Nursery Apprentice

LIME TREE DAY NURSERY

Loughborough, LOUGHBOROUGH

Closes in 16 days (Wednesday 29 April 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 13 April 2026

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Summary

As a Nursery Apprentice, you will support qualified early years staff in providing safe, nurturing, play‑based care for children. You will help with daily routines and maintain a positive, welcoming environment. This hands‑on introduction to childcare that builds a strong foundation for a future career in early years education.

Wage

£15,392 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)

Salary is relevant for apprentices 19 and under or those sitting their first year of apprenticeship.

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Hours between 7.15am - 6.15pm, Monday to Friday. TBC on employment.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 29 June 2026

Duration

1 year 9 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

  • Supporting children’s learning through play‑based activities
  • Assisting with daily routines such as meals, toileting, and nap times
  • Helping to set up engaging learning environments
  • Observing children’s development and planning activities to extend learning
  • Building positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues
  • Always follow safeguarding and health and safety procedures.
  • Completing apprenticeship coursework and additional training tasks

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • Great Central Road, Loughborough, LE11 1RW
  • Loughborough Road, Quorn, Loughborough, LE12 8DY
  • 231 Cossington Road, Sileby, Loughborough, LE12 7RR
  • 42 King Street, Sileby, Loughborough, LE12 7NA
  • 68 NORTH STREET, BARROW UPON SOAR, LOUGHBOROUGH, LE12 8QA

Training

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

Training provider

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

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

  • Apprenticeship session to assist with portfolio building and preparation for End Point Assessment
  • Diarised visits from dedicated Trainer/Assessor
  • Attendance at Loughborough College for an Induction Day (Induction to take place on the last Wednesday of the month that you are enrolled, 9:30am-3pm. Confirmation of date provided upon enrolment)
  • Attendance at Loughborough College for Functional Skills (if required)
  • On-the-job training
  • Off-the-job training

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

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

BTEC in:

Childcare (grade Pass)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

To be successful in this role, you must be able to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and pass an enhanced DBS check to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in our care. These requirements help us maintain a secure, consistent, and supportive environment for both staff and families.

About this employer

Lime Tree Day Nurseries are Forward Thinking and value and invest in their employees and nurture and support their staff throughout their childcare careers. Lime Tree have 5 nurseries within the Charnwood area ranging in child capacity from 45 to over 100 children at some our larger settings. With a high retention rate of staffing, we can offer you a long career with stability and career progression. Do you have a passion for childcare and want to nurture and support our Little Limes?

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

Company benefits

  • Discounted/Free Food
  • Wellness Programs
  • Childcare
  • Referral Bonus
  • Additional Birthday Day Off

After this apprenticeship

A nursery apprenticeship opens the door to a clear and rewarding career path in early years education. After completing the apprenticeship, many progress into roles such as Nursery Practitioner, taking on more responsibility for planning activities and supporting children’s development. With experience, they can move into senior positions like Room Leader, Deputy Manager, or Nursery Manager. You may choose to specialise to focus on your areas of interest such as SEND workers or a safeguarding officer.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

Sophia Cleaver

apprenticeships@loucoll.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000025157.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Wednesday 29 April 2026 at 11:59pm)