Apprentice Playworker

PLAY SPORTS LTD

Chesterfield (S40 3NS)

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 7 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 20 August 2025


Summary

We are offering a Level 2 Play Worker Apprenticeship, designed for individuals who want to build a rewarding career supporting children in schools and wraparound care settings.

Wage

£11,778 to £19,047.60, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Playworker (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 7.00am - 9.00am and 3.00am - 6.00pm. Before and after school

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

Duration

1 year 2 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

  • This apprenticeship provides practical, hands-on experience while you gain nationally recognised qualifications in playwork and childcare. On-the-job training working with children in primary schools, both in sports sessions and wraparound care
  • Mentoring from experienced coaches and playworkers
  • The opportunity to develop key skills in child engagement, activity planning, communication, and teamwork. A supportive environment where you can grow professionally and gain confidence in working with children of different ages and abilities
  • This apprenticeship is perfect for anyone passionate about working with children, who enjoys sports, play, and education
  • By joining us, you’ll gain valuable qualifications, real-world experience, and the chance to make a positive impact on children’s lives every day

Where you'll work

Chatsworth Road
Chesterfield
S40 3NS

Training

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

Training provider

THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD

Training course

Playworker (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
  • Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
  • Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
  • Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
  • Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
  • Contribute to play audits.
  • Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
  • Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
  • Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
  • Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
  • Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
  • Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
  • Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
  • Contribute to health and safety checks.
  • Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
  • Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
  • Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
  • Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
  • Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
  • Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
  • Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
  • Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
  • Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
  • Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
  • Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
  • Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.
  • Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
  • Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
  • Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
  • Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
  • Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
  • Contribute to play audits.
  • Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
  • Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
  • Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
  • Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
  • Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
  • Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
  • Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
  • Contribute to health and safety checks.
  • Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
  • Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
  • Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
  • Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
  • Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
  • Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
  • Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
  • Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
  • Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
  • Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
  • Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
  • Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.

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.

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
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience

Other requirements

A driving licence would be preferred but is not essential, depending on your location. We are looking for someone who has: Strong communication skills A driven and motivated attitude Confidence in their abilities Initiative and problem-solving skills The ability to think and work independently

About this employer

We are a dedicated sports coaching company specialising in delivering high-quality physical education and sports sessions in primary schools. Alongside our PE provision, we also provide wraparound care before and after school, ensuring children are supported, active, and engaged throughout the day. Our work not only inspires children to enjoy sport and develop healthy lifestyles, but also supports schools by offering structured, reliable, and enriching activities that enhance the school day. For an apprentice, working with us offers the opportunity to: Gain hands-on experience in sports coaching and childcare. Develop confidence in leading sessions with children of different ages and abilities. Work alongside experienced coaches who provide mentoring and professional development. Build valuable skills in organisation, teamwork, and communication that are transferable to a career in sport, education, or childcare.

https://www.premier-education.com/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000338191.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 7 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.