Early Years Nursery Apprenticeship

Summary

Babraham Nursery are seeking an Early Years Apprentice, who would like to study for a Level 2 or 3 Early Years qualification. The successful candidate will work alongside our experienced nursery team directly with our nursery children and will learn to support all aspects of their care and development, whilst also attending one day at college.

Wage

£15,312 a year

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Babraham Boost Employee Discount Scheme, for well know high street shops and restaurants 25 days annual leave (rising to 28 days after 3 years service), plus bank holidays and 3 Christmas privilege days Beautiful surroundings Easy Transport Links

Training course

Early years practitioner (level 2)

Hours

The successful candidate will work four whole days 08.45 - 17.45 (Monday to Thursdays)/17.15 (Fridays) with 1 hour paid lunchbreak each day in nursery and they will have a 7-hour paid college day each week.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 3 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

Babraham Nursery (Apprentice Level 2 & 3)- Key areas of Responsibility

To work as part of the Nursery team, providing supervision and support for children with the direction and guidance of the Senior
Nursery Nurse within the following base rooms;

- Ducklings Room – aged from 6 weeks to 12 months
- Caterpillar Room - aged from 12 months to 24 months
- Butterflies Room - aged from 24 months to Pre-school
- Pre-school - children in their last year at nursery

To ensure that the child’s welfare as an individual and as a member of a group is paramount at all times.
To plan, develop and supervise suitable programmes of activity to cater for the children’s educational, social, emotional, recreational and welfare needs, ensuring that each child’s individual needs are met at all times, with the support of your mentor.
To communicate with parents in a professional, positive and welcoming way and discuss their child’s day with support from your mentor.
To have the ability to communicate well and participate in observing children.
To use own initiative and have good judgement and common sense when dealing with situations.
To have commitment to equal opportunities.
To undertake parent consultations (with mentor support) and attend open evenings.
To attend monthly early evening staff meetings.
To help at nursery social events and fundraising activities.
To be flexible and willing to work with all age groups within nursery as required.
To undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required from time to time.
Undertaking an Early Years Apprenticeship level 2 or 3 including college attendance and assignments as specified in the approved course to a required standard.

Where you'll work

17-18 The Close
Babraham
Cambridge
CB22 3AQ

Training

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

College or training organisation

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

Your 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.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 work setting and during off site visits.relating to both children and staff
Demonstrate skills and understanding for the prevention and control of infection, including hand washing, food preparation and hygiene, dealing with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
Use equipment, furniture and materials safely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and setting’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 settings by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy and balanced 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/complimentary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty/toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
Communicate with all children in ways that will be understood, including 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 communication methods to exchange information with children and adults.
Work with colleagues to identify and plan enabling environments, activities (both indoors and outdoors), play opportunities and educational programmes (both adult led and child initiated) 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, sharing results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory framework and setting’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 assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing (the graduated approach) 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, mentoring and/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 and/or carers and recognise their role in the baby’s/child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
Encourage parents and/or carers to take an active role in the baby’s/child’s care, play, learning and development.
Demonstrate how to share information with parents/carers about the importance of healthy balanced diets, looking after teeth and being physically active.
Support babies and young children through a range of transitions.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 work setting and during off site visits.relating to both children and staff
Demonstrate skills and understanding for the prevention and control of infection, including hand washing, food preparation and hygiene, dealing with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
Use equipment, furniture and materials safely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and setting’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 settings by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy and balanced 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/complimentary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty/toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
Communicate with all children in ways that will be understood, including 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 communication methods to exchange information with children and adults.
Work with colleagues to identify and plan enabling environments, activities (both indoors and outdoors), play opportunities and educational programmes (both adult led and child initiated) 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, sharing results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory framework and setting’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 assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing (the graduated approach) 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, mentoring and/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 and/or carers and recognise their role in the baby’s/child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
Encourage parents and/or carers to take an active role in the baby’s/child’s care, play, learning and development.
Demonstrate how to share information with parents/carers about the importance of healthy balanced diets, looking after teeth and being physically active.

Your training plan

You will achieve an Apprenticeship in Early years via a work mentor and one day a week at Cambridge Regional College

Babraham Nursery will offer the following additional training:-

Paediatric First Aid
Basic Child Protection
Early Years Foundation Stage Training
Behaviour Management Training
One focused training day in July
Other training that will enhance level 2 or 3 studies and support the candidate in their role.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 3 or D)
Maths (grade 3 or D)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

Nursery is a busy environment where the children's needs come first, therefore a genuine enthusiasm for working with children is essential. An ability to work as part of a team and to be personable and calm is also essential. Children enjoy messy activities and spend lots of time outside all year round and therefore it is important apprentices, alongside the staff team support and encourage this for the children

About this company

Babraham Nursery is an OFSTED-outstanding rated childcare setting, based on the outskirts of Cambridge and is a part of the Babraham Institute. Available to both institute staff, campus staff and the wider public, we provide a happy and safe place where up to 90 children aged from six weeks to five years can learn, play and be themselves. The Babraham Institute is a life science research institute dedicated to making the fundamental discoveries needed to maintain health and improve wellbeing throughout life. Our ground-breaking research in human biology sparks the innovative advances which will improve and protect lifelong health.

Company benefits

Employee Wellbeing Platform Lunch Provided Pension Scheme Institute Gym and Cafeteria 50% discount on Stagecoach travel Free onsite parking

After this apprenticeship

Once the apprenticeship is completed staff are able to be employed in nursery as a Nursery Nurse, all those who have completed a level 2 are encouraged (but it is not a requirement) to begin the level 3.

For those with a level 3 Early Years qualification, opportunities are available in Nursery Schools, other nurseries, Primary Schools and hospitals. There is also the opportunity to progress to higher education.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: