Early Years Apprenticeship Level 2 DY1

Summary

Motivated by the desire to help children develop, you will be part of a team providing high-quality care for children from birth to 5 years. Providing a warm and welcoming environment within the nursery where young children and their families can feel valued and obtain positive help and support. Providing stimulating learning experiences.

Wage

£16,770 a year

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Training course

Early years practitioner (level 2)

Hours

8am-6pm Monday - Friday. Shifts will be between 8am-6pm each day. Shifts will be given on a Friday for the following week.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 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

To learn responsibility for the display and maintenance of a safe, stimulating, interactive, learning environment in the Nursery.

To learn to work within the guidelines of the Early Years Foundation Stage and assist in the planning, preparation and delivery of an effective programme of activities to help babies and young children to develop.

To learn the implementation of providing stimulating learning experiences, which enable young children to grow in confidence and independence.

To learn and develop skills to effectively observe, assess, monitoring and record children’s learning and development using a variety of methods.
To gather these observations and produce individual profiles for each child in your small key worker group.
To learn responsibility for providing full access to an effective programme of activities for children identified as requiring additional support.
To participate in staff meetings.
To provide cover for practitioners within the team as necessary.
To work in partnership with other professionals involved with the children and their families, i.e. health visitors, inclusion support, speech therapists.
To support in the care of sick children and those suffering minor injury.
To be familiar with the fire drill and procedures for the safety of the children.
To assist with checking equipment for safety and suitability to use and preparing resources as appropriate.
To share responsibility for ensuring the room is cleaned at the end of each day.
To assist in the identification of child protection issues.
To access personal and curriculum development opportunities.
To undertake duties in such a way that ensures a positive multicultural approval and with full regard for the principles and policies in place at the YMCA and comply with the Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy and Child Protection Procedures within the organisation.
Operate within YMCA policies and procedures, strictly observing Health & Safety regulations of colleagues, parents/carers and yourself and the Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy.
Operate within nursery policies and procedures.
Ensure all work practice is inclusive, expressed through a wholehearted commitment to welcome those of all faiths and none.
Undertake any other related duties that are consistent with the job.

Where you'll work

YMCA St. James's Road Day Nursery, 29 St. James's Road
Dudley
DY1 3JD

Training

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

College or training organisation

CENTRAL YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

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

Early Years Practitioner Level 2.

Functional Skills were required.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (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
Team working
Patience

Other requirements

You must agree to authorise a full DBS check.

About this company

YMCA Has Been Serving The Black Country For Over 130 Years A local charity, that’s part of the largest youth organisation in the world. We support people to grow and develop in Mind Body & Spirit. Our places are found in the heart of communities, working with children, young people and their families. We provide childcare, housing for young workers, supported accommodation, employability, health and social enterprises projects.

After this apprenticeship

Possible permanent position at the end of apprenticeship. Possible chance of moving on to further qualifications.

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