Early Years Apprentice – Level 2 or Level 3

LITTLE LEARNERS MONTESSORI LTD

Northwood (HA6 3AA)

Closes on Wednesday 30 September 2026

Posted on 27 August 2026

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Contents

Summary

The Little Learners Montessori is looking for an Early Years Apprentice to join our Northwood nursery.

This vacancy is for candidates looking to complete either a:

  • Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship, or
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship
Wage

£17,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary: £17,500-£27,250 – dependant on age and experience

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Full-time, permanent apprenticeship, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday. Working pattern: Shifts within our nursery opening hours, including shifts between 8.00am - 6.00pm. Location: Northwood.

40 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

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

Working alongside experienced members of our nursery team, you will learn how to:

  • Support the care, learning and development of babies and young children
  • Build warm, positive and professional relationships with children
  • Support the planning and delivery of engaging play and learning opportunities
  • Learn about children's development and how to recognise their individual needs
  • Observe children's learning and development under the guidance of experienced practitioners
  • Support children's personal care routines, including nappy changing, mealtimes and toilet training where appropriate
  • Help maintain a safe, clean, stimulating and welcoming nursery environment
  • Develop positive and professional relationships with parents, carers and colleagues
  • Learn and follow safeguarding and child protection procedures
  • Follow nursery policies and procedures, including health and safety requirements
  • Develop your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Montessori approach to education
  • Participate fully in your apprenticeship, including completing the required learning, assessments and coursework
  • Take part in supervision, training and professional development opportunities
  • You will receive appropriate training, guidance and supervision as you develop your knowledge and practical skills

Where you'll work

10 Oaklands Gate
Northwood
HA6 3AA

Training

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

Training provider

LITTLE LEARNERS MONTESSORI 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

We're interested in your potential and attitude, not just your previous experience.

You should:

  • Have a genuine passion for working with babies and young children
  • Be enthusiastic about developing a career in Early Years
  • Be committed to completing a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship qualification
  • Be caring, patient, reliable and willing to learn
  • Enjoy engaging and communicating with children
  • Be able to work positively as part of a team
  • Be willing to learn about safeguarding, child development and the EYFS
  • Be able to communicate effectively with children, colleagues and parents
  • Be able to work full-time and participate in shifts within the nursery's opening hours
  • Previous nursery experience is not essential

Applicants will need to meet the eligibility and entry requirements for the relevant apprenticeship programme.

More training information

What We Can Offer You:

  • A fully supported Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years apprenticeship
    Hands-on experience within an established Montessori nursery
  • Training through our Montessori Apprentice Academy
  • An 8-week structured induction and training programme
  • A dedicated buddy during your induction
  • Regular supervision, support and feedback
  • Opportunities to progress to further Early Years and Montessori qualifications
  • Access to CPD courses and professional development workshops
  • Attendance at our annual Professional Development Day with expert-led workshops
  • Paid birthday day off each year
  • Termly team bonding events
  • Annual Christmas and summer parties
  • Free uniform and DBS
  • Annual performance and salary review
  • Opportunities for long-term career progression within The Little Learners

Requirements

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
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About this employer

First established in 1993, The Little Learners is a family-run group of nurseries with a dedicated team of Montessori-trained staff and qualified childcare professionals. We provide Montessori education and care for children from 6 months to 5 years.

We believe in developing our team and providing opportunities for people to build long-term careers in Early Years.

As an apprentice, you will be supported from the beginning of your employment through a structured induction and training programme, including a dedicated buddy to help you settle into the nursery and develop your confidence and practical skills.

https://thelittlelearners.co.uk/our-nurseries/northwood-nursery/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

The Little Learners is a family-run group of nurseries with a dedicated team of Montessori-trained staff and qualified childcare professionals. We provide Montessori education and care for children from 6 months to 5 years.

As an apprentice, you will be supported from the beginning of your employment through a structured induction and training programme, including a dedicated buddy to help you settle into the nursery and develop your confidence and practical skills.

After this apprenticeship

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

Progression to higher-level Early Years qualifications:

  • Montessori Diploma
  • Montessori Apparatus Workshops
  • Industry-leading CPD courses and regular workshops

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LITTLE LEARNERS MONTESSORI LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000050370.

Apply now

Closes on Wednesday 30 September 2026