Early Years Educator Apprenticeship

ACORNS PLAYGROUP LTD

HARROGATE (HG1 3BA)

Closes on Friday 20 March 2026

Posted on 5 February 2026

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Summary

  • We are an independent outstanding preschool open school hours and term time only based in Bilton Grange School, Harrogate
  • We are looking for someone with some experience and knowledge working in Early Years

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Starting wage will be £8 per hour and reviewed after completing a probationary period.  This will be paid pro rata based on 35 hour a week, 38 weeks a year plus 5.6 weeks paid holiday per annum.  

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, term time only, 8.30am until 3.30pm

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 11 May 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

Safeguarding children is at the heart of everything we do. A full DBS check will need to be completed and all required references will be taken up. Safeguarding training will be part of the role. Your main duty at all times is to ensure the safety and well-being of all children by ensuring that you are aware of, and follow, Acorns safeguarding policy.

  • The ethos of Acorns is one of intentional pedagogy in that we follow the children’s interest, allowing them to choose their play independently within the rules and boundaries which support their safety and well-being
  • General duties include supporting children in their play and learning by following the ethos of the setting, ensuring that children are kept safe at all times
  • Welcoming children individually and settling in children who are upset on arrival.  Spending time with your key children whilst supporting the needs of other children. Encourage children in their learning supporting their play appropriately, following their interests. Listen to all children effectively and take a genuine interest in them Reading to children, encourage conversations and language development. To be able to support maths development
  • Putting away coats and bags, helping children changing into their indoor shoes and settling them by finding an activity to do.
  • Certain areas are managed on a rota basis which you will be a part of. 

Included are:

  • Once through a period of supervision, carrying out nappy changing and keeping the toilet area clean and tidy, supporting children with their personal hygiene, changing children who need clean clothing, helping with handwashing, completing toileting records
  • Preparing snack, supervising the children and cleaning up afterwards.  Setting up packed lunches, wiping down the tables and cleaning the floor afterwards. Carry out some food preparation activities. Being aware of allergies and also potential choking hazards.  Ensuring that the kitchen area is clean at all times and equipment is safely stored away.  Supervising toothbrushing
  • Setting up the outside area and ensuring it is secure and safe, making sure it is clear of leaves and general debris first, organising activities if required. Making sure all children are suitably dressed.  Joining in outdoor play activities. Setting out and putting away any equipment needed.  Ensuring the sandpit is clean, opening it up and tidying it away at the end of the session.  Checking children are safely inside before closing up
  • All staff have a selected number of key children and work closely with families ensuring the best outcome for the child. You will be expected to go on home visits, update families on positive achievements and how their child is doing, and also be able to communicate effectively and empathetically with regards to any issues that may have developed. Having a strong and positive relationship with the family is vital in order to do this effectively.  You must be polite and courteous to parents and children at all times.  All children and parents must be treated with the same unconditional, positive regard, no matter what their needs, background or abilities are
  • Be able to contribute to weekly planning meetings and also be able to discuss the development of each of your key children on a regular basis as well as being able to liaise with colleagues with regards to how you have supported their key children and complete records. Be involved in writing learning stories and contribute towards the daily Tapestry update

Where you'll work

BILTON GRANGE CP SCHOOL
BILTON LANE
HARROGATE
HG1 3BA

Training

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

Training provider

LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP

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

This apprenticeship is fully work based, the assessor will visit the apprentice in the workplace, set tasks, observe practice, provide feedback and complete reviews

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

Other in:

Early Years (grade 2)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Reliable
  • Enthusiastic
  • self motivated
  • Trustworthy
  • Flexible
  • Cheerful personality
  • Friendly
  • Confident
  • Reflective

Other requirements

  • Safeguarding is essential and a DBS will be requested.  A self disclosure statement will also need to be completed as part of the application process  We will ask for employment history as well as education and training with reasons for leaving.  We require a minimum 2 references (1 from your current job/college.  References will not be accepted from family or friends). Paediatric First aid required, which we will  support you to complete.  Digital screening will also be done as part of the recruitment process.

About this employer

  • We are an independent outstanding preschool open school hours and term time only based in Bilton Grange School, Harrogate. We care for children from the age of 2 to 4 years and can have up to 24 children in any one session.  We have been rated outstanding by Ofsted 4 times. We have 35 children on our roll. There are two joint managers and 2 employees.

    We currently have around 60% of children where English is an additional language and also we support several children with special educational needs.
    Acorns has been established for over 20 years.  We are a small friendly team, current staff have worked together for 8 years.

https://acornsplaygroup.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • The possibility of permanent employment if the candidate fits in with the rest of the team and has gained enough skill and knowledge

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013417.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 20 March 2026