Quick answer: A childcare apprenticeship is a paid job in a nursery, preschool or school combined with training towards a full and relevant early years qualification, usually Level 2 (Early Years Practitioner) or Level 3 (Early Years Educator). Most take 12 to 24 months and pay at least the apprentice minimum wage. If you already work or volunteer in a setting, an online Level 3 diploma covers the same qualification without tying you to an apprenticeship contract.
What is a childcare apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is employment first and a course second. You are hired by an early years setting, paid a wage, and released for training time (each apprenticeship standard sets a minimum number of off-the-job training hours, which replaced the old 20 percent rule for apprenticeships starting from August 2025). At the end you sit an end-point assessment and, if you pass, hold both the apprenticeship certificate and the qualification inside it.
Two apprenticeship standards cover most early years roles in England:
| Standard | Level | Qualification inside it | Typical length | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years Practitioner | 2 | Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (or equivalent) | 12 to 18 months | School leavers and career changers with no childcare qualification |
| Early Years Educator | 3 | Level 3 Early Years Educator diploma (full and relevant) | 18 to 24 months | Level 2 holders, or confident starters aiming to count in ratios at Level 3 |
Both qualifications sit on the Department for Education list of full and relevant qualifications, which is what lets a setting count you in its EYFS staff-to-child ratios. You can check any title on our early years qualification checker.
How much does a childcare apprentice earn?
Apprentices aged under 19, or in the first year of the apprenticeship at any age, must be paid at least the apprentice rate of the National Minimum Wage. After the first year, apprentices aged 19 and over move to the standard minimum wage for their age band. Many nursery groups pay above the floor to compete for staff, so always check the advert.
| Situation | Legal minimum hourly rate from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Under 19, or 19+ in first year | Apprentice rate, £8.00 |
| 19 to 20, after first year | 18 to 20 rate, £10.85 |
| 21 and over, after first year | National Living Wage, £12.71 |
Once qualified, pay rises with the level you hold and the responsibility you take on. Our early years and nursery pay 2026 guide sets out typical rates for assistants, Level 3 educators, room leaders and managers.
What are the entry requirements?
There is no national entry requirement for a Level 2 childcare apprenticeship. Employers usually ask for a willingness to learn, a clear enhanced DBS check and basic English and maths. If you do not hold GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or above, you will normally study Functional Skills Level 1 or 2 alongside the apprenticeship.
For the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship, employers commonly look for a Level 2 early years qualification or relevant experience. Under the current EYFS framework, Level 3 educators do not need a Level 2 maths qualification to count in ratio at Level 3, but they do need a suitable Level 2 English qualification. The maths requirement now applies to setting managers.
How long does a childcare apprenticeship take?
- Level 2 Early Years Practitioner: about 12 to 18 months.
- Level 3 Early Years Educator: about 18 to 24 months, longer if you work part time.
The length depends on the standard, the hours you work and how your employer and training provider plan your off-the-job training. Every apprenticeship must last at least 8 months.
Apprenticeship or online Level 3 diploma: which route is right for you?
Both routes end with the same kind of qualification: a full and relevant Level 3 that counts in ratios. The difference is how you get there.
| Childcare apprenticeship | Online Level 3 Early Years Educator (Lift College) | |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | You must be employed as an apprentice by a setting | You study while working or volunteering in any Ofsted registered setting |
| Pay | Apprentice minimum wage or above | Your normal wage; the course is paid monthly |
| Cost to you | Usually none (employer and government fund training) | Paid monthly after a 7-day free trial, no contract |
| Placement hours | Built into the job | At least 300 placement hours in your setting |
| Study pattern | Fixed training days with the provider | Flexible, online, start any time |
| Length | 18 to 24 months | 12 to 18 months |
| Qualification | Level 3 Early Years Educator (standard plus diploma) | Ofqual-regulated TQUK Level 3 Diploma for Early Years Care and Education (Early Years Educator) |
| Exams | End-point assessment | No exams; assessed by coursework and observed practice |
| Who it suits | Under 19s, people without a current childcare job, those who want wages covered from day one | Existing nursery assistants, volunteers, childminders' assistants, parents returning to work |
Choose the apprenticeship if you need a job and a wage together and can commit to the employer's timetable. Choose the online diploma if you already have a place in a setting and want to qualify faster, on your own timetable, without changing employer. The Level 3 Early Years Educator course page lists the units, placement rules and start process.
Where do you find childcare apprenticeships?
- Find an apprenticeship (gov.uk): the national vacancy service, searchable by postcode and level.
- Nursery groups and local authorities: large chains advertise their own apprentice intakes, often in spring and late summer.
- Colleges and training providers: many list employer partners who recruit apprentices directly.
- Speculative applications: smaller settings often take on apprentices without advertising. A short email with your DBS status and availability works.
What comes after a Level 3 apprenticeship?
A Level 3 opens the door to room leader, deputy and SENCO roles. From there you can progress to a Level 5 early years lead practitioner or management qualification, or on to an early years degree. Our guide to early years qualification levels 2 to 5 shows what each step unlocks in role, ratio status and pay.