Mulberry Bush Nursery Group have been working with Bury College for a number of years, hiring and training childcare Apprentices. The partnership has provided learners with amazing opportunities and resulted in thriving careers.
The Early Years Educator pathway is for those working in childcare e.g. nurseries, pre-schools, crèches or schools (reception or nursery only).
The Level 3 apprenticeship will allow you to gain the skills needed when supporting in an Early Years setting. The knowledge and skills gained includes how to plan, observe and assess children and vital areas of health and well-being.
This qualification will prepare you to become an Early Years Educator and will enable you to work with children from birth to 5 years and gain knowledge of children aged 5 to 7 years. You will also learn how to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
Key Units/Learning Aims
In order to aid holistic delivery and assessment the qualification has been
structured around the following three themes:
Theme 1:
Health and well-being
Including nutrition, exercise, physical care, first aid, supporting unwell children and emotional well-being
Theme 2: Legislation, frameworks and professional practice
Including safeguarding, health and safety, equality, partnership working and professional development.
Theme 3: Play, development and learning for school readiness
Including children’s development, play, observation assessment and
planning,
longitudinal studies, school transitions and supporting additional
needs.
An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience and get paid. By the end of an apprenticeship, you'll have the right skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career.
As an apprentice you will:
Your employment contract should confirm your rate of pay.
Please visit https://www.gov.uk/become-apprentice/pay-and-conditions for the latest minimum apprenticeship wages.
You will complete an End Point Assessment with the awarding body NCFE and will cover the following areas:
GCSE English and maths 9-4.
Positive Futures is a set of essential qualities, embedded throughout your study programme, that we seek to develop in all students:
You will also engage in the Positive Futures Careers Programme, developing key employability skills through a diverse range of activities including work placements, volunteering, employer talks, industry study visits and employment and university fairs.
As a Bury College student you will have access to a wide range of enrichment opportunities which will contribute to your personal growth and development and support your academic studies.
These may include:
Please Note: We attempt to ensure that all information contained within this website is correct and up-to-date. However, some details may change as we review and update our provision. Although every effort is made to provide the teaching, examination, assessment and other services detailed on this website and in our other publications, Bury College cannot guarantee the provision of such programmes, services, facilities and fees. Bury College reserves the right to amend, withdraw, alter or amalgamate any of the courses, locations and facilities detailed within at any time. Should circumstances require such amendments, Bury College undertakes to use all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to those services and most importantly to students.
Mulberry Bush Nursery Group have been working with Bury College for a number of years, hiring and training childcare Apprentices. The partnership has provided learners with amazing opportunities and resulted in thriving careers.
Bury College welcomed learners from 12 Greater Manchester colleges for the GM Skills Foundation Studies Competition, where students showcased creative heritage-inspired projects and took part in a collaborative team challenge. The event celebrated student creativity, confidence, and community.
Bury College hosted the GM Skills Construction Competition on Friday 13th March 2026, with students from nine colleges competing across Plastering, Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical Installation, Painting and Decorating, and Plumbing, showcasing top skills and earning multiple wins.
A former Bury College Hairdressing Apprentice has come full circle, embarking on an exciting teaching career which will see him inspire the next generation of Hairdressers.
Read how Deborah, an adult learner at Bury College, is progressing in her career and finding new purpose after previously retiring.
Read how Codi has used the skills of her Catering course at Bury College to support her journey to becoming a restaurant owner.