Level 3 Nursery Business Apprentice
DERWENT STEPPING STONES NURSERY
DERBY (DE21 6AH)
Closes in 21 days (Friday 30 January 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 7 January 2026
Contents
Summary
To support the nursery’s business operations while gaining practical experience and completing a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship. This role combines administrative duties, reception cover, and operational support to ensure the smooth running of the nursery and high-quality service for families and staff.
- Wage
-
£11,778 a year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
30 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Weekly working hours will be worked flexibly to meet the needs of the organisation between the hours of 7:15am and 8pm.
30 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 9 February 2026
- Duration
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1 year
- 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
Reception and Front-of-House Duties:
- Cover the nursery’s reception desk, greeting parents, visitors, and contractors in a professional and welcoming manner
- Manage incoming calls and emails, ensuring queries are handled promptly or directed appropriately
- Maintain visitor logs and ensure safeguarding procedures are followed at all times
Administrative Support:
- Assist with day-to-day office tasks including filing, data entry, and record keeping
- Maintain accurate child registration and other relevant records in line with statutory requirements
- Support collation and ordering of consumable requirements of the organisation
- Support with invoicing and fee collection
Back Office and Operational Support:
- Provide administrative assistance to the Operations Manager to ensure smooth business operations
- Assist with personnel files, training records, and compliance documentation
Customer Service:
- Act as a point of contact for parents and visitors, providing a welcoming and professional service
- Support the onboarding process for new families, including paperwork and communication
Compliance and Safeguarding:
- Handle confidential information securely and in line with GDPR
- Promote safeguarding and child protection policies at all times
Marketing and Communication:
- Support marketing and social media activities to promote the nursery
- Assist with nursery newsletters and parent communications
Where you'll work
DERWENT STEPPING STONES
ST MARKS ROAD
DERBY
DE21 6AH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
EMA TRAINING LIMITED
Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
- Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
- Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
- Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
- Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
- Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
- Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.
Training schedule
If successful in being offered this position you will be enrolled onto the Business Administrator level 3 apprenticeship programme
Your training will be provided by EMA Training through online sessions and you will cover the below modules:
- Business Fundamentals
- Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
- Operations and Document Management
- IT Systems and Digital Competency
- Planning, Prioritisation and Project Support
- Decision Making and Process Improvement
- Professionalism and Personal Development
Upon completing the required content, you will enter your end point assessment, where you will be assessed through a knowledge test, project presentation and professional discussion.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Time Management Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Commitment to Safeguarding
Other requirements
The successful candidate should have the following:
- An interest in business administration within an early years setting
- The willingness to complete Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship
About this employer
YMCA Derbyshire is a non-profit organisation that has been supporting young people and communities in Derby and Derbyshire since 1847.
At the YMCA Stepping Stones Nursery on St Marks Road, our dedicated team offer opportunities for children to explore, learn and develop in a creative environment. Our children thrive under the guidance and care of our highly skilled team with lots of exciting and important activities, indoors and outdoors. Our forest garden, which was developed in 2018 by our partners at Pattonair, allows children to explore nature and to understand our environment all year round.
https://ymcaderbyshire.org.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Full training and support from YMCA Stepping Stones and the apprenticeship provider
- Opportunity to develop skills in a childcare business environment
- Access to YMCA Stepping Stones staff benefits
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
- Opportunity for a full time position within the team upon completion of the apprenticeship programme
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
EMA TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000007226.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Friday 30 January 2026 at 11:59pm)