Early Years Apprenticeship

Bright Sparks Nursery

MANSFIELD (NG18 5BN)

Closes on Saturday 30 May 2026

Posted on 28 April 2026


Summary

A full-time vacancy has arisen in our wonderful setting for an
inspirational apprentice Early Years Educator.
A loyal, dedicated and highly qualified team will welcome and
support you in your role to achieve outstanding outcomes for the
littlest and most exciting members of our community.

Wage

£16,640 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)

Bonus scheme available to all employees

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
40 hour week, Monday to Friday. Shift patterns according to the rota.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 June 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

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Provide high quality care and activities for children which recognise both individual and group requirements
  • Work alongside parents and other family members and make them feel welcome
  • To commit to continuous professional development opportunities as deemed necessary
  • Monitor, identify and evaluate areas of improvement
  • Deliver childcare in a way that meets parents’ needs and work in partnership with them providing high levels of customer care at all times
  • Interact and support children of all age groups as required
  • Ensure the highest standard of child safety is always upheld within the nursery
  • Ensure the highest standards of hygiene are upheld for the children and within the environment
  • Complete relevant paperwork associated with the children and nursery requirements
  • Candidates who wish to be considered for level 2 are very welcome to apply as well

Where you'll work

DERBY ROAD
MANSFIELD
NG18 5BN

Training

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

Training provider

ACCESS TRAINING (EAST MIDLANDS) LTD

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

Apprentices will be allocated a Trainer Assessor and training will be
planned and delivered in conjunction with the employer to meet
the individual needs of the apprentice.

The apprentice will spend 20% of their working hours in off the job activities and training.

On the job and off the job training will be delivered in the
workplace.

More training information

Functional Skills Requirements for Learners aged 16-18:

Level 2 apprenticeships.

Apprentices who have not achieved the equivalent of level 1 functional skills in maths and English, will need to achieve level 1 functional skills prior to end point assessment, and then work towards level 2 functional skills.

Level 3 apprenticeships

Apprentices who have not achieved the equivalent of level 2 functional skills in maths and English, must achieve these as part of the apprenticeship and prior to end point assessment.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3 - 9)
  • Maths (grade 3 - 9)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4 - 9)
  • Maths (grade 4 - 9)

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
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

Will involve some outdoor play activities, candidates will need to bring appropriate footwear and clothing to keep warm.

It is essential to have Paediatric First Aid qualification and a Full UK driver's licence and access to a car due to location of the nursery.

About this employer

Bright Sparks Nursery is an independent family run nursery that
opened 1994
Outstanding in every area as assessed by OFSTED and set in
tranquil, rural surroundings just off the A611 North
Nottinghamshire

https://brightsparks-nursery.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Potential progression to permanent employment.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ACCESS TRAINING (EAST MIDLANDS) LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028873.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 30 May 2026