Early Years Educator Apprenticeship
Copthill Independent Day School and Nursery
Uffington Stamford (PE9 3AD)
Closes in 23 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 28 October 2026
Contents
Summary
The apprentice will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to work effectively within an Early Years setting. They will work under the guidance of experienced practitioners and gradually take on increased responsibility as their confidence, competence and understanding develop.
- Wage
-
£14,560 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Early years educator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 8:15am - 3:45 pm.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 20 January 2027
- Duration
-
1 year 9 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
- Work as part of the Early Years team and contribute positively to the ethos, aims and values of Copthill School
- Follow all school policies, procedures and professional expectations, including safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality and the Staff Code of Conduct
- Maintain professional standards of behaviour, appearance, communication and conduct
- Attend and actively participate in apprenticeship training, study sessions, assessments and reviews
- Complete all required apprenticeship work and maintain appropriate records of learning and progress
- Attend staff meetings, training and INSET as required
- Be willing to work flexibly across the Early Years department as required by the Early Years Leader
- Seek guidance and support when unsure and respond positively to feedback and professional development opportunities
- Maintain confidentiality in relation to children, families and colleagues.
*Safeguarding and Child Protection*
- Understand that safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility
- Follow the school's safeguarding and child protection procedures at all times
- Report any concerns about a child's welfare, development or safety immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or appropriate member of staff
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children and families
- Understand and follow procedures relating to intimate care, online safety, photography and children's personal information.
*Care and Well-being*
- Help provide a warm, caring and nurturing environment
- Support children's personal care routines, including toileting, handwashing, dressing and other age-appropriate self-care
- Support children during mealtimes and encourage healthy and independent eating habits
- Follow the school's procedures for allergies, dietary requirements and medical needs
- Maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness within the Early Years environment
- Support children to understand and manage their emotions and develop positive relationships
- Recognise when a child may require additional support and report concerns to the appropriate member of the Early Years team.
*Learning Environment and Resources*
- Help prepare and maintain stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments
- Support the setting up and clearing away of activities and resources
- Ensure resources are used safely and appropriately
- Help maintain clean, tidy and well-organised learning areas
- Contribute ideas for activities and experiences based on children's interests
- Support children's access to the school's outdoor learning and Forest School opportunities where appropriate
- Take part in practical activities including creative work, messy play, physical activities, music, stories and outdoor learning
Where you'll work
Copthill Independent Day School
Barnack Road,
Uffington Stamford
PE9 3AD
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
INSPIRE EDUCATION 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
An apprenticeship includes regular training with Peterborough College. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the occupational standard.
More training information
After completing the induction day at Peterborough College campus, the apprentices will be required to attend a mandatory college-based learning day on a Wednesday every 3 weeks.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Literature and/or Language (grade C/4 or above)
- Mathematics (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
- Team working
- Patience
- Willingness to Learn
- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Reliable
- Punctual
- Responsible
- Strong Literacy Skills
- Strong Numeracy Skills
- Caring
- Nurturing
- Able to build relationships
Other requirements
The school is located outside of Stamford and is not serviced by regular public transportation, so please bear transport arrangements in mind for completing this application (both during school hours and evening/weekends as required).
The successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and 2 references, prior to employment commencing (this could be before the apprenticeship starts).
Applicants MUST have achieved GCSE's in English and maths at grade 4/C or above OR the Functional Skills equivalent at Level 2 prior to the start of the apprenticeship.
All applicants will be required to complete mandatory onboarding assessments, which will consist of some online English and maths assessments and an interview, which may take place in person or over the phone.
Please ensure that you complete the application in full, including the supplementary questions and proofread before submission, as applications with spelling, punctuation and grammar errors will be automatically rejected for short-listing.
About this employer
Copthill is a truly unique school.
Founded in 1969 by Mr & Mrs Teesdale, the school began as a Nursery around the kitchen table at Copthill Farm. That Nursery grew and grew and our Nursery/Pre school Department is now a strong foundation of an independent primary school for around 300 children age 2-11. Copthill’s Nursery and Pre school is one of the longest outstanding Early Years providers in the area
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
An apprenticeship at Copthill is more than just gaining a qualification, it is the opportunity to develop your skills and begin building a rewarding career in Early Years.
You will be supported by an experienced team while gaining practical experience working with young children. As your confidence, knowledge and qualifications develop, so will your opportunities within the team.
Once qualified, opportunities may include becoming a Key Person, taking on additional responsibilities and undertaking further training. Future opportunities will reflect pupil numbers, staffing needs and the development of the Early Years provision at the time.
We are keen to invest in enthusiastic individuals who want to learn, develop and build a long-term career working with children.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
INSPIRE EDUCATION GROUP
Paula Rayner
paula.rayner@copthill.com
01780 757506
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000059699.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)