Early years practitioner Apprenticeship
HORSPATH NURSERY
OXFORD (OX33 1RY)
Closes in 23 days (Monday 16 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 23 October 2026
Contents
Summary
An Early Years Apprenticeship combines practical experience with training to learn how to care for and support children’s learning and development. Apprentices work in settings such as nurseries, helping plan activities, keep children safe and support their individual needs while working towards a recognised qualification.
- 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)
National Minimum Wage for an apprentice, open to discussion based on performance.
- Training course
- Early years educator (level 3)
- Hours
-
7:15am- 5:45pm m-f and although term time only we do offer easter and summer playscheme so staff must be ok with working 1 day of easter playscheme and 2 days of summer Playscheme
30 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 December 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
• Be an inspiring practitioner with a sound knowledge of child development.
• Be proficient in leading the delivery of all aspects of teaching and learning.
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Display a caring and nurturing attitude towards the children in your care
Role responsibilities include:
- Act as designated key person for an allocated number of children.
- To observe, plan and assess children’s learning and development within the EYFS framework.
- Develop positive partnership with parents
Be able and enthusiastic to working towards your Level 3 EYE apprenticeship qualification
Where you'll work
BLENHEIM ROAD
HORSPATH
OXFORD
OX33 1RY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SHOOTS TRAINING 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
Full time training at the setting.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- english (grade C/4 or above)
- Maths (grade C/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
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
Passing a enhanced DBS and completing mandatory training as necessary such as safeguard, prevent, FGM, manual handling, fire safety, food hygiene, first aid.
About this employer
Horspath Pre-School Nursery, which serves Horspath, Garsington, Cuddesdon, Cowley and Wheatley, is nestled in the grounds of Horspath Primary School.
We have our own separate and well-equipped outside play area and nature reserve. With access to many of the school’s facilities, we offer children from birth to 5 years an enjoyable and well-rounded environment for play and learning.
At Horspath Nursery we feel that Children’s early years are the most important years of their lives. We strive to provide high quality childcare and education for all children’s individual needs. We provide this by being positive, respectful, relaxed with the nursery having a homely, welcoming feel. We provide support and learning opportunities that are age appropriate for all children and their families.
We feel that working in partnership with parents is vital for effective learning and development for all children. This is achieved by building relationships with children and their families.
The learning environment is key to providing children with a sense of security, belonging and effective learning.
We feel that keeping children fit and healthy is an essential part of childcare. We promote this by having access to a wildlife area, school playground and nursery gardens on a regular basis and through encouraging parents to provide healthy lunches and snacks.
The Nursery has been open since 1977. It has been an integral part of the community and has provided a high quality of childcare and education for local families.
As a team we constantly self-evaluate the care and learning provided for the children in our care.
All in 1 room big area,
Birth to 11years as provides wrap around
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
You will be encouraged to further your training and move up within the company.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SHOOTS TRAINING LIMITED
Emma Ramirez
emma.ramirez@shootstraining.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000059513.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Monday 16 November 2026 at 11:59pm)