Childcare Apprenticeship - Christchurch

Dell Cottage Day Nursery

76 Walkford RoadChristchurch, Dorset BH23 5QG (BH23 5QG)

Closes on Friday 20 February 2026

Posted on 16 January 2026

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Contents

Summary

Dell Cottage Day Nursery are looking for a new Nursery Assistant Apprentice. You will be studying toward your Early Years Educator L3

Wage

£11,778 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Shifts will range between (08:00-18:00)

30 hours a week

Start date

Friday 27 February 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

As an Early Years Apprentice, you will be working towards being able to deliver on the following:

  • Ensuring a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual education and care for all children
  • Following the requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage welfare requirement
  • Working as part of a team, encourage positive attitudes between staff and children at all times
  • Acting as key person for a small group of children keeping records, setting individual targets, regularly updating and assessing progress and recording observations in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage, whilst liaising closely with parents/ carers to ensure each child’s individual needs are met
  • Implementing the daily routine at Dell Cottage and assist with the curriculum planning for each topic
  • Helping to set up the nursery if in on an early start, ensuring activities are set up and daily information slips are filled out
  • Ensuring that daily activities are planned, take place and evaluated, ensuring each activity encourages development whilst linking in with the Early Years Foundation Stage
  • To be familiar with and implement the policies and procedures and keep confidential any information regarding any children and their families or other staff members
  • Use daily diary to record any unusual or out of the ordinary comments on a daily basis
  • To advise the Manager/Deputy Manager/Supervisor of any concerns in the nursery as soon as possible

Where you'll work

76 Walkford RoadChristchurch, Dorset BH23 5QG
BH23 5QG

Training

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

Training provider

PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED

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

  • At Shaping Lives, we are dedicated to one mission: helping nurseries like yours nurture future generations through high-quality early childhood education
  • As a trusted training provider, we specialise in developing skilled, passionate educators who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children aged 0 - 5
  • Whether you're looking to enhance your current team's skills or recruit new talent, we’re with you every step of the way. Upon completion of this 18 month Apprenticeship, you will have obtained your Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship

Requirements

Essential qualifications

Other in:

Childcare/Health&Social Care (grade Pass)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Creative
  • Initative
  • Problem Solving Skills,

About this employer

Welcome to Dell Cottage Day Nursery, on the outskirts of Dorset. A family run nursery since 2006. Our vision, is for your child to feel safe and happy in an environment where they can express individual characteristics and develop self discipline and independence.

After this apprenticeship

  • There is a possibility of being offered a full time role after successful completion of the apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009288.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 20 February 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.