Childcare Apprenticeship - Saffron Walden

Pips Nursery - Strethall Farm

Strethall Farm CottageSaffron Walden (CB11 4XJ)

Closes on Friday 26 June 2026

Posted on 22 May 2026

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Summary

Pips Nursery - Strethall Farm Cottage are looking for a Nursery Assistant Apprentice, you will be studying toward your Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship.

• Wage:

  £12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Early years educator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday-Friday (Shifts TBC).

  30 hours a week

• Start date:

  Friday 3 July 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

PIPS is a small Essex based children's nursery, providing a unique home-from-home environment for your children. Our two locations surrounding the historical town of Saffron Walden in Strethall and Hempstead, both provide a rural setting where the children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise.

As your role as an Early Years Practitioner, you will have some understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Be familiar and have some understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities in Childcare provisions. Be able to plan exciting, inviting and challenging learning opportunities that are appropriate for the stage and age of the children Develop good, strong and positive relationships with both the children and their families Be able to work independently and as part of a team. Have good communication skills

 

Your role will include;

• To assist team members in providing the highest standard of care and education for the children in daily operation of the nursery, including positive partnerships with staff and parents.
• To liaise with nursery staff regarding children’s specific needs and requirements.
• To maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment.
• To adhere to all Nursery policies and procedures
• To contribute ideas to planning to ensure children receive high quality of learning and development.           
• To always meet health and safety and environmental health requirements.

 

Where you'll work

Strethall Farm CottageSaffron Walden
CB11 4XJ

Training

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

Training provider

PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED

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

At Shaping Lives, we are dedicated to one mission: helping nurseries like yours nurture future generations through high-quality early childhood education.  

As a trusted training provider, we specialise in developing skilled, passionate educators who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children aged 0–5. Whether you're looking to enhance your current team's skills or recruit new talent, we’re with you every step of the way.  

Upon completion of this 18-month Apprenticeship, you will have obtained your Early Years Educator apprenticeship L3 Apprenticeship. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

Other in:

Childcare/Health&Social Care (grade Pass)

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

Skills

• Creative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Teamworking
• Communication Skills

Other requirements

The closing date guidance, if a successful candidate is found before the advertised dates, the advert will close early.

About this employer

A cosy and friendly environment for babies and young children from 3 months to 3 years plus, located in the rural surroundings of Strethall and Hempstead near Saffron Walden.

After this apprenticeship

There is a possibility of being offered a full-time role after successful completion of the apprenticeship. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000033161.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 26 June 2026

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