Apprentice Early Years Educator- Playdor Nursery School – Higher Walton,PR5 4DJ

PLAYDOR LIMITED

Higher Walton (PR5 4DJ)

Closes on Friday 6 November 2026

Posted on 29 September 2026

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Summary

We need two apprentices to work towards their Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, gaining practical experience within our nursery team alongside their studies.
We welcome both people starting their working lives and those looking to change careers  later in life and we want to give the right people the opportunity to train.

• 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)

  Under 22: Starting pay of £8 per hour, where the apprentice minimum wage applies.; Aged 22 and over: Starting pay of £12.71 per hour, supporting adults who wish to retrain and enter the industry. Starting from day one- no need to wait until after their first year.

• Training course: Early years educator (level 3)
• Hours: The setting is open Monday to Friday 07.30 -18.00; the successful candidate will be offered weekly hours and working pattern: 24-40 (Part- time or full-time or job share)

  30 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 9 November 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 3 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

What you’ll do at work

• To ensure high standards in all aspects of care and development in line with the EYFS for all children attending the nursery
• To organise resources for activities and experiences in the nursery
• Working alongside experienced practitioners, apprentices will learn to support children’s play, development and daily care; build positive relationships with families; and help create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment

They will develop their understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, safeguarding and observation of children’s learning, with responsibilities increasing as their skills develop.

• To assist in enhancing the developmental progress in children
• To implement the daily routine within the nursery
• To maintain a high standard of cleanliness and good housekeeping
• To maintain a thorough knowledge of all the nursery’s policies and procedures, ensuring that they are followed and respected

Where you'll work

10 Cann Bridge Street
Higher Walton
PR5 4DJ

Training

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

Training provider

EDEN TRAINING SOLUTIONS 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

Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Standard, which includes:

• Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification
• Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if required)
• End-Point Assessment (EPA)
• Employee Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)
• Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)
• Apprentices must successfully complete the Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) or Level 3 Award in Emergency

The training schedule has yet to be agreed upon, further details will be made available at a later date.

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
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Patience

Other requirements

You will pass a DBS check and be able to provide 2 work references. 

About this employer

Since being young it was very clear to Lucy that she had a real passion for quality education in early years. She also believes in high quality teaching and learning and therefore promotes professional development for all staff. Lucy has a BA (hons) in Children, Schools and Families and is always keen to continue adding to her knowledge and qualifications. Lucy is as passionate about the extended Playdor Family as she is about her own!

Cheryl is extremely driven and ambitious when it comes to early years. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience and loves nothing more than seeing children thrive in a curious, stimulating and fun environment. Cheryl has a BA (hons) in Children, Schools and Families and is a qualified Early Years Teacher.
Having grown up in an ambitious and driven family environment Lucy has always aimed high and Cheryl from a young age worked extremely hard to ensure she could provide the best early years education for any children that came her way! Together they are a strong, ambitious, and hardworking team. Since starting their childcare career it has always been a dream of theirs to own nurseries and provide care, love, education and most importantly fun to all children who walk through their doors!

Lucy and Cheryl understand the importance of a safe and secure learning environment for children and parents alike. With three children of their own who have all attended Playdor they truly understand what an important decision it is when choosing a nursery for your children.

https://playdornurseryschool.co.uk/our-nurseries/playdor-nursery-higher-walton/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Playdor Heroes: Recognition and rewards for brilliant team members

Additional holiday allowance for loyalty and commitment
Discounted childcare
Training, development and opportunities to progress
Staff wellbeing and development sessions — with a difference
A proper Christmas party
Playdor uniform provided
Free parking
Company pension, subject to eligibility
A supportive management and ownership team who know the people working in their nurseries

After this apprenticeship

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

• Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship
• An apprenticeship allows you to earn a wage, gain valuable work experience and industry specific competence
• Potential for full-time employment on successful completion of the apprenticeship
• Transferable skills that are invaluable in the wider world of work

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EDEN TRAINING SOLUTIONS LIMITED

Miss Sally Baldwin

sally.baldwin@eden-ts.com

01924982877

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000056140.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 6 November 2026