Apprentice Early Years Educator

Neville’s Cross Primary School & Nursery

Durham (DH14JG)

Closes in 14 days (Friday 1 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 17 July 2025


Summary

Are you ready to make a real difference in the early stages of a child’s learning journey? At Neville’s Cross Primary School & Nursery, we are seeking an enthusiastic and caring Apprentice Early Years Educator to join our dynamic team. This is a fantastic opportunity to earn while you learn and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

Wage

£14,526.20 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)

Apprentice Minimum Wage £7.55

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
37 hours per week (including allocated breaks and lunchtime), exact working days and hours TBC

37 hours 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

As an Early Years Apprentice, you will:

  • Assist teachers with planning and delivering engaging learning and play activities
  • Support pupils’ social and emotional development
  • Encourage independence and inclusion for all children
  • Provide individual and small group support under the teacher's direction
  • Help prepare and maintain learning resources and displays
  • Monitor, assess and record pupils' progress with guidance
  • Supervise pupils during non-classroom times including breaks and lunchtimes
  • Assist pupils with dressing, hygiene and mealtimes while promoting independence
  • Take part in school events and activities that support the wider life of the school
  • Uphold safeguarding, health & safety, and data protection procedures at all times
  • Contribute to a clean, safe, and nurturing learning environment

Where you'll work

Nevilles Cross Primary School Nursery Durham
Relly Path
Durham
DH14JG

Training

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

College or training organisation

DERWENTSIDE 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 Level 3
  • Training will include paediatric first aid qualification
  • All learning will be completed fully within the workplace

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Math's (grade 4/C)

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
  • Attention to detail
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

This is a hands-on, active role that involves interacting with children daily and contributing to all aspects of school life. A strong commitment to safeguarding and child welfare is essential.

About this company

Neville’s Cross is a vibrant, inclusive primary school and nursery dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment where children are encouraged to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We are committed to high-quality education and the holistic development of every child.

https://www.nevillescross.durham.sch.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion, there may be opportunities to progress into a full-time Early Years Practitioner or Teaching Assistant role within the school or wider education sector.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE

Apprenticeship Recruitment Team

apprenticeships@derwentside.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000332372.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 1 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

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