Nursery Apprentice

Summary

To contribute to a high-quality caring environment for children. This includes creating a warm, friendly and stimulating atmosphere in which the children can develop emotionally, socially and educationally through individual attention and group activities.

Wage

£16,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Early years practitioner (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, working hours TBC

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 4 August 2025

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

We would welcome applicants for a Level 3 Apprenticeship for those who have already achieved Level 2.

To be trained to carry out the same duties as a Nursery Practitioner or Nursery Assistant
To contribute to a high-quality caring environment for children
This includes creating a warm, friendly and stimulating atmosphere in which the children can develop emotionally, socially and educationally through individual attention and group activities

Key areas:

To work with children
To attend all training as set out in your training agreement
To complete all assignments set on time
To work as part of the team
To attend associated training deemed appropriate by the manager in consideration of your individual needs and wishes
To liaise with mentor and manager

Responsible to: Mentor/Nursery Manager/Team Leader:

Duties and responsibilities:

College attendance/meeting with training provider and completing assignments on time
To attend team meetings and participate in sharing ideas
Under supervision provide all aspects of care for children including washing, changing and feeding
To assist with meeting the personal, social and emotional needs of individual children
To provide adult-led interactions with children in the nursery
To attend all training relevant to the role and deemed appropriate by the Manager/training provider
To be aware of and abide by the nursery’s Safeguarding children and child protection policy and Confidentiality policy, and all other policies the manager deems appropriate
Support all staff and engage in a good staff team

General:

Contribute to good standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness in the nursery
Undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature, as may be determined by the trainee’s supervisor from time-to-time
Always carry out duties in compliance with the nursery’s equal opportunities policy
Look upon the nursery as a "whole" to consider where your skills can be best utilised. Be constantly aware of the individual needs of all children
Respect the confidentiality of all information received
Ensure the provision of a high-quality environment to meet the needs of all individual children
Develop and maintain strong partnerships and communications with parents/carers to facilitate day-to-day caring and early learning needs
Be aware of the community profile of the nursery and always uphold its standards
Be aware of all emergency and fire evacuation procedures
Be aware of sections 7 and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Employees have a duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions whilst at work. This extends to co-operating to enable the employer to fulfil its legal duty
No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions
Understand that, as part of training, you will be required to work across the nursery rooms
Read, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures relevant to your role as deemed appropriate by the Management Team
Undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined from time to time by the Management Team

Where you'll work

NAPLEY LODGE FARM
MUCKLESTONE ROAD
NORTON IN HALES
MARKET DRAYTON
TF9 4AL

Training

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

College or training organisation

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

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

In-house training plus the candidate will follow a Level 2/3 Apprenticeship programme and study towards a qualification in Early Years. This training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College - South & West. If the candidate does not hold GCSE grades A-C (9-4) or equivalent, they will be required to complete a Level 2 Functional Skill in the relevant subject.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade C/4)
Maths (grade C/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
Creative
Patience
Passionate

About this company

Napley Lodge Farm Day Nursery is housed in converted farm barns. Our colourful and themed classrooms create a fun and stimulating environment that encourages creativity and critical thinking. We believe that early experiences are crucial for a child’s growth and well-being. Our focus is on helping children build confidence, independence, and a love for learning so that when the time arises they’re ready for school. The farm is an ideal place for a children's nursery, the animals and outdoor way of life forms a key part of our ethos here at Napley Lodge. From the play areas, the children are able to see the cows grazing in the fields or being brought in at milking time. They can also view the calves in the paddock during spring and summer months, alongside the donkeys. The children regularly go on farm walks where they are able to view and care for all our animals which include cows, sheep, hens, rabbits, donkeys, dogs and bottle-fed lambs in spring. Alongside our three stimulating playrooms, enclosed gardens, a vegetable patch and two paved play areas, we also have acres of fields and meadows to explore, and a self purpose built Forest School Woodland area.

After this apprenticeship

Take on board additional roles, SENDco, room leaders, Assistant Manager etc.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

Sophie Cain

Sophie.Cain@ccsw.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000329121.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Tuesday 22 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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