Early Years Apprentice

Summary

Eastbourne Pre-School has an opportunity for an Early Years/Childcare Apprentice to join their team. You will work to provide a positive, safe and stimulating environment, encourage learning and independence as well as child development.

Wage

£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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This position is for 38 weeks as Term Time only and will be paid pro rata £8,607

Training course

Early years educator (level 3)

Hours

Shift patterns to be confirmed. This position is Term Time only, 38 weeks per year and paid pro rata £8,607.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 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 deliver a high standard of learning, development and care for children aged 2-4 years
To ensure that the preschool nursery is a safe environment for children, staff and others
To develop partnerships with parents/carers to increase involvement in their child’s development & learning
Encourage the children to be as positive and independent as possible
To be responsible for any tasks delegated by the Deputy Manager/ Manager
To complete all academic aspects of the apprenticeship
To provide a safe, caring, stimulating educational environment, both indoors and outdoors, at all times where children are happy, secure and relaxed where they can learn and grow
To deliver an appropriate play based Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum that enables children to make individual progress
To help ensure the preschool nursery meets Ofsted requirements at all times
To understand and work to preschool nursery policies and procedures ensuring they are put into practice, including how to deal with child protection/safeguarding issues appropriately and how to respond to incidents, accidents, complaints and emergencies
To be a key person
To ensure records are properly maintained, e.g. daily attendance register, accident records, nappy changing, food records & risk assessments etc
To liaise closely with parents/carers, informing them about the nursery and its curriculum, exchanging information about children’s progress and encouraging parents’ involvement
To undertake any other reasonable duties as directed, in accordance with the preschool aims and objectives
Undertake simple daily domestic duties and follow room routines as required
To ensure proper maintenance and high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, safety of toys and equipment in use and the general nursery space inside & outside E.g. cleansing of equipment, laundry, health and safety requirements
To assist with the supervision and simple preparation of snacks and meals as required
To ensure the physical wellbeing of all children by meeting individual care needs e.g. nappy changing, toilet training
Administer first aid (if holder of a current valid First Aid Certificate) and administer prescribed medicines, when required
To plan, implement and evaluate activities to provide an effective learning environment, working towards the Early Years Foundation Stage
Interact and communicate positively with children in ways which focus on their learning potential of the individual child
Carry out all activities within an equal opportunities and inclusive learning environment
Observe and plan for children’s individual needs, recording progress and achievements in their digital learning journeys with guidance and working alongside the childcare team
To undertake appropriate continuous professional development in fulfilling the requirements of the Apprenticeship Scheme, this includes attending College on a weekly basis
Meeting with Manager/Mentor on a monthly basis to review progress and achievements and identify areas to develop
Planning and carry out work based assessments with Assessor
To attend and participate in team meetings and undertake training as appropriate
To adhere to the dress code
Work with children during activities and supporting if needed
Assisting with the supervision of children during arrival and departure times
Maintain confidentiality at all times
To undertake any other duties as required by management, commensurate with the grade of the post

Where you'll work

EASTBOURNE SPORTS COMPLEX
BOURNE AVENUE
DARLINGTON
DURHAM
DL1 1LJ

Training

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

College or training organisation

DARLINGTON COLLEGE

Your training course

Early years educator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure.
Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child.
Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children.
Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support.
Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice.
Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and interests.
Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.
Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure.
Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child.
Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children.
Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support.
Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice.
Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and interests.
Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.

Your training plan

Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard
Location: Eastbourne Pre-School, Eastbourne Sports Complex, Bourne Avenue, Darlington DL11LJ
Working 5 days per week inclusive of 1 day release for study at Darlington College
The duration of this apprenticeship will be 21 months, including End Point Assessment

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4/C)

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

Childcare (grade Level 2)

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
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Empathy and understanding
Excellent verbal communication
Report writing
Calm, caring and compassionate
Commitment
Punctual
Reliable
Enthusiastic
Honest
Flexible
Trustworthy
Motivation and enthusiasm
Committed to quality
Good sense of humour
Friendly and approachable
Safeguarding

Other requirements

Please note that, in line with UK apprenticeship regulations, you must have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England. This should cover the entire expected term of learning and residency should be held for a minimum of 3 years. Exceptions may apply. Please see Apprenticeship funding rules for full guidance. As we are an educational establishment, we DBS check every employee to an enhanced level and, as such, some reprimands and warnings may appear on disclosures as well as relevant convictions. It is important that you disclose any unspent or relevant convictions when you apply for a position. You are asked to provide confidential information separately to the HR Manager. Further information regarding the Rehabilitation of Offenders act and what needs to be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website and the DBS website www.homeoffice.gov.uk/dbs. Child protection is the responsibility of all staff. The pre-school will therefore: Encourage and maintain an environment where staff feel secure. All staff will be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding induction and training. Eastbourne Pre-School is committed to recognising and promoting equality and diversity within the community. We wish to provide a working and learning environment that acknowledges the richness of diversity and recognises the positive contributions of people of different social backgrounds, cultures, religions, abilities, ages and sexual orientation. Applications are therefore welcomed by all people provided they have the necessary attributes to carry out the job role.

About this company

We are a local pre-school based with the Eastbourne area of Darlington for more than 20 years. We are based within Eastbourne Sports Complex and have the exclusive use of the large secure garden area alongside our playroom. We are known as a 'Messy Nursery' where we firmly believe that children learn through play, which will include Mud, Sand, Water, Paint, Glue & Paint and more on an daily basis. Our childcare is in a mixed aged room. As an Early Years provider, we spend a considerable amount of time outdoors with the children in all weathers. We offer places for the 30 Hours Funded Places for 2, 3 & 4 year olds and for the 2 Year Old Early Education, for eligible families; as well the Universal Funded places for 3 & 4 year old (both 15 free hours per week). We also welcome fee paying families. We provide childcare for children aged 2 – 4 years old. All staff are involved with the cleaning & up keeping of the nursery & garden space. We have been deemed ‘Good’ by Ofsted and consequently it can provide excellent training and opportunities for apprentices.

https://eastbournepre-school.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

This is a great opportunity to develop with the company and have a rewarding career
This apprenticeship will give the successful candidate the qualifications to progress in a career in Childcare

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: