How apprenticeships can help deliver the childcare expansion the sector needs

The Government's childcare expansion plans represent one of the most significant opportunities our sector has seen in years. Increasing access to funded childcare has the potential to support more families, improve children's outcomes and enable more parents to return to work.

However, there is one question that continues to dominate conversations across the sector: where will the workforce come from?

Many providers are already experiencing recruitment challenges, with demand for qualified practitioners often outstripping supply. As more childcare places become available, the need for skilled, confident early years professionals will only increase.

That's why apprenticeships have such an important role to play.

At Realise, we see apprenticeships as more than a route to qualification. They are a practical workforce development solution that enables employers to grow talent from within, attract new people into the sector and create clear progression pathways for their teams.

Our redesigned Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship has been developed with these challenges in mind. By embedding assessment throughout the programme and removing the need for a separate End-Point Assessment, learners can now achieve their qualification in just 13 months.

This means employers can develop qualified practitioners more quickly while maintaining the high standards that children and families deserve.

Just as importantly, apprentices are applying their learning in the workplace from day one. Through practical experience, dedicated coaching and regular milestone reviews, they develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to make a meaningful contribution to their setting throughout the programme, not simply after they qualify.

We've also focused heavily on the quality of the learning experience. Alongside workplace learning, apprentices benefit from immersive e-learning, interactive workshops and enrichment opportunities delivered by leading industry experts. This helps develop confident practitioners who understand safeguarding, inclusion, child development and high-quality early years practice.

For employers, this creates a stronger pipeline of talent and supports retention by giving staff a clear route for development and progression. For learners, it provides the confidence and skills needed to build a successful career in the sector.

The childcare expansion agenda presents exciting opportunities, but its success will depend on having enough skilled professionals to deliver high-quality provision. Training providers, employers and the wider sector all have a part to play in meeting that challenge.

By investing in innovative, employer-focused apprenticeships now, we can help build the workforce needed not just for today's demand, but for the future of early years education and care. At Realise, we're proud to be playing our part by developing programmes that help settings grow, practitioners thrive and children receive the very best start in life.