Early Years Educator Apprentice

THE BRIDGE NURSERY LTD

HIGH PEAK (SK23 7JH)

Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026

Posted on 23 March 2026

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Summary

You are expected to work toward Nursery Practitioner competencies with a positive attitude and willingness to learn. You should reflect on your practice, show resilience, and engage in both practical tasks and learning. The team will support you throughout, and 20% of your time is set aside for off‑the‑job learning arranged by management.

• Wage:

  £12,480 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)

  Performance related pay reviews.

• Training course: Early years educator (level 3)
• Hours: Usually this role would be 30 hours over 4 days. Shifts can be any time between our opening time of 7.30am to closing at 6pm.

  30 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 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

Key role responsibilities include:

• To provide physical and emotional care
• To support the day to day running of the setting
• To complete key children developmental records
• To support colleagues and work as a team to provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment for all children
• To assist in providing a range of stimulating and exciting activities for the children which encourage independence, motivation and an eagerness to learn
• To work as part of the team to ensure that the EYFS framework is implemented and Ofsted standards are adhered to at all times

Where you'll work

110A BUXTON ROAD
WHALEY BRIDGE
HIGH PEAK
SK23 7JH

Training

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

Training provider

UNIVERSITY OF DERBY

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

• Learning takes place within the workplace, however, college operates a 6 weekly activity days that are optional to attend
• Your management will confirm which you will be attending

Requirements

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

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• reliable
• An Interest in the industry
• Ability to learn

Other requirements

• Transport to work
• Passion for working with children

About this employer

The Bridge Nursery is a day nursery serving the village of Whaley Bridge and the surrounding High Peak.  We have been operating for 2 years now, and are a growing team and community.   

http://www.thebridgenursery.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

We provide uniform.  Childcare discount.

After this apprenticeship

• Potential for permanent position
• Opportunities for internal promotion

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNIVERSITY OF DERBY

Tom Hutchins

tom@thebridgenursery.co.uk

01663 738491

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000022581.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.