Apprentice Early Years Educator - Buckland St Mary C of E Nursery

THE ACADEMY FOR CHARACTER AND EXCELLENCE

Chard (TA20 3SJ)

Closes in 6 days (Friday 20 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 6 February 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

This apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity for an individual with relevant experience in a nursery/school to develop their knowledge & skills in early years education. You will work towards a Level 3 qualification in a setting well regarded for its inclusive approach & excellent support it offers to children & families.

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)

Actual annual salary £9,854, Term time only

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
30 hours per week, between the hours of 8am to 4.30pm. Hours will be discussed and agreed upon at appointment. Term time only.

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 March 2026

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

  • Teach and facilitate children's learning through play
  • Apply the observation, assessment, and planning cycle to support progress and children's development
  • Be a key person for one or more children
  • Interact with children, parents, carers, colleagues, and wider multi-agency professionals. This includes supporting children with SEND
  • Be responsible for ensuring a safe and secure environment for children's learning
  • Create and plan for the provision of a high-quality play through effective room organisation and provision of resources, both indoors and outdoors, in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage
  • Ensure that the learning environment and provision is inclusive and supports all children
  • Undertake a leadership role within the setting, once training has been given
  • Support other staff to develop their skills through peer observations
  • To provide flexibility in coverage and care at short notice in the event of unforeseen circumstances

Where you'll work

Buckland St Mary C of E Primary School
St Marys Cl Buckland St Mary
Chard
TA20 3SJ

Training

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

Training provider

RICHARD HUISH TRUST

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
  • Functional skills in maths & English (Level 2) (if required)
  • College sessions, once a fortnight

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Literacy skills
  • Hard working
  • Good time management
  • Friendly, kind and caring
  • Able to follow instructions
  • Punctuality
  • Keep on top of college work
  • Dedicated to apprenticeship
  • Ability to maintain records
  • Observe and monitor progress

Other requirements

You must undertake a DBS and provide two references. An earlier start date may be considered.

About this employer

Buckland St Mary Nursery offers sessional nursery care for children from two years old and we are registered to take twelve children per session.

Willow Nursery is situated in the beautiful Blackdown Hills in the grounds of Buckland St. Mary Primary School. The nursery shares the school’s playground, equipment and facilities and is a fabulous setting for Early Years Education. We provide a safe, stimulating and caring environment that promotes learning through play, using a wide range of resources, and supporting children to develop their social skills as they play alongside and with other children.

After this apprenticeship

Fully qualified and will be able to apply for a permanent role if available. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

RICHARD HUISH TRUST

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000012289.

Apply now

Closes in 6 days (Friday 20 February 2026 at 11:59pm)