Playworker apprentice

Summary

Playworkers are in high demand as wraparound care becomes essential in all primary schools by 2026. You’ll play a key role in children’s development during these sessions. Applicants must be 18+ due to Ofsted regulations.

Wage

£11,700 a year

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Training course

Playworker (level 2)

Hours

20-30 hours per week available, depending on location. Shifts will be split across the day, including mornings and after-school clubs, with a rotating schedule.

25 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 1 June 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

Are you a passionate and dedicated childcare professional looking to make a difference? Premier Education is hiring an Apprentice Playworker to provide high-quality childcare before and after school. Our Ofsted-registered wraparound centres offer a safe, engaging, and supportive environment for children aged 4-11.

As the UK’s largest provider of school physical activity and childcare services, Premier Education partners with over 2,500 schools nationwide. We offer flexible roles, competitive pay, and the opportunity to positively impact children’s lives through enriching activities.

Our playworkers love the flexibility, fair working hours, and the satisfaction of seeing children grow. Join us in our mission to Educate & Activate the World through one of the most rewarding careers out there!

Roles and Responsibilities:

Assist with planning, preparing, and delivering quality, engaging play opportunities in a safe environmen
Providing comprehensive care for the children, including collecting them from school and delivering them safely to parents/carers
Set up play spaces, including moving furniture and play equipment
Provide refreshments, ensuring hygiene and health and safety standards
Administer first aid when necessary
Involve children in planning activities and encourage parental involvement
Facilitate good communication with all members of the organisation. parents, schools, and related agencies
Undertake relevant training and development
Maintain a healthy, safe, and secure environment
Adhere to club policies, procedures, and the Early Years Foundation Stage

Where you'll work

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

St. Johns Place, Canterbury, CT1 1BD
The Old School House, Plough Road, Great Bentley, Colchester, CO7 8LD
Dale Hall Primary School, Ipswich, Dale Hall Lane, Ipswich, IP1 4LX
8 Prince Of Wales Drive, Ipswich, IP2 8PY
Vicarage Lane, East Farleigh, Maidstone, ME15 0LY

Training

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

College or training organisation

THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD

Your training course

Playworker (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
Contribute to play audits.
Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
Contribute to health and safety checks.
Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.
Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
Contribute to play audits.
Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
Contribute to health and safety checks.
Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.

Your training plan

Playworker Level 2.

Your apprenticeship training will take place at one of our selected schools, complemented by online sessions with your tutor at Educationwise. This may also include Functional Skills in English and maths if required.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

Other in:

any setting aged 4 to 11. (grade Children aged 4 to 11.)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Childcare (grade Level 2)
Food Hygiene (grade Certificate)

Other in:

Disclosure and Barring Service (grade willingness to obtain one.)
Paediatric First Aid (grade First Aid)
safeguarding and child protection. (grade Certificate Training)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Creative
Initiative
Patience

Other requirements

ESSENTIAL: - Applicants must be 18 or over due to Ofsted regulations within our schools. - Experience working with children aged 4 to 11. - Understanding of children's varied needs and family dynamics. - Knowledge of quality play care principles and equal opportunities. - Ability to provide and facilitate safe, creative play. - Strong communication and teamwork skills DESIRABLE: - Level 2 qualification in Childcare. - Experience in a play-based setting. - IT skills for play and club administration. - Ability to work independently. - Training in safeguarding and child protection. - Current Paediatric First Aid Certificate. - Food Hygiene Certificate. - Current Enhanced DBS Certificate or willingness to obtain one.

About this company

We are the UK’s leading provider of sport, physical activity and childcare to primary age children and have expert understanding of primary school needs. We operate as an extension of school staff resources, providing invaluable support, and are an approved, trusted resource for the PE and sport premium. We pride ourselves on having coaches who are not just professionals, but passionate advocates for the development of school sport and exercise.

https://www.premier-education.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Once you've completed the apprenticeship, you will become a fully certified playworker with opportunities for further development.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: