Early Years Apprentice

Overview

The Early Years Apprentice role helps ensure all children receive outstanding quality care and education and support families to thrive. You will work with children aged 0-5 years, support their play and development, and collaborate with the Nursery Leadership Team to implement and promote the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

• Work with children between 0-5 years to support play and development.
• Organise activities, assess and record children’s learning, and collaborate with colleagues and parents.
• Work with experienced Early Years Educators, with a dedicated mentor and support from fellow apprentices; recognise when a child or colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure.
• Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children (e.g., food safety, diets, starting solid foods, allergies, COSHH, accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
• Apply principles of risk assessment and risk management in documentation and practice; teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain safety.
• Use diverse communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child.
• Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
• Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person; recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships.
• Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years; advocate for all children’s needs, including SEND or EAL support.
• Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop social interactions and relationships; support children to develop a positive sense of identity and culture.
• Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about behaviours.
• Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
• Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic and evolving physical environments indoors and outdoors; create an inclusive and supportive emotional environment that ensures safety, security, respect and wellbeing, prioritising the individual child’s voice.
• Apply strategies to support children’s ability to manage change, transitions and significant events.
• Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic, individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of a child’s needs and interests; facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting’s curriculum and pedagogy.
• Provide adult-led opportunities and experiences based on the setting’s curriculum and pedagogy.
• Use reflection to develop professionally and personally.
• Complete any additional required training (e.g., first aid) as per EYFS requirements; equivalent qualifications may be accepted.

• Functional skills in English and maths if required.
• Communication skills, team working, creativity, initiative, patience.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership, Honours Degree in Early Years, Early Years Teacher (EYITT) or Primary Teacher (QTS) qualifications may be relevant.
• GCSE English and Maths (Level
  2) as applicable.

Salary: £22,000 per year.

Hours:

Monday to Friday, on a rota basis; 40 hours per week. Working hours fall within nursery opening times (7:00am–6:00pm).

Start date:

2 March 2026. Duration: 1 year 3 months. This post involves enhanced DBS clearance (funded by Seymour House) and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Equal opportunities and safeguarding commitments apply. An online search may be conducted on shortlisted candidates as part of due diligence. A copy of the Company’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Disclosure Information Policy is available on request.

How to apply:

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience.