Early Years Teaching Assistant Apprentice
Willow Farm Primary School
Nottingham (NG4 4BN)
Closes in 22 days (Friday 12 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 21 May 2026
Contents
Summary
Willow Farm Primary School is looking for a caring, enthusiastic Apprentice Early Years Teaching Assistant to join our Early Years team. This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about working with young children to start a career in education or childcare while gaining a recognised qualification and hands-on experience.
- Wage
-
£12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Due to this position being term time only the annual wage will be pro rota'd meaning the total sum the apprentice will receive is £9,360 per year.
- Training course
- Early years educator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday. Times to be confirmed. Term time only
30 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 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
Our Early Years team is passionate about creating inspiring learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors, helping children develop confidence, independence and a love of learning from the very beginning of their school journey.
The successful candidate will work alongside experienced staff within our thriving Early Years provision, supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing in a nurturing and engaging environment.
We are proud to offer:
- A highly supportive and friendly staff team
- Excellent professional development opportunities
- A strong nurturing ethos and inclusive practice
- A successful and growing Early Years provision including our 26-place nursery
- An OPAL Platinum Award for Play Excellence
- A Platinum School Games Award
- A positive learning environment where staff wellbeing matters
What We Can Offer:
- A supportive apprenticeship programme with mentoring and training
- Hands-on experience within a successful Early Years setting
- Opportunities to work alongside experienced teachers and support staff
- Professional development and career progression opportunities
- A welcoming and inclusive school community
- Experience supporting children’s early learning, communication and development
We Are Looking For Someone Who:
- Is enthusiastic about working with young children
- Is patient, caring and nurturing
- Has good communication and interpersonal skills
- Is willing to learn and develop professionally
- Can work effectively as part of a team
- Demonstrates reliability, initiative and professionalism
- Has GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above (or is willing to work towards these if required for the apprenticeship)
- Has an interest in education, childcare or child development
Previous experience working with children is desirable but not essential.
Where you'll work
Willow Lane
Gedling
Nottingham
NG4 4BN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NOTTINGHAM COLLEGE
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
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
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
Willow Farm Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance and satisfactory references.
About this employer
Willow Farm Primary School is a welcoming, inclusive and nurturing school at the heart of the community, where every child belongs. We are proud of our strong relationships, high expectations and commitment to developing the whole child.
Our PRIDE values — Positive, Responsible, Inquisitive, Determined and Empathetic — underpin everything we do. We believe children learn best through meaningful experiences, play, exploration and positive relationships.
We are especially proud of our successful and highly regarded Early Years Unit, which provides a rich, nurturing and engaging environment for our youngest learners. In September 2025, we expanded our provision with the opening of our new 26-place nursery, which has quickly become a popular and valued part of our school community.
After this apprenticeship
Possible permanent position for the right candidate on completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NOTTINGHAM COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000033001.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Friday 12 June 2026 at 11:59pm)