Currently delivering this programme with
What will you learn?
Paediatric First Aid (Level 3) provided by FRFA
Facilitated by our sister company First Response First Aid (FRFA), part of the Impact Futures Group.
Level 2 Certificate in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
This is an optional add-on that will be delivered by The Childcare Company.
What You’ll Gain As An Learner
Through expert teaching, quality resources and ongoing support from industry professionals, you will gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to support young children in a childcare setting. In partnership with Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs, this specific Early Years Educator pathway addresses the gender imbalance in the childcare sector and by championing the role of men in nurseries and schools. With nearly 20 years of training expertise and a 99% learner success rate, we are your trusted partner in supporting your career growth and helping you empower young lives.
What You’ll Gain As An Employer
Your success is our priority. We provide expert teaching through quality resources and ongoing support to take your male staff looking to excel in childcare settings. By providing mentorship, networking opportunities and targeted support to experienced male childcare assistants looking to become room leaders or managers of early years provision, this pathway empowers male educators to thrive in early years settings and become role models for future generations. With nearly 2 decades of training expertise and a 99% learner success rate, leave the teaching to us as we support the next generation of teaching professionals on their journey to empowering the lives of children and young people.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Level 3 Early Years Educator supports children’s learning, development and wellbeing in an early years setting while taking on greater responsibility for planning activities and supporting progress. In partnership with Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs, the Men in Childcare pathway has been designed to help address the gender imbalance in the sector by encouraging more men to pursue careers in early years education. The programme provides the same nationally recognised Level 3 qualification, alongside additional mentorship, networking opportunities and support to help male educators thrive and become positive role models for children.
The Men in Childcare pathway is delivered in partnership with Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs, an organisation focused on increasing gender diversity within the early years sector.
Through this partnership, learners benefit from specialist mentorship from experienced male educators, networking opportunities, and additional career support. This helps build confidence, develop practical skills and encourages progression within a more inclusive and diverse early years workforce.
This apprenticeship is ideal if you’re a man working in childcare or looking to progress within the early years sector. It’s particularly suited to experienced childcare assistants who want to take on more responsibility or move into roles such as room leader. If you’re passionate about supporting children’s development, helping shape inclusive learning environments and becoming a positive male role model in early education, this pathway can support your career journey.
You will typically need some experience working in a childcare or early years setting, such as a role as a childcare assistant. Many learners progress onto this programme after completing a Level 2 qualification or gaining hands-on experience in the sector. You will also need to be employed in a role where you can apply what you learn in practice and commit to completing the full apprenticeship programme.
You will learn how to support children’s learning and development, understand early years frameworks, and create safe, engaging environments where children can thrive. The programme covers topics such as safeguarding, child development, play and social interaction, inclusive practice and working with families. You will also complete a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification, delivered by our sister company FRFA, and an optional Level 2 Certificate in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Yes. As part of the Level 3 Early Years Educator (Men in Childcare) apprenticeship, you will complete a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid course delivered by our sister company, First Response First Aid (FRFA).
This 12-hour course meets Ofsted requirements and provides you with the essential first aid knowledge and practical skills needed to respond confidently to emergencies in early years settings. Upon successful completion, you will achieve a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification, which is valid for three years. Regular refresher training is recommended to maintain and update your skills.
The Level 2 Certificate in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is an optional add-on within the Level 3 Early Years Educator (Men in Childcare) apprenticeship. At Month 9 of the programme, learners can choose to complete this qualification, subject to agreement between the learner, employer and training provider.
This 12-week programme enhances your understanding of SEND conditions, inclusive practice and relevant legal frameworks. It also helps you develop the skills needed to support individuals with SEND, work effectively with families, and promote inclusive learning environments. Upon successful completion, you will achieve an accredited Level 2 TQUK qualification in SEND, further strengthening your knowledge and expertise in early years education.
Off-the-job training is structured learning that takes place during your paid working hours but is separate from your normal day-to-day duties. You’re required to complete a minimum of six hours per week of this training to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for your apprenticeship. Activities can include online learning, workshops, research, mentoring and other development tasks relevant to your role.
You can also use our Learner Enrichment Calendar to help plan and log suitable off-the-job activities that count towards your training hours, giving you a variety of ways to grow your skills throughout the programme.
All off-the-job training hours must be recorded on your e-portfolio system, Aptem, to ensure your progress is tracked throughout your apprenticeship.
Once you’ve completed the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship, you can continue to build your skills and progress your career in early years. A natural next step is to advance onto our Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner apprenticeship.
This programme is designed for experienced practitioners who are ready to take on a more senior role, leading practice within a setting, supporting team development and taking on greater responsibility for planning, mentoring and improving outcomes for children. It helps you develop the leadership, knowledge and confidence needed to progress into supervisory and management positions within early years education.
The Level 3 Early Years Educator (Men in Childcare) apprenticeship usually lasts 18 months. During this time, you will take part in a blend of face-to-face and online learning while continuing to work in your role and must dedicate a minimum of six hours per week to developing your skills, knowledge and behaviours.
For the learner, there is no cost.
For employers, the cost depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy:
- Levy-paying employers: You can use your apprenticeship levy funds to cover the full cost of the programme. These funds are accessed through your digital apprenticeship service account.
- Non-levy employers: The government will fund 95% of the training cost, meaning you only pay the remaining 5%. Based on the £5,000 funding band, this equates to just £250.
This makes apprenticeships a highly cost-effective way to develop your workforce, with the majority of training costs covered through government support.
