Early Years Educator Apprentice

Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as an apprentice, based in a beautiful wooden lodge, on an alpaca farm, in the countryside. We are a child-led, free-flow nursery with lots of outdoor interaction, motivated by the Curiosity Approach. We are looking for a supportive, enthusiastic and eager to learn and get involved applicant.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Wage is regularly reviewed should the outcome of regular progress meetings be positive. Currently pay above minimum wage once qualified.

Training course

Early years educator (level 3)

Hours

Monday – Friday: 5 x 8 hour shifts or 4 x 10 hour shifts. Times to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 9 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

To deliver a high standard of learning, development and care for children aged 0-5 years
To ensure that the nursery & preschool is a safe environment for children, staff and others
To develop partnerships with parents/carers to increase involvement in their child’s development
To be responsible for any tasks delegated by the Deputy Nursery Manager / Nursery Manager
To complete all academic aspects of the apprenticeship

Where you'll work

ALPACA PARK FARM
MAIN STREET
SNARESTONE
SWADLINCOTE
DE12 7DB

Training

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

College or training organisation

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

Your 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.

Your training plan

Qualification:

Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce
Level 2 Functional Skills English and maths (if required)
Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid
Level 3 Apprenticeships Standard in Early Years Educator

Delivery Method:

Onsite delivery in the work place

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English and Maths (grade C/4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

Evergreen Lodge Nursery and Preschool is a rural nursery and there is no reliable bus service, the successful candidate will need their own transport or to be local. Loughborough College reserves the right to withdraw this vacancy before the end date, following consultation with the employer.

About this company

Situated in the picturesque village of Snarestone, on the edge of the National Forest, Evergreen Lodge Nursery & Preschool is situated in a tranquil, rural setting, perfect for introducing inquisitive minds to the beauty of natural surroundings. Our lovely, spacious timber lodge is registered to accommodate 57 children aged between 3 months to 5 years, across 3 bright, stimulating rooms – Baby, Toddler and Preschool. Each room is well equipped with a wide range of toys and other educational learning resources (most of which are made from natural materials), varied role-play areas and open-ended resources, encouraging children to develop their imagination as well as build confidence, social skills and curiosity. Whilst we encourage lots of interaction with the outdoor area, such as surrounding fields, woodland, our allotment and our "Bus of Imagination" to enhance physical development, we also have the luxury of a home-from-home environment offering natural light, spacious rooms and warmth. We are also very lucky to have underfloor heating throughout, which we think is amazing. There are several areas set up and equipped to help the children feel at home, relaxed, comfortable and safe As we are the sole occupants of our secure setting, we will encourage lots of “free flow” play, where the children can decide for themselves whether they play indoors or outdoors.

http://www.evergreenlodgenursery.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

- 28 days annual leave (including bank holidays and Christmas break and birthday) - Free parking - Staff wellbeing warrior - CPD opportunities - Team building events - Open door policy - Employee of the month award

After this apprenticeship

Employment opportunity at end of placement

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