Playworker Apprentice

EA COACHING LTD

Banbury, Kettering, Northampton

Closes on Monday 31 August 2026

Posted on 16 July 2026

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Summary

We are looking for enthusiastic and caring individuals with a passion for working with children. As a Playworker Apprentice, you will support the delivery of engaging, safe and inclusive before-school, after-school and holiday club sessions, helping children learn, develop and have fun through play.

• 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)

  The annual wage will be discussed in full at interview stage as it will be dependent on qualifications and experinece

• Training course: Playworker (level 2)
• Hours: Monday - Friday (available working hours 7.30am - 6.00pm).

  30 hours a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 2 months

• Positions available:

  5

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 apprentice, you'll work within schools and gain valuable hands-on experience alongside experienced staff while developing the skills and knowledge required to become a qualified Playworker.

What you'll do at work
The role of a Playworker Apprentice includes:

• Assist in delivering high-quality before-school, after-school and holiday club sessions.
• Support children's learning, development and wellbeing through play.
• Create a safe, inclusive and engaging environment for children.
• Encourage children's creativity, confidence and independence.
• Help set up and pack away play equipment and resources.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure safeguarding and health & safety procedures are followed.
• Complete 6 hours of off-the-job training each week as part of your apprenticeship.

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• Southam Road, Banbury, OX16 2EG
• Highfield Road, Kettering, NN15 6HY
• Thurston Drive, Kettering, NN15 6PB
• Derngate, Northampton, NN1 1TY
• Spring Lane, Northampton, NN1 2JW

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

• On successful completion of the programme, you will achieve a Level 2 Playworker Apprenticeship Standard.

  Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve these qualifications before completing their End Point Assessment.

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
• Customer care skills
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

Working week will consist of hours between Monday to Friday, 7.30am and 5.00pm, and weekends when required. A driving licence is essential as there will be travel between various locations.

About this employer

EA Coaching is part of Premier Education Group and has been providing schools, children and parents with innovative programmes and initiatives for over fourteen years. Established in 1999, we provide a wide range of services to schools and communities throughout the UK. The group, consisting of Premier Sport, Premier Performing Arts and The Golden Mile, collectively employs over 800 qualified professionals and last year our activities received over 5 million visits

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

• We have an intensive training structure to ensure that our staff are qualified to the highest possible standard
• Our most talented and ambitious professionals can make their way through our bespoke career journey

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD

Dean Mcbride

dmcbride@premier-education.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043088.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 31 August 2026