Early Years Apprentice

Durham County Council

Wingate (TS28 5BD)

Closes in 12 days (Wednesday 14 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 30 September 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

This apprenticeship involves working as part of a committed team, responsible for 2 year olds within a nursery setting. The role requires a highly motivated, enthusiastic, reliable and dedicated individual who is passionate about offering high quality care and learning experiences for very young children.  

Wage

£15,392 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
37 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 8:00am until 4:00pm. Whole time contract with a holiday allowance of 27 days (10 days of this would need to be used for school closures throughout the year, not including bank holidays).

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 November 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

  • To contribute to the delivery of high-quality care and education
  • Work as part of the school team, but also in partnership with Wingate Childcare team and other professionals to provide effective support with learning and play activities for very young children
  • To establish positive relationships with parents/carers, keeping them updated with their child’s progress and development
  • Plan and provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment that is appropriate for very young children, enabling them to access the provision safely
  • To participate in the daily preparation of the learning environment before the children arrive and tidying up at the end of the session/day
  • To support children during mealtimes if necessary, and participate in the daily preparation of snacks and drinks
  • To participate in professional discussion and meetings with other staff and contribute to the planning and delivery of our creative curriculum, including the monitoring and assessment of the few children in your care
  • Support children in their personal, social and emotional development, reporting problems or concerns to the teacher or senior early years educator as appropriate
  • Under the guidance of the SENCO/DSL and or teacher, understand and support children with special educational needs including those at risk, in meeting any targets outlined in their support plans
  • Under the guidance of a teacher or senior early years educator, monitor, assess and record the progress of the children in your care
  • Share information about children with other staff, parents / carers, internal and external agencies, as appropriate and in line with school policies and procedures
  • Support children with eating, dressing and hygiene, as required, whilst encouraging independence
  • Administer medications subject to agreement and in line with school policy
  • Provide basic first aid, if appropriate, ensuring timely referral to health service in emergency situations

Support for the School

  • Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection/safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
  • Show a duty of care to all children and staff and take appropriate action to comply with health and safety requirements at all times
  • Be aware of and support difference and ensure that all pupils have access to opportunities to learn and develop
  • Contribute to the overall ethos, philosophy and values of the school
  • Maintain good relationships with colleagues and work together as a team
  • Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required
  • Demonstrate and promote commitment to equal opportunities and to the elimination of behaviour and practices that could be discriminatory
  • To respect confidentiality within and outside of the school
  • Show a willingness to join in with school fundraising events – sometimes beyond the working day
  • Willing to cooperate with anything deemed reasonable asked of you by the headteacher

Where you'll work

Wingate Community Nursery
Partridge Terrace
Wingate
TS28 5BD

Training

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

Training provider

EAST DURHAM 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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

More training information

The apprenticeship involves 1 college day per month, attending East Durham College. 

Requirements

Essential 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
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

About this employer

Wingate Community Nursery is a welcoming and friendly setting where children can learn, play and grow in a safe, caring environment. The nursery provides engaging activities, encourages creativity and independence, and supports each child’s individual development. With dedicated staff and a strong community spirit, children are encouraged to build confidence and friendships.

https://www.wingatecommunitynurseryschool.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

Possibility of further training and a permanent position.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

Sarah English

sarah.english@eastdurham.ac.uk

0191 5188262

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000056272.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Wednesday 14 October 2026 at 11:59pm)