Early Years Apprentice

HEDGEHOG'S PRESCHOOL LTD

Staffordshire (ST5 1LF)

Closes in 14 days (Thursday 16 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 2 October 2025


Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic, willing to learn apprentice to join our busy Team. You will have the opportunity to participate in a supportive environment to develop behaviours, knowledge and professional skills required of the role and the team. This role is term time only.

Wage

£11,778 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)

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
30 hours per week (term time). Shifts to be confirmed.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 27 October 2025

Duration

1 year 3 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

  • Plan activities based on children’s interests
  • Help the children with general hygiene and independence
  • Interact with children, during indoor and outdoor play
  • Observe and supervise children in their play
  • Follow policies and procedures to ensure smooth running of the preschool along with other staff
  • It is vital to have good communication skills within the team in preparation for parent / career relationships

Where you'll work

Hassell Primary School
Barracks Road
Newcastle
Staffordshire
ST5 1LF

Training

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

Training provider

NEWCASTLE AND STAFFORD COLLEGES GROUP

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.

Training schedule

  • Level 3 Early years educator Apprenticeship Standard - https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0135-v1-5
  • Functional Skills in maths and English (if required)

You will spend one day a week in Newcastle College (ST5 2GB) for your training day.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C or above)
  • Maths (grade 4/C or above)

Other in:

Early years (grade Level 2)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Team working

Other requirements

Hedgehogs Preschool at Hassell.

About this employer

Hedgehogs Preschool LTD is a company established since 2010, and is made up of 4 preschools called: Hedgehogs Preschool at Silverdale, Hedgehogs Preschool at Crackley Bank, Hedgehogs Preschool at Maryhill and our newest Preschool, Hedgehogs Preschool at Hassell. We are based in primary school settings and operate during term time only.

https://www.hedgehogspreschool.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • Could lead to a permanent position for the right person

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NEWCASTLE AND STAFFORD COLLEGES GROUP

The Apprenticeship Hub

apprenticeships@nscg.ac.uk

01782 254287

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000344851.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Thursday 16 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

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