Playworker Apprentice

Summary

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with a passion for working with children. Successful candidates will inspire, support, and engage children in a range of fun, creative, and active play activities in a safe and nurturing environment.

Wage

£6,281.60 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Playworker (level 2)

Hours

To be confirmed at interview stage.

16 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 2 September 2025

Duration

2 years 10 months

Positions available

2

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

As part of your apprenticeship, your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

Supporting the delivery of wraparound care sessions
Assisting with before- and after-school clubs for children aged 4 -11
Helping deliver engaging, fun, and inclusive activities
Assisting with sports and physical activity sessions
Supporting coaches in planning and running active games and sports
Encouraging participation and promoting physical wellbeing
Creating a safe and enjoyable environment
Setting up and packing away resources and equipment
Ensuring sessions are run in line with health and safety policies
Providing care and support
Supervising children during snack times and transition periods
Supporting individual needs and promoting positive behaviour
Building positive relationships
Communicating effectively with children, parents, and school staff
Being a friendly, reliable presence for the children in your care

Where you'll work

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

Goresbrook Road, Dagenham, RM9 6UU
Meanley Road, London, E12 6AR
Dorset Avenue, Romford, RM1 4JA
Erriff Dr, Thurrock, RM15 5AY
Halley Street, Tower Hamlets, E14 7SS
Sandringham Road, Barking, UK, IG11 9AG

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

Learning on the job:

Working alongside experienced team members
Gaining hands-on experience in a professional school-based setting

Completing your apprenticeship training:

Studying toward a fully funded Level 2 or 3 qualification (Playwork, Supporting Teaching & Learning, or Sports Coaching)
Receiving ongoing support and mentoring from both your employer and Educationwise

Requirements

Essential qualifications

BTEC or equivalent in:

Sport (grade Level 2/3)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

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
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

A driving licence is a requirement as you will be expected to travel to various locations in and around the post code area. Please check this is possible on public transport, if you do not drive, before applying for this vacancy. if you would like to be considered for a level 4 apprenticeships you will need to be 18 years of age at the start of your apprenticeship, as you will be leading sessions and working with young people within a school environment, once your initial training is complete. GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above) (Note: Functional Skills can be provided as part of the apprenticeship if not already achieved) A Level 1 qualification in Childcare, Level 2/3 Sports Coaching, or a related subject (desirable but not required) Previous experience (voluntary or paid) working with children in schools, clubs, camps, or sports settings Basic knowledge of safeguarding and child protection (training will be provided) First Aid Certificate (if held – not required but beneficial) A genuine interest in pursuing a career in childcare, education, or sport

About this company

We are part of Premier Education Group who have been providing schools, children and parents with innovative programmes and initiatives for over fourteen years. Established in 1999, we provide a wide range of services to schools and communities throughout the UK. The group, consisting of Premier Sport, Premier Performing Arts and The Golden Mile, collectively employs over 800 qualified professionals and last year our activities received over 5million visits.

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

We have an intensive training structure to ensure that our staff are qualified to the highest possible standard
Our most talented and ambitious professionals can make their way through our bespoke career journey
Those with a mind for business can work their way to owning and running their own franchise or licence under the Premier Education Group

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: