This means you’ll count towards the staff-to-child ratio in your setting, have the skills to mentor Early Years Practitioners, and be equipped to effectively support young children at this vital time of development.
Price for this programme: £7,000 £0
Why train with Best Practice Network and Thrive?
This apprenticeship combines Thrive’s expertise in social and emotional wellbeing with Best Practice Network’s award-winning training delivery.
How is this programme delivered?
This 15-18-month Early Years Educator Apprenticeship combines Thrive’s expertise in social and emotional wellbeing with Best Practice Network’s industry-leading reputation as an Ofsted ‘Good’ apprenticeship training provider. Learners can be assured of the very best in professional training and unparalleled wraparound care.
Underpinned by Thrive’s proven approach, rooted in evidence and research, and Best Practice Network’s recognition as the Education and Childcare Apprenticeship Provider of the Year two years running, this apprenticeship offers a world-class learning experience that combines the best of both worlds.
Funding available
This programme is fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or 95% Government funded. This means up to 100% fully-funded or a maximum fee of £350.
The programme includes:
- Interactive online learning
- One-to-one support with your apprenticeship tutor
- Independent learning through online learning materials
- Employer/mentor reviews throughout the whole programme
- End-point assessments to demonstrate your knowledge
There are no age restrictions for apprenticeships, and if you don’t already have qualifications in maths and English, you’ll have the opportunity to achieve Level 2 in both as part of your training.
To be eligible, you'll need to:
- Be working and interacting daily with children aged 0 to 5 in a setting that delivers the EYFS learning and development requirements
- Have experience in a relevant role
- Have support from your employer and levy account holder
- Be based in England
- Have held a residency in the UK for the last three years
- If aged 16-18, you'll need to have achieved GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade C (4) or above OR be able to achieve Level 2 English and Maths Functional Skills while on programme
This apprenticeship is the perfect next step for those with a Level 2 qualification in Early Years who want to advance their careers as Early Years Educators, Nursery Teaching Assistants, Nursery Nurses, Supervisors or Childminders.
Employers will need to allow full-time apprentices six hours per week of off-the-job training. Part-time apprentices must allocate 20% of their working hours for this purpose.
Employers will also offer a mentor and facilitate the apprentice’s monthly virtual sessions and overall development.
It’s fully funded for those working in local authority settings or those paying into the apprenticeship levy. For non-levy payers, the government offers co-funding, covering 95% of the cost, or levy transfers are available for additional support.
Learning takes place through virtual classrooms, webinars, work-based tasks and online assignments, as well as one-to-one support and tuition from your apprenticeship tutor.
Your tutor will visit your setting, so there's no need to go to a college.
Delivery includes:
• Monthly online training events to deliver 'Knowledge' elements (see below)
• Monthly review meetings with your apprenticeship tutor
• Monthly BPN Boost webinars and online resources for support
• Regular observations with your apprenticeship tutor/mentor to evidence skills
• Witness statements to evidence behaviours
Work is submitted using Bud, a cutting-edge online platform, which is easy to use and includes login access for employers to keep track of their apprentice’s progress.
This levy-funded, nationally recognised programme offers everything you’d expect from a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, but with Thrive’s added expertise in child development, behaviour and wellbeing woven in. This helps practitioners feel confident and ready for the real challenges of nursery life.
Need more information? Head to Thrive's course FAQs page for all the details.
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