Nursery Practitioner Apprentice

The Sheffield College

Hillsborough Campus, Livesey Street, Hillsborough, S6 2ET. (S6 2ET)

Closes in 14 days (Monday 7 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 24 August 2026

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Summary

To be trained under close and frequent supervision in order to develop the ability to perform and work towards a fully qualified nursery practitioner role. To contribute to a high quality caring environment for children.

• Wage:

  £15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Early years practitioner (level 2)
• Hours: Monday - Friday: 8.00 am - 6.00 pm.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Wednesday 7 October 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

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

In particular, the post holder will be responsible for:

• Work as a member of the nursery team to ensure that high standards of care is provided.
• Promote and create an educationally stimulating environment in accordance with Every Child Matters and the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
• To ensure the ethos, implementation and legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage is embed within practice.
• To take an interest in the children and their families, to treat them as individuals and with respect at all times.
• To provide support for any children with special educational needs and liaise with senior members of staff to promote their welfare and development As well as supporting all co-ordinators eg, senco and equal opportunities in their duties.
• To ensure positive management of children’s behaviour.
• To ensure children and adults safety at all times, adhering to the health and safety policies and procedures. This includes but is not limited to; Risk assessments, supervise the children arriving/leaving the nursery; and visually checking equipment and resources.
• Gain experience of undertaking and maintaining records as required by Ofsted Registration legislations;these include but are not limited to; development records, observations, accident, incident and risk assessment records as appropriate.
• To carry out housekeeping duties as appropriate prepare and clear up the nursery areas, whilst maintaining a good order all toys and equipment.
• Ensure, through the Nursery Manager/Nursery Coordinator, that adequate stocks of materials exist.
• Undertake a Paediatric First Aid qualification and once qualified undertake duties within the nursery approved code of practice.
• To demonstrate a genuine care for children and contribute to the planning and development of activities.
• To promote and develop  good relations and communication between staff members, parents, children and external agencies advocating the ethos of the setting demonstrating an effective service.
• Ensure that all relevant work activities underpin the college’s commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults; Any concerns about a child/young person are acted on promptly, clearly recorded, referred to the nursery DSL or DSD.
• To record and report incidents in relation to allegations/Whilst blowing on staff members who have breach the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies and Legislations.
• To be flexible and adaptable, to assist in all areas of nursery work and to provide support for other members of staff, undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be determined after negotiation between management, the post holder and appropriate Trade Unions. 
• To attend staff meetings and training courses as directed by senior managers as well as attending regular out of hours training sessions as directed by course tutors in order to complete Level 2 or Level 3 Childcare Qualification.
• To go about your duties with a positive and enthusiastic attitude - to be organised, efficient, confident, hardworking and conscientious.

Where you'll work

Hillsborough Campus, Livesey Street, Hillsborough, S6 2ET.
S6 2ET

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SHEFFIELD COLLEGE, THE

Training course

Early years practitioner (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events. e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling.
• Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect , physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
• Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures.
• Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
• Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and provision’s requirements.
• Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
• Promote health and wellbeing in the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
• Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
• Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
• Use a range of appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
• Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
• Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
• Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’s requirements.
• Use learning activities to support early language development.
• Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
• Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
• Support the graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
• Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
• Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
• Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
• Work alongside parents or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
• Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby's or child’s care, play, learning and development.
• Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.
• Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events. e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling.
• Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect , physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
• Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures.
• Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
• Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and provision’s requirements.
• Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
• Promote health and wellbeing in the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
• Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
• Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
• Use a range of appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
• Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
• Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
• Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’s requirements.
• Use learning activities to support early language development.
• Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
• Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
• Support the graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
• Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
• Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
• Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
• Work alongside parents or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
• Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby's or child’s care, play, learning and development.
• Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.

Training schedule

Qualification: L2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard:

Early Years Practitioner Qualification:

Assessment:

• Professional discussion underpinned by portfolio:
• Knowledge Test:

Venue: Online class sessions

College attendance: Day release

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade A*-C or 9-4)
• Maths (grade A*-C or 9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience

About this employer

Hillsborough Nursery is a purpose-built, self-contained building within the grounds of our Hillsborough campus. It offers care for children from six months to 5 years with 53 places in total. At The Sheffield Nursery, we believe that every child is unique and deserves to be given the best possible start in life. We provide a safe, sensory-rich, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive and reach their full potential. Our highly qualified and experienced staff team work together to provide childcare and education that enables children to become confident individuals. We understand that parents need peace of mind that their children are being cared for in a safe and secure environment. That’s why our nurseries have been designed with the latest security features, and our staff undergo regular training to ensure they’re always up-to-date with best practice

https://nursery.sheffcol.ac.uk/hillsborough-nursery (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Subject to negotiation and successful completion, L3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SHEFFIELD COLLEGE, THE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000049811.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Monday 7 September 2026 at 11:59pm)