Playworker Apprentice

PLAY SPORTS LTD

Nottingham (NG11 6QW)

Closes on Tuesday 25 August 2026

Posted on 17 July 2026


Summary

Kick-start your career in childcare as a Level 2 Playworker Apprentice! Gain hands-on experience delivering fun, engaging activities for children, earn while you learn, and achieve a nationally recognised qualification with support from an experienced team.

Wage

£12,480 to £19,827.60, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Pay increase after a year 

Training course
Playworker (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday Shifts to be confirmed

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

  • Support the planning and delivery of fun, safe and engaging play activities for children aged 4-12
  • Supervise children during activities, encouraging participation, teamwork and positive behaviour
  • Help set up, organise and pack away equipment and activity areas
  • Build positive relationships with children, parents, schools and colleagues
  • Ensure children's safety by following safeguarding, health and safety and company procedures at all times
  • Assist with registration, signing children in and out, and maintaining accurate records
  • Encourage inclusive play, ensuring every child feels welcome and supported
  • Work alongside experienced Playworkers to develop your skills and complete your Level 2 Playworker Apprenticeship

Where you'll work

Bunny Primary School
Church St Bunny
Nottingham
NG11 6QW

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

  • Training will be delivered through a combination of online learning and practical, on-the-job training
  • The apprentice will complete regular online sessions with the training provider while developing their skills at our holiday club and wraparound care venues, supported by experienced colleagues

Requirements

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

Skills

  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Creative

Other requirements

  • Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

About this employer

Premier Education provides sports, physical activity, childcare, and enrichment programmes for primary school children across the UK, helping schools and families support children's health, wellbeing, and personal development.

https://www.premier-education.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

  • On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities to progress into a Playworker role, Assistant Venue Lead or Venue Lead position
  • Further training and development opportunities are also available for those looking to build a long-term career in childcare and activity delivery

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PLAY SPORTS LTD

Luke Haxby

lhaxby@premier-education.com

07960168319

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043188.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 25 August 2026