EARLY YEARS APPRENTICE

Federation of Duke Street and Highfield Nursery Schools

Federation of Duke Street & Highfield Nursery Schools (PR6 0SL)

Closes in 13 days (Monday 24 August 2026)

Posted on 6 August 2026

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Contents

Summary

The Governors of The Federation of Duke Street and Highfield Nursery Schools are seeking to appoint a highly motivated, enthusiastic and committed Apprentice Teaching Assistant to join our dedicated team.

Our federation is a warm, welcoming and inclusive learning community where children are at the heart of everything we do. 

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)

Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday.

30 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

2 years

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

  • Under the guidance of teachers and Early Years Practitioners, the apprentice will be involved in working with children to support the education, personal, social and emotional development of pupils.
  • Establish positive relationships to assist in structured learning activities and free play.

Duties may include

  • Supporting learning activities,
  • Assisting in the development of skills that support pupils' learning
  • Supporting children with additional needs.
  • The apprentice will assist in pupil supervision and pupil progress and development. 

Where you'll work

Federation of Duke Street & Highfield Nursery Schools
PR6 0SL

Training

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

Training provider

EAST LANCASHIRE LEARNING 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

You will join an OUTSTANDING nursery school where training and professional development is highly valued. Staff well-being is a priority and we have a team of mental health first aiders. You will be supported to gain your Early Years Practitioner Level 3 qualification which is the stepping stone for a future career. You will learn above and beyond in our nurturing, forward thinking nursery schools. This experience will make you stand out from the rest.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Grade 4 or above)
  • Maths (grade Grade 4 or above)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Non judgemental

About this employer

Working with children, parents/carers and families, everyone here is committed to ensuring each individual is given the opportunity to develop and make progress in all areas of learning and life. Every one of us here, want our children to continue to be excited and motivated in order to continue learning.
Highfield Nursery School in Chorley is a place where everyone matters. Involving children and families in continued learning and development improves outcomes for individuals giving them opportunities to achieve success in life.

http://www.highfieldnurseryschoolchorley.co.uk/ (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).

There is no guarantee of a role at the end of this apprenticeship, but support will be given.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EAST LANCASHIRE LEARNING GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046745.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Monday 24 August 2026)

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