Early Years Educator Nursery Apprentice

The Butterfly Patch Croydon

Croydon (CR0 7RR)

Closes in 6 days (Sunday 20 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 9 September 2026

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Summary

Start your career in Early Years while earning and learning! Join our friendly Hampton Court nursery team, gain a nationally recognised qualification and learn how to support children through play, care and everyday experiences. No childcare experience is needed – just reliability, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

• Wage:

  Competitive

  Competitive wage offered

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Starting salary of £20,000–£26,000 depending on age and previous experience. We believe apprentices should be rewarded fairly while they learn, so our pay is significantly above the minimum apprenticeship wage. Your salary will be reviewed as you develop and progress. Once qualified, Nursery Practitioners can earn up to £30,000+, with further increases as you progress into senior and management roles.

• Training course: Early years educator (level 3)
• Hours: 4 days - 7:30am to 6:30pm or 5 days - 8-hour shifts. Days and shifts TBC

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Friday 9 October 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 1 month

• 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 children’s learning and development through play and everyday experiences.
• Plan and take part in fun, age-appropriate activities.
• Read stories, sing songs, get creative and explore indoors and outdoors with the children.
• Observe children’s development and celebrate their progress.
• Support children with meals, personal care, sleep and daily routines.
• Help create a safe, welcoming and stimulating nursery environment.
• Build positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
• Learn how to follow the EYFS and our nursery policies and procedures.
• Work alongside experienced Nursery Practitioners who will support and mentor you.
• Complete a small amount of essential record keeping as part of your role and apprenticeship.
• Most importantly, spend your day helping children feel happy, safe and excited to learn.

Where you'll work

The Butterfly Patch
Norman House
Brookside Way
Croydon
CR0 7RR

Training

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

Training provider

HAWK MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED

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 work towards the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship, gaining the knowledge, skills and experience needed to become a qualified Nursery Practitioner.
• Most training will take place within the nursery during your normal working hours, learning alongside experienced practitioners and managers.
• You will have dedicated time during your working week to complete apprenticeship learning, coursework and training activities.
• Your apprenticeship training provider and assessor will meet with you regularly to support your progress and help you complete your qualification.
• You will receive ongoing practical training, mentoring and support from our experienced nursery team throughout your apprenticeship.
• There is no regular travel to college required, unless specifically arranged as part of your training.

More training information

• Your apprenticeship will combine practical, hands-on experience in the nursery with dedicated time for apprenticeship study and coursework.
• You’ll be supported throughout by your training provider, assessor, Nursery Manager and experienced practitioners.
• Regular progress reviews will help you stay on track, build confidence and identify any additional support you need.
• We have experience supporting apprentices and understand that everyone learns differently. You won’t be expected to know everything from day one.
• On successful completion, you’ll have the opportunity to continue your career with us as a qualified Nursery Practitioner, with further training and progression available.

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
• Team working
• Initiative
• Non judgemental

About this employer

The Butterfly Patch nurseries are a privately-owned business with 6 nurseries in South London and Surrey area, with plans to expand. We pride ourselves on inspiring care and learning for our little ones. Every one of our nurseries has its own look and feel but it is very much The Butterfly Patch. We are a growing business with 80+ employees, so there are always new opportunities to grow and progress in your career.

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

Company benefits

• Flexible 4 or 5-day working patterns
• 40–60% staff childcare discount
• Uniform provided
• £200 employee referral bonus
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 24/7 video GP service
• Company discounts and rewards
• Ongoing training and further qualifications
• Genuine career progression opportunities
• Supportive, friendly nursery team with regular staff events and recognition

Days and shifts TBC

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

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

Our aim is for you to stay and build your career with us after completing your apprenticeship. Many of our apprentices have progressed into permanent qualified roles and continued developing within the company.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HAWK MANAGEMENT (UK) LIMITED

hr@thebutterflypatch.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000052517.

Apply now

Closes in 6 days (Sunday 20 September 2026 at 11:59pm)