Teaching Assistant - Early Years Apprentice

THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST

Paignton (TQ3 3XA)

Closes in 7 days (Monday 6 July 2026)

Posted on 29 June 2026

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Contents

Summary

Kings Ash Academy is seeking an Early Years Teaching Assistant Apprentice to support the learning, development, and progress of pupils within our Early Years setting. You will join a dedicated and supportive team of professionals committed to delivering outstanding, creative, and engaging learning experiences for our children.

Wage

£15,341.91 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 3.30pm Training: Weekly Tuesday, 5.00pm - 8.00pm

33 hours 41 minutes 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

Support for pupils/families:

  • To effectively deliver the EYFS, ensuring that the individual needs and interests of children in the setting are met (in conjunction with other members of the nursery team)
  • To provide support for pupils to broaden and enrich their learning and promote our key learning values
  • To work alongside the nursery team and SENDCO to assist in the implementation of relevant plans
  • To support pupils under the direction of the room leader or assistant head
  • To ensure the provision of a high quality environment to meet the needs of individual children having an awareness of any additional needs, disabilities, family cultures and medical histories

Support for the Teachers:

  • Within an agreed system of supervision, to work alongside the nursery team to develop learning opportunities and an enabling environment
  • To keep records of your key children’s development and learning and share with parents, carers and other key adults in the child’s life
  • To establish positive relationships with parents/carers
  • To be proactive in managing behaviour in line with the school’s positive behaviour protocols
  • To support learning and behaviour and maintain a safe environment
  • To work alongside the nursery team to complete administration tasks and prepare resources and displays
  • To undertake other responsible duties where needed, such as domestic tasks, preparation of snack meals, cleansing of equipment, etc.

Where you'll work

Pimm Road
Paignton
TQ3 3XA

Training

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

Training provider

SOUTH DEVON 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

  • If successful, you will be enroled on a Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship with South Devon College
  • Throughout your apprenticeship, you will receive dedicated support from your assessor coach, course tutor, and the experienced team at Kings Ash Academy, providing you with the guidance and opportunities needed to develop your skills and confidence every day

More training information

  • The next Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship cohort begins on 6 October
  • Delivery takes place online every Tuesday evening, typically between 5pm and 8pm, making it accessible for those already working within a nursery setting

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

  • Enhanced DBS check
  • We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment
  • This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check
  • As per KCSIE we will also undertake online searches for all shortlisted candidates
  • If you have any questions regarding this process, please email recruitment@tsatrust.org.uk

About this employer

Kings Ash Academy is a happy, inclusive, and thriving school committed to providing a supportive environment for both our students and staff. We work closely with our parents and the wider community to ensure our students have every opportunity to reach their full potential. From our high-quality Nursery provision to Key Stage 2, we foster a love of learning, personal growth, and academic achievement in a safe and nurturing environment.

As part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, we offer unlimited professional development opportunities to help our staff grow and achieve their career goals. We believe in investing in our team because when we support our staff, we create a stronger, more successful school community.

Our broad, balanced, and creative curriculum encourages independent thinking, collaboration, and the development of essential life skills, preparing our children to thrive both academically and personally. At Kings Ash Academy, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, aspire, and achieve their highest potential.

https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Career Development
  • Health and Wellbeing Support
  • Employee Recognition
  • TSAT Benefits Portal
  • Blue Light Card

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • We are committed to supporting your professional growth and offer a wide range of opportunities for career advancement
  • From staff development days and conferences to apprenticeships, we provide clear pathways for progression and promotional opportunities across our regions

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039724.

Apply now

Closes in 7 days (Monday 6 July 2026)

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