Early years workforce training in England

Develop your nursery team with funded apprenticeships.

Train existing employees or recruit new talent through recognised early years apprenticeships. We help nursery employers identify the right level, understand the funding and connect with a suitable training provider.

Find training for my staff Compare apprenticeship levels

✓ Train existing staff ✓ Recruit new apprentices ✓ Government funding available

Early years professionals supporting children in a bright nursery classroom

Up to 100% fundedfor eligible apprenticeship training

One or several staffbuild skills within your setting

Build capabilityDevelop practical skills around the needs of your setting.

Support retentionGive employees a recognised route to progress at work.

Reduce training costsGovernment funding can cover most or all eligible training.

Two ways to strengthen your team

Apprenticeships are not just for new recruits.

A suitable employee can begin an apprenticeship while remaining in their current nursery role, or you can use an apprenticeship to bring someone new into the sector.

Train existing employees

Help nursery assistants and practitioners gain the knowledge, occupational skills and recognised training they need to take on greater responsibility.

Explore staff training →

Recruit a new apprentice

Create an entry-level nursery role and develop a new team member through structured workplace learning and provider-led training.

Understand the recruitment route →

Plan staff progression

Compare the active Level 2 and Level 3 standards and identify the route that best matches each employee’s role, experience and responsibilities.

Compare active levels →

Apprenticeship funding

Training may cost your nursery little—or nothing.

For employers that do not pay the apprenticeship levy, government funding can meet the full eligible training and assessment cost for apprentices aged 16 to 24. For most other eligible apprentices, the employer contribution is 5% and the government pays the remaining 95%, up to the funding band maximum.

Funding applies to eligible existing employees as well as new recruits
Levy-paying employers can use funds in their apprenticeship service account
Additional support may be available for some younger apprentices
The employer remains responsible for wages and paid training time

Read the employer funding guide

Tell us about your setting

Which training route fits your team?

Start with your nursery’s postcode. We’ll ask a few short questions about your employees, their roles and the apprenticeship level you are considering.

For employers in England. Apprenticeship funding systems differ elsewhere in the UK.

How it works

A straightforward route from skills gap to training plan.

You do not need to understand every funding rule or apprenticeship standard before making an enquiry.

Tell us about your nursery

Share your location, team size and whether you want to train current staff, recruit, or both.

Identify the right level

Match each employee’s real duties and development needs to an active apprenticeship standard.

Speak to a provider

A suitable provider can confirm eligibility, prior learning, delivery arrangements and available funding.

Begin workplace training

Agree the training plan and give the apprentice paid time to develop and demonstrate new skills.

Choose the appropriate standard

Early years apprenticeship levels for nursery teams.

The correct level is based on the employee’s occupation and responsibilities—not simply their age or length of service.

Early Years Practitioner

An entry route for employees working under supervision while developing the core skills needed to support babies and young children.

View the Level 2 employer guide →

Early Years Educator

For employees whose role supports children’s learning, development and welfare with greater responsibility and professional judgement.

View the Level 3 employer guide →

Not sure which level?

Use the comparison guide to assess occupational fit. A training provider will also review prior learning before confirming the programme.

Use the level comparison →

Employer questions

The practical details, without the jargon.

Yes. An employee does not have to be new to your nursery. Their role must allow them to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship, and the provider will account for relevant prior learning.

Non-levy employers can receive 100% funding for eligible apprentices aged 16 to 24. For most other eligible apprentices, the government pays 95% up to the funding band maximum and the employer contributes 5%. Levy-paying employers normally use funds from their apprenticeship service account.

You must employ the apprentice in a genuine role, pay at least the applicable minimum wage, provide appropriate supervision and allow paid time during normal working hours for apprenticeship training.

Yes. The original version ended for new starts on 31 July 2025, but Skills England introduced version 1.1 from 1 August 2025. It can suit experienced staff who lead practice while continuing to work directly with children.

“The strongest apprenticeship programme starts with a real workforce need—not a qualification chosen in isolation.”

Looking for an apprenticeship yourself?

There is still a dedicated route for individuals.

Explore nursery apprenticeship jobs, understand the active levels and find out whether you could train within an existing early years role.

Guidance for future apprentices

Practical guidance for nursery employers

Latest early years training guides.

Clear answers on funding, staff development, apprenticeship standards and workplace delivery.

Early years practitioner working with children in a nursery setting

2 September 2026

Can You Do a Nursery Apprenticeship Part Time?

Part-time nursery apprenticeships are possible, but the job, training time and programme length must work together. Here is what applicants should check.

Read guide →