Childcare Apprenticeship - Barnsley
Forward Steps Nursery
Summer Lane WombwellBarnsley, S73 8TU (S73 8TU)
Closes on Wednesday 25 February 2026
Posted on 22 January 2026
Contents
Summary
Forward Steps Nursery are looking for a new Nursery Assistant Apprentice, you will be studying toward your Early Years Practitioner Level 2.
- Wage
-
£15,704 a year
- Training course
- Early years educator (level 3)
- Hours
-
(08:15-18:15) x4 Days Per Week
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 4 March 2026
- Duration
-
1 year
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
To work in a 'Good' Ofsted rated children's nursery in Wombwell near Barnsley. A lovely childcare nursery with supportive members of staff who look after and nurture apprentices in the setting to their full potential. You will be expected to deliver high quality care and early years education for children at Forward Steps Nursery taking a proactive approach to providing a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment in which babies and young children are supported and encouraged to achieve their full potential. The post holder will provide full and practical support in the day to day running of the nursery under the supervision of the Nursery Manager and the Deputy Manager.
This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check which will disclose all cautions, reprimands and warnings as well as convictions.
Your role will include;
- To provide high quality care and activities for children which recognise both individual and group requirements in a safe, secure and stimulating environment and meet their physical, social, emotional, intellectual and development needs.
- To plan, organise and implement appropriate programmes and activities both inside and outside the nursery which consider each individual child’s development and encourage creativity, development, co-ordination, independence, self expression and learning through play. This includes free flow systems to aid the development of children’s self-assurance, independence, making choices and self-selecting.
- To assist in providing a safe, supportive and caring environment for young children in the care of Forward Steps Nursery.
- To assist in the provision of an attractive, stimulating and creative environment and range of equipment, resources, activities and displays, both indoors and outdoors, relevant to the ages and needs of the children which encourage independence, self motivation and eagerness to learn.
- To be fully up to date with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensure that the safety, care, welfare and well being of each child meets the statutory requirements.
- To monitor, assess, record and report on the development and progress of children in the care of Forward Steps Nursery.
- To keep children’s files up to date with planning for their individual needs, observations, development records and all other relevant documentation following company policies and procedures and as requested by the nursery manager and deputy manager.
- To prepare and serve food, milk, drinks and snacks to children as required encouraging good nutrition and sociable eating.
- To assist children with personal care, including changing nappies, assisting with potty training, toileting, changing clothes and other associated welfare duties
- To carry out housekeeping duties including cleaning of the nursery ensuring that clean and hygienic standards are maintained at all times and ensuring that cleaning materials are used safely.
Benefits Include;
- Off the road Parking
- Annual Christmas Staff Party
- Good Transport links to the nursery
Where you'll work
Summer Lane
WombwellBarnsley, S73 8TU
S73 8TU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED
Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Recognise when a child or a 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 in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
- Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
- Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
- Use a range of 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 with children.
- Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
- Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support.
- Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
- Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
- Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
- Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
- Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
- Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice.
- Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
- Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the 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 experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
- Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.
- Recognise when a child or a 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 in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
- Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
- Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
- Use a range of 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 with children.
- Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
- Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support.
- Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
- Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
- Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
- Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
- Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
- Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice.
- Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
- Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the 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 experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
- Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.
Training schedule
At Shaping Lives, we are dedicated to one mission: helping nurseries like yours nurture future generations through high-quality early childhood education. As a trusted training provider, we specialise in developing skilled, passionate educators who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children aged 0–5. Whether you're looking to enhance your current team's skills or recruit new talent, we’re with you every step of the way. Upon completion of this 12 month Apprenticeship, you will have obtained your Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Qualification.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Administrative Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Creative,
Other requirements
The closing date guidance, if a successful candidate is found before the advertised dates, the advert will close early.
About this employer
Forward Steps is home from home, a 42 place private day nursery that accommodates children from the ages of birth to 5.
After this apprenticeship
There is a possibility of being offered a full time role after successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000010069.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 25 February 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.