The Childcare Company

The Childcare Company is the UK’s leading childcare training provider. Since 2008, they have delivered exceptional learning experiences for professionals developing their skills in early years care and teaching. The organisation is also deeply committed to sustainability. In 2025, The Childcare Company, along with their sister brands, Impact Futures and FRFA, pledged to plant a tree for every achiever who completes their training. The initiative, called Roots for Achievers, has a goal of 2900+ trees planted, and is already going strong. This is just another way they have found to maximise their meaningful impact within the childcare and education sector.

The Childcare Company’s mission is Giving Britain the Skills to Care. Caring runs through the fabric of their organisation. The understand their learners care about delivering excellence in the work that they do. In turn, they care about the success of the individuals and employers they serve, as well as fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments and experiences.

There is a comprehensive suite of apprenticeship programmes offered by The Childcare Company, all designed to meet the diverse needs of the childcare sector:

• Level 2 Early Years Practitioner: This entry-level programme is a fantastic foundation on which to build a successful childcare career, helping learners to thrive in an Early Years setting, and raise care quality within the childcare sector.
  
  
• Level 3 Early Years Educator: This certification programme is tailored to take childcare education skills to the next level. Learners become able to lead a team in an Early Years setting and set the example for childcare sector standards.
  
  
• Level 3 Early Years Educator (Male Pathway): Due to launch in the Spring of 2025, this programme encourages more male candidates to pursue careers in early years childcare and education, creating more diverse and inclusive learning environments.
  
  
• Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner: This advanced leadership programme is designed to sculpt prolific childcare managers out of experienced, Early Years professionals who will emerge able to helm an entire childcare provision.
  
  
• Level 3 Teaching Assistant: Great for individuals and teams, learners gain hands-on experience in schools, plus a wealth of tools and techniques that help children to learn.
  
  
• Level 4 Children, Young People & Families Practitioner: For those working with children of all ages and their loved ones to achieve positive outcomes and sustainable change. Teaches transformative approaches to community or residential care.
  
  
• Level 5 Children, Young People & Families Manager: Great for managers in education and social care settings. Learners gain the skills to master family-centred approaches to community or residential care management – transforming lives for the better.
  
  
• Level 3 Early Years ‘Aspire’ Leadership & Management Pathway: Ideal for those working in early years settings who want to build a through-road to leading teams and managing childcare environments.
  
  
• Level 5 Early Years ‘Visionary’ Leadership & Management Pathway: Suited to those who may have recently stepped into a leadership role, and want to progress to a higher level of duty, enabling them to realise their vision for exceptional childcare delivery.
  
  
• Level 7 Senior Leader: Perfect for those at a higher organisational level, keen to set the culture and tone across their area of early years responsibility, and contribute to the execution and achievement of strategic objectives.
  
  

Each programme is carefully structured to provide practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and professional development opportunities that not only align with industry standards and employer needs, but that surpass expectations, and make a difference to childcare workforces.

Comprehensive Support: A personalised learning path with a dedicated Development Coach

Convenient Learning: The user-friendly Aptem platform for course modules and resources

Cost-Effectiveness: Support in securing up to 100% government funding

Consistent Retention: 90% of learners stay on-programme once they begin their courses

Community: Connect with a network of like-minded childcare professionals

Continued Guidance: Advice and resources available, even post-apprenticeship

Apprentices learning with The Childcare Company can also benefit from free Association of Apprentices (AoA) membership. AoA offers a wealth of additional benefits, resources, and exclusive access to sessions and events to assist learning and boost careers.

The Childcare Company have also launched an initiative called Roots For Achievers, which sees a tree planted for every learner who successfully completes their programme. This way, learners can know that their accomplishments support sustainability as well.

The Childcare Company actively champions diversity and equality in the childcare sector. They recognise the vital importance of male representation in early years education and actively work to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and supports male practitioners. They have also developed a new learning pathway specifically for male candidates. The Level 3 ‘Men in Teaching’ Pathway will include modules such as:

• Benefits of a Gender-Mixed Teaching Workforce
• Challenges of Men in Early Years Education and How to Overcome Them
• Tackling Gender Stereotypes in the Classroom Through the Curriculum and Teaching Practices

These modules will be supported by peer mentoring, CPD-specific masterclasses, guest speakers, and support, with opportunities for learners to aspire to key job roles in the sector.

Gareth Reichers, Director of Growth and Partnerships at The Childcare Company, emphasises the importance of fostering gender inclusion in early years education by challenging stereotypes and creating equitable opportunities for all. “The assumption is that nurturing and caregiving roles primarily belong to women. This partnership encourages a more inclusive perspective, where both men and women are seen as equally capable of contributing to children’s development.”

He highlights the significance of increasing male participation, stating, “This partnership helps us to challenge gender stereotypes and create pathways for men pursuing early years and childhood education roles. We want to normalise male participation in the field.”

Recognising the impact of male educators as role models, Gareth adds, “Seeing male educators actively engaged in their learning and development can have a lasting, positive impact. It shows children that both men and women can excel in caring and educational roles – quashing the stereotype at the baseline of their development.”

Furthermore, he underscores the benefits of diverse teaching teams, explaining, “Research suggests that diverse teaching teams are better equipped to address the varied needs of children, fostering a more inclusive and balanced educational experience.”

As The Childcare Company and Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs continue their collaboration, Gareth reiterates their shared commitment to ensuring that early years education is a career where talent is recognised and valued, regardless of gender: “Talent is talent, whatever gender a person is.”

The Childcare Company understands that professional development extends beyond qualification completion. Through a comprehensive support system, they offer:

• Dedicated Development Coaches providing one-to-one guidance
• Flexible learning through the Aptem platform, allowing study at preferred pace
• Extensive resources and materials accessible 24/7
• Free Association of Apprentices (AoA) membership for ongoing development
• Career guidance and progression planning
• Networking opportunities within the childcare sector

Their commitment to excellence, combined with an innovative approach to training delivery, ensures that every learner at The Childcare Company receives the support they need to build a successful career in childcare and early years education.