Recruit and Develop Childcare Talent
Childcare apprenticeships offer a practical way to recruit new talent or develop existing staff, building the skills needed to deliver high-quality care, learning and support in early years settings.
A More Effective Way To Build Your Early Years Team
Childcare apprenticeships offer a structured way to recruit new talent or develop existing staff, helping your setting build the skills needed to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
Our programmes develop capable early years professionals with knowledge of safeguarding, child development, inclusive practice and effective communication, enabling them to contribute confidently within your setting.
- Recruit individuals suited to your setting
- Upskill existing employees in their current roles
- Build capability that supports high-quality care and long-term growth
Apprentices work towards recognised early years qualifications, helping them build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to progress in childcare.
Support Available To Help You Recruit And Train
Recent government updates mean there will be more support available to help employers recruit and train apprentices, particularly when hiring younger individuals or building entry-level roles.
- Training costs fully funded for eligible apprentices aged 16–24
- Additional financial incentives for hiring young apprentices
- National Insurance savings for apprentices under 25
This support makes it easier to bring new talent into your business while developing the skills you need for long-term growth.
Why Employers Recruit And Upskill Through Childcare Apprenticeships
Childcare apprenticeships support both your setting and your employees, helping you deliver high-quality early years care while developing confident, capable practitioners who can support children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
Employers
- Strengthen your early years team
Develop practitioners who support high-quality care, learning and child development - Reduce recruitment costs
Recruit new talent or upskill existing employees in a cost-effective way - Train to your setting
Build skills aligned to your routines, curriculum, policies and safeguarding responsibilities - Improve retention and progression
Support long-term development and help employees grow within your setting - Build a future-ready childcare workforce
Create structured pathways from entry-level practice through to more senior early years roles
Learners
- Earn while they learn
Gain hands-on experience in an early years setting while earning a wage - Funded training with no learner debt
Access training without the cost of student debt - Progress in an early years career
Create a pathway from entry-level practice to more senior roles - Achieve recognised qualifications
Gain qualifications that support long-term childcare careers - Receive dedicated support
Trainer assessors and mentors help learners stay on track
How We Support Your Recruitment And Team Development
We support you through the full process, whether you’re recruiting new talent or developing existing employees through structured training and ongoing support.
1. We recruit or support your existing team: We source and shortlist candidates or work with your current employees
2. You select the right approach: Choose the right individual or development pathway for your business
3. We train and support: We deliver structured training and ongoing support throughout the programme
Award-Winning Apprenticeship Success
Apprenticeships can help you develop new skills, build confidence and progress in your career. Kirsty's journey from Administrator to award-winning Team Leader demonstrates how workplace learning can support professional growth while making a real impact in the workplace.
Whether you're starting your career or looking to advance in your current role, apprenticeships provide a practical route to gaining recognised qualifications and valuable experience.
Childcare Apprenticeships That Deliver Real Progress
Our childcare apprenticeships are designed to support both your setting and your employees, whether you’re recruiting new talent or developing existing staff.
Each programme combines practical workplace experience with structured training, including masterclasses, workshops, 1:1 support and learning resources focused on early years practice. Learners develop knowledge across areas such as safeguarding, child development, attachment, learning and development, inclusive practice and supporting children’s wellbeing.
This approach helps learners build confidence, apply their knowledge in real early years settings, and contribute effectively in their role, while creating clear pathways for progression within your organisation.
I’ve completed my Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner course, which has greatly strengthened my leadership skills and supported my career progression.
Completing my Early Years Educator Level 3 apprenticeship has been an amazing experience. My assessor has been incredibly supportive, offering clear guidance and thorough help with all my units.
My assessor has been incredibly supportive in helping me fully understand my childcare course. She has also provided great assistance with maths by arranging extra sessions with a colleague, and Rachel kindly offered an additional session as well.
Current Vacancies
See more jobsApprentice Early Years Practitioner
Dartford, Kent, England
£8 per hour
Office Based
Apprentice Early Years Practitioner @ Rainbow Day Nursery
Location: Summerhill Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 2LP
PLEASE NOTE: This position is for immediate start.
WHO are Rainbow Day Nursery?
Rainbow Day Nursery in Dartford is a privately owned, home from home, Ofsted registered full day care nursery for children from 6 months of age, providing high-quality care and early education since 1985.
There are 5 spacious playrooms, providing a home from home approach, building on children’s individuality, learning and supports all areas of development.
Their practitioners strive to create a calm and welcoming environment where children can feel safe, secure, loved and have a sense of belonging.
WHAT will I get from working with Rainbow Day Nursery?
- EARN: £8 per hour, 37.5 hours per week
- EXPERIENCE- your hours: Monday to Friday shifts between 7am and 6pm.
- QUALIFICATION: Early Years Practitioner Level 2 takes approximately 16 months.
WHAT will my DAY look like?
This is an exciting opportunity to kick start your career in Early Years! Rainbow Day Nursery have a friendly and supportive team who will help you throughout your apprenticeship journey. Your daily tasks will include:
- Working as part of a team under the direction of the Nursery Management/Leadership team and qualified practitioners.
- Building confidence in liaising closely with parent/carers to develop strong parent partnerships to support children’s holistic well-being.
- Helping to provide an enabling environment in which all individual children can play, develop and learn.
- Always maintaining Confidentiality and respecting information relating to all children, parents, visitors and staff members associated with Rainbow Day nursery.
- Always ensuring effective supervision of the children and environment including understanding and being aware of staff: child ratios, as well as staff deployment.
- Reading, understanding and adhering to all policies and procedures to ensure the safe running of the setting. This includes knowing where policies are kept.
- Developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL).
- When the time comes, building confidence in developing role as a Key Person ensuring children’s learning and development needs are met in accordance with the EYFS and CoEL.
- Minimum of 6 hours per week spent on apprenticeship work and training.
HOW does the Apprenticeship Work?
Working towards your Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Qualification, you’ll attend monthly 1-2-1 meetings (online via teams every month – NO classroom OR college!) with your tutor and learn about modules including child development from birth to 7 years, safeguarding, promoting wellbeing, supporting activities, purposeful play & educational programmes, and more! You will be given a minimum of 3 hours per week to complete any apprenticeship work (assignments, research, and projects) and will receive at least another 3 hours of training from your employer. All apprenticeship work and training is completed in the workplace, during working hours.
WHAT skills/qualifications do I NEED?
- Minimum GRADE 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths & English.
- UK Residency – must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
- Communication & team working.
- Caring & compassionate.
- Initiative & problem solving.
What happens next?
If your application is successful, you will receive a call from our dedicated Recruitment Consultant who will discuss the qualification, location and course length in more detail. Following this call, you will be asked to write a supporting statement and complete an English and Maths assessment.
If you really want to impress us, why not show your enthusiasm and carry out some further research on the employer and the qualification you’ll be working towards! Links are provided below:
Employer Website: https://rainbownurserydartford.co.uk/
About the Qualification: https://www.ctskills.co.uk/apprenticeships/childcare
1 day ago
Apply Now