Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprentice Level 5

MEDUSA SOJOURN

Nottingham (NG9 2AB)

Closes in 20 days (Monday 23 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 3 November 2026

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Contents

Summary

Are you passionate about inspiring children, leading by example and supporting others to deliver outstanding practice? Ducklings Nursery Ltd is looking for an ambitious Level 3 qualified practitioner to join our Beeston team as a Level 5 Lead Practitioner Apprentice and develop their leadership career!

Wage

£33,342.40 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Childcare
Company pension
Discounted or free food
Free parking
On-site parking

Training course
Early years lead practitioner (level 5)
Hours
Apprenticeship: Early Years Level 5 Lead Practitioner. Working hours: Full-time hours, shifts within nursery opening hours. Pay: Dependent on experience and apprenticeship eligibility.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 November 2026

Duration

1 year 1 month

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 the Nursery Manager with the day-to-day running and organisation of the nursery.
  • Lead by example, promoting high standards of care, education and professional practice.
  • Support, guide and mentor colleagues to deliver high-quality learning experiences and interactions.
  • Help plan, implement and evaluate an engaging and ambitious curriculum in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
  • Promote children's communication, language and literacy development, including supporting the effective use of Ducklingo and early sight-reading strategies.
  • Monitor children's learning, development and progress through meaningful observations, assessments and planning.
  • Support inclusive practice, ensuring all children, including those with SEND and additional needs, are supported to reach their full potential.
  • Work closely with the SENCO and other professionals to support children's individual needs.
  • Maintain a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures and promote a culture where children's safety and welfare are everyone's responsibility.
  • Support the implementation of nursery policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality and equality and diversity.
  • Assist with the effective organisation of rooms, staff deployment, daily routines and maintaining appropriate staff-to-child ratios.
  • Support the Nursery Manager with quality assurance, room observations, audits and continuous improvement activities.
  • Build positive and professional relationships with parents and carers, sharing information about children's progress and development.
  • Support smooth transitions for children moving between rooms and transitioning to school.
  • Contribute to staff meetings, team discussions, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation in line with nursery procedures and statutory requirements.
  • Ensure the nursery environment remains safe, clean, welcoming and stimulating for children, staff and families.
  • Attend apprenticeship training sessions and complete all assignments, coursework and assessments within the required timescales.

Where you'll work

211 Station Road
Beeston
Nottingham
NG9 2AB

Training

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

Training provider

THE RECALVI ENTERPRISE LTD

Training course

Early years lead practitioner (level 5)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Advocate for children through their child centred approach, listening to the voice of the child; ensuring children’s rights, views and wishes are heard, respected and acted upon at all times. Offer appropriate support and influence decisions in the best interests of the child.
  • Develop, model and implement strategies to support the emotional, social, psychological, physical and cultural needs of all children within the educational setting.
  • Support and promote children’s diverse speech, language and communication development and determining and adapting appropriate responses and interventions to support verbal, nonverbal interactions and engagement with written communication.
  • Support children to engage in a range of learning contexts such as individual, small groups and larger groups as appropriate for their play and support confidence within social experiences.
  • Engage in effective strategies to develop and extend children's learning and thinking, including sustained shared thinking.
  • Promote, model and support children and families to develop a healthy approach to making choices relating to personal care including eating, sleeping and physical activity.
  • Analyse and articulate how all children’s individual learning can be affected by their current developmental capabilities, characteristics and individual circumstances taking into account all factors contributing to typical and atypical development.
  • Ensure plans fully reflect the individual development needs and circumstances of children and actively participate in the provision of consistent care, responding quickly to the needs of the individual child.
  • Plan, carry out and guide appropriate personal care routines for individual children.
  • Competently action and carry out safeguarding procedures, using their professional curiosity, knowledge, insight and understanding.
  • Explore and understand, challenge and question; knowing when to act to safeguard and protect children.
  • Encourage all children’s participation, ensuring a sensitive, respectful and effective balance within the adult and child dynamic to facilitate play opportunities.
  • Ensure staff are deployed effectively to suit and enhance the learning environment, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all children.
  • Cultivate professional partnerships with parents, carers, colleagues and other professionals, presenting their understanding of the child’s journey within multidisciplinary teams to holistically support the child’s individual needs.
  • Demonstrate the importance of the home learning environment, developing an effective and collaborative partnership to enhance opportunities for the child.
  • Provide a dynamic, evolving and enabling environment that reflects the current interests, motivations, and play of individual and groups of children.
  • Use current and contemporary knowledge, research, theories and approaches to develop, enhance and articulate their own pedagogical approach and practice.
  • Observe, assess, plan, facilitate and participate in play opportunities which include current curriculum requirements.
  • Make use of formative and summative assessment, tracking children’s progress to plan for future learning possibilities including early interventions based on individual developmental needs.
  • Take responsibility for supporting the key person in articulating children's progress and planning future learning possibilities including the safe use of digital technology to communicate effectively in both oral and written English.
  • Promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
  • Be a leaderful practitioner to support, mentor, coach, train and guide colleagues in a range of educational settings, providing inspiration and motivation to engage others to develop their practice, supporting teams and guiding change.
  • Identify, action and competently challenge issues and undertake difficult conversations where appropriate.
  • Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally to enhance their practice.
  • Ensure the security and confidentiality of data, records and information in line with current legislation.
  • Identify and act upon own responsibilities in relation to health and safety, prevention and control of infection, carrying out risk assessments and risk management processes in line with policies and procedures.
  • Apply the principles of sustainability and segregate used resources for reuse, recycling, and safe disposal .
  • Advocate for children through their child centred approach, listening to the voice of the child; ensuring children’s rights, views and wishes are heard, respected and acted upon at all times. Offer appropriate support and influence decisions in the best interests of the child.
  • Develop, model and implement strategies to support the emotional, social, psychological, physical and cultural needs of all children within the educational setting.
  • Support and promote children’s diverse speech, language and communication development and determining and adapting appropriate responses and interventions to support verbal, nonverbal interactions and engagement with written communication.
  • Support children to engage in a range of learning contexts such as individual, small groups and larger groups as appropriate for their play and support confidence within social experiences.
  • Engage in effective strategies to develop and extend children's learning and thinking, including sustained shared thinking.
  • Promote, model and support children and families to develop a healthy approach to making choices relating to personal care including eating, sleeping and physical activity.
  • Analyse and articulate how all children’s individual learning can be affected by their current developmental capabilities, characteristics and individual circumstances taking into account all factors contributing to typical and atypical development.
  • Ensure plans fully reflect the individual development needs and circumstances of children and actively participate in the provision of consistent care, responding quickly to the needs of the individual child.
  • Plan, carry out and guide appropriate personal care routines for individual children.
  • Competently action and carry out safeguarding procedures, using their professional curiosity, knowledge, insight and understanding.
  • Explore and understand, challenge and question; knowing when to act to safeguard and protect children.
  • Encourage all children’s participation, ensuring a sensitive, respectful and effective balance within the adult and child dynamic to facilitate play opportunities.
  • Ensure staff are deployed effectively to suit and enhance the learning environment, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all children.
  • Cultivate professional partnerships with parents, carers, colleagues and other professionals, presenting their understanding of the child’s journey within multidisciplinary teams to holistically support the child’s individual needs.
  • Demonstrate the importance of the home learning environment, developing an effective and collaborative partnership to enhance opportunities for the child.
  • Provide a dynamic, evolving and enabling environment that reflects the current interests, motivations, and play of individual and groups of children.
  • Use current and contemporary knowledge, research, theories and approaches to develop, enhance and articulate their own pedagogical approach and practice.
  • Observe, assess, plan, facilitate and participate in play opportunities which include current curriculum requirements.
  • Make use of formative and summative assessment, tracking children’s progress to plan for future learning possibilities including early interventions based on individual developmental needs.
  • Take responsibility for supporting the key person in articulating children's progress and planning future learning possibilities including the safe use of digital technology to communicate effectively in both oral and written English.
  • Promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
  • Be a leaderful practitioner to support, mentor, coach, train and guide colleagues in a range of educational settings, providing inspiration and motivation to engage others to develop their practice, supporting teams and guiding change.
  • Identify, action and competently challenge issues and undertake difficult conversations where appropriate.
  • Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally to enhance their practice.
  • Ensure the security and confidentiality of data, records and information in line with current legislation.
  • Identify and act upon own responsibilities in relation to health and safety, prevention and control of infection, carrying out risk assessments and risk management processes in line with policies and procedures.
  • Apply the principles of sustainability and segregate used resources for reuse, recycling, and safe disposal .

