Nursery Apprentice

BELL NURSERY COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY

SAFFRON WALDEN (CB11 3ED)

Closes on Friday 31 July 2026

Posted on 23 April 2026

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Summary

Kickstart your career with an apprenticeship where you’ll gain experience while earning & learning. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals, develop valuable skills, and achieve a recognised qualification. A fantastic opportunity to grow your confidence, build your future, and take the first step into a rewarding career.

Wage

£14,976 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)

As you develop your skills and confidence, there will be opportunities for pay increases in line with your achievements.

Training course
Early years practitioner (level 2)
Hours
3 full days and 1 college day to be agreed at the interview.

36 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

4

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 a Nursery Practitioner, you will report to the Nursery Manager/Deputy and Room Supervisor.

Main responsibilities:

  • To work in accordance with the requirements of the Nursery Manager and in accordance with all nursery Policies and Procedures and regulatory bodies, including OFSTED and The Early Years Foundation Stage
  • To provide a happy, stimulating, safe, and secure environment where all children are encouraged to meet their potential and where their physical, emotional, and intellectual needs are met
  • To implement all required activities in order to meet children’s needs and to provide development opportunities
  • To work as a member of the team and encourage communication throughout the nursery
  • Attend regular staff/room meetings, possibly outside of working hours
  • Attend staff training when required, possibly outside of working hours
  • To arrange displays of children’s work
  • To settle new children into the nursery, ensuring that you liaise with parents/carers regarding their physical, emotional and development needs
  • Laundry/ cleaning duties where required
  • To keep accurate developmental records and carry out daily observations of the children, regularly sharing these with parents
  • To liaise with parents to ensure that they are happy with the standard of care and have sufficient knowledge of their child’s progress
  • To maintain the cleanliness and maintenance of the nursery and the equipment to conform to Health and Safety requirements at all times
  • To maintain the confidentiality of the nursery and the children within your care
  • To supervise students and Assistant Nursery Practitioners where appropriate
  • To report accidents and, where necessary, complete risk assessments in line with Nursery Policies and Procedures 

Where you'll work

PEASLANDS ROAD
SAFFRON WALDEN
CB11 3ED

Training

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

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

Training course

Early years practitioner (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events. e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling.
  • Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect , physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
  • Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures.
  • Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
  • Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and provision’s requirements.
  • Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
  • Promote health and wellbeing in the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
  • Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
  • Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
  • Use a range of appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
  • Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
  • Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
  • Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’s requirements.
  • Use learning activities to support early language development.
  • Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
  • Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
  • Support the graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
  • Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
  • Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
  • Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
  • Work alongside parents or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
  • Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby's or child’s care, play, learning and development.
  • Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.
  • Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events. e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling.
  • Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect , physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
  • Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures.
  • Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
  • Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and provision’s requirements.
  • Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
  • Promote health and wellbeing in the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
  • Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
  • Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
  • Use a range of appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
  • Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
  • Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
  • Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’s requirements.
  • Use learning activities to support early language development.
  • Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
  • Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
  • Support the graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
  • Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
  • Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
  • Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
  • Work alongside parents or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
  • Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby's or child’s care, play, learning and development.
  • Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

More training information

In addition to the formal apprenticeship programme, you’ll benefit from a range of extra training and development opportunities designed to help you grow professionally and personally. These may include in-house workshops on communication, teamwork, and time management, as well as training on industry-specific software and systems.

You’ll also have access to mentoring from experienced colleagues, regular one-to-one support sessions, and opportunities to attend external courses or webinars relevant to your role. This additional training will help you build confidence, broaden your skill set, and prepare you for long-term career progression within the business.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3 or D)
  • Maths (grade 3 or D)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Applicants should be aware that this role involves working in a busy childcare nursery environment, supporting the care and development of young children. The role is active and hands-on, with much of the day spent on your feet, engaging children in play, learning activities, and daily routines.

You may be required to assist with tasks such as lifting or supporting young children, setting up and clearing away activities, and maintaining a clean and safe environment. The role may also involve both indoor and outdoor activities in all weather conditions.

A caring, patient, and energetic approach is essential, as well as the ability to stay calm and professional in a fast-paced setting. You will also need to follow safeguarding procedures at all times and be prepared to balance your work responsibilities with your apprenticeship studies. 

About this employer

Bell Day Nursery CIC is a community-focused childcare provider dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for young children. As a Community Interest Company (CIC), the nursery is committed to reinvesting in the local community and delivering high-quality early years education and care.

The team at Bell Day Nursery CIC is passionate about supporting children’s development through play-based learning, helping each child grow in confidence, independence, and social skills. Staff work closely with families to ensure every child receives the best possible start in life.

As part of the team, you will be joining a supportive and friendly working environment where your development is valued, and where you can make a real difference in the lives of children and their families.

Company benefits

We offer a competitive apprenticeship salary, with regular reviews based on performance and progression throughout your programme. 

 

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there are excellent opportunities to progress within the business. You may be offered a full-time, permanent position in your chosen area, allowing you to continue developing your skills and experience.

From there, you could progress into more senior roles, such as team leader or supervisor, with the potential to specialise in specific areas of the business. There may also be opportunities to undertake further training or higher-level apprenticeships to continue your professional development.

This apprenticeship is designed to provide a strong foundation for long-term career growth, giving you the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to build a successful career. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027912.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 31 July 2026