Training schedule

Requirements:

  • Must already hold a recognised Level 3 Early Years Practitioner qualification.
  • Must already hold a Level 2 qualification in English.
  • Must already hold a Level 2 qualification in Maths.
  • Previous experience working within an early years setting.
  • A genuine passion for providing high-quality childcare and education.
  • Confidence in supporting, guiding and mentoring other practitioners.
  • A strong understanding of the EYFS, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with families and colleagues.
  • A proactive, organised and professional approach to work.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a wider nursery leadership team.
  • A positive, approachable attitude and a desire to make a real difference.
  • A willingness to develop leadership skills and take on additional responsibility.
  • Commitment to completing the Level 5 Lead Practitioner apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship eligibility requirements:

  • Essential: Must already hold a recognised Level 3 Early Years Practitioner qualification.
  • Essential: Must already hold Level 2 English, demonstrated by GCSE or an accepted equivalent qualification.

Essential: Must already hold Level 2 Maths, demonstrated by either:

  • GCSE or IGCSE Maths at Grade 4 or above (legacy Grade C); or
    Functional Skills Mathematics at Level 2.
  • Candidates must hold BOTH Level 2 English and Level 2 Maths before applying. These are essential requirements.
  • Must meet apprenticeship course suitability and initial assessment requirements.
  • Must have the right to work in the UK and meet apprenticeship funding eligibility criteria in England.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4 or C)
  • Mathematics (grade 4 or C)

A Level in:

Early Years Level 3 Apprentice (grade Level 3)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Caring

Other requirements

Apprenticeship eligibility requirements:

Essential: Must already hold a recognised Level 3 Early Years Practitioner qualification.

Essential: Must already hold Level 2 English, demonstrated by GCSE or an accepted equivalent qualification.

Essential: Must already hold Level 2 Maths, demonstrated by either:

  • GCSE or IGCSE Maths at Grade 4 or above (legacy Grade C); or
    Functional Skills Mathematics at Level 2.
  • Candidates must hold BOTH Level 2 English and Level 2 Maths before applying. These are essential requirements.

Must meet apprenticeship course suitability and initial assessment requirements.

Must have the right to work in the UK and meet apprenticeship funding eligibility criteria in England.

About this employer

Our Client is committed to providing high-quality early years education and care, creating a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment where every child can thrive. Our nursery in Beeston, Nottingham, is passionate about giving children the very best start in life through an ambitious and inclusive curriculum, high-quality teaching and meaningful relationships with families. We pride ourselves on creating a supportive team environment where staff are encouraged to develop professionally, share ideas and maintain high standards of care, safeguarding and education.

After this apprenticeship

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

Nursery Manager.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE RECALVI ENTERPRISE LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062277.

Apply now

Closes in 20 days (Monday 23 November 2026 at 11:59pm)