Nursery Apprentice
HAPPY FEET NURSERY & PRESCHOOL (WIMBORNE) LTD
Wimborne (BH21 2DT)
Closes in 30 days (Wednesday 9 December 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 9 November 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
-
£18,720 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Early years practitioner (level 2)
- Hours
-
08:00 - 18:00.
48h 45 minutes hours per week
(Maximum 8 hours per day for under 18's).
Patterns to be discussed.
45 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 13 January 2027
- Duration
-
1 year
- Positions available
-
2
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
Purpose of the Role
To learn and develop the skills required to become a confident early year’s practitioner while contributing to children’s care, learning and wellbeing. All duties must be carried out in line with the EYFS, Ofsted requirements and Happy Feet policies, with appropriate supervision.
Key Responsibilities
- Support high‑quality care and interactions under supervision.
- Assist with planning, observations and assessments; reflect on feedback.
- Help maintain a safe, inclusive environment; follow daily checks and routines.
- Safeguard children at all times; report concerns immediately to a senior/DSL.
- Follow hygiene, infection control, medication and allergy practices as trained.
- Work positively with colleagues and parents; communicate professionally.
- Use Blossom (or agreed systems) to support observations/records as directed.
Training & Development Expectations
- Engage fully with apprenticeship training and off‑the‑job learning requirements.
- Complete mandatory training (e.g., Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid when eligible).
- Attend inductions, supervisions and reviews, act on agreed targets.
- Maintain an organised portfolio/evidence log as required by the training provider.
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Attributes
- Genuine interest in early years and a caring, patient approach.
- Willingness to learn, take feedback and follow procedures.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- Basic understanding of safeguarding and child wellbeing (training provided).
Flexibility Clause
The duties outlined are not exhaustive and may be varied to meet the changing needs of the nursery. You may be required to work in other rooms or settings within Happy Feet Nursery to support operational needs.
Where you'll work
120 Wimborne Road West
Wimborne
BH21 2DT
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 practitioner (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events. e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling.
- Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect , physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
- Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures.
- Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
- Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and provision’s requirements.
- Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
- Promote health and wellbeing in the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
- Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
- Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
- Use a range of appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
- Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
- Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
- Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’s requirements.
- Use learning activities to support early language development.
- Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
- Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
- Support the graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
- Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
- Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
- Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
- Work alongside parents or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
- Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby's or child’s care, play, learning and development.
- Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.
- Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events. e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling.
- Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect , physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
- Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures.
- Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
- Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and provision’s requirements.
- Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
- Promote health and wellbeing in the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
- Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
- Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
- Use a range of appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
- Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
- Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
- Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’s requirements.
- Use learning activities to support early language development.
- Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
- Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
- Support the graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
- Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
- Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
- Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
- Work alongside parents or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
- Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby's or child’s care, play, learning and development.
- Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.
Training schedule
Training will take place within 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
Pass an enhanced DBS.
About this employer
Welcome to the original Happy Feet – where it all began.
Located near the heart of Wimborne, our original setting is where the Happy Feet journey began. It was built from a simple but powerful idea — to create a nursery that felt open, inspiring, and truly child-focused.
Our nursery is thoughtfully designed to feel calm yet alive — a light-filled, open-plan environment where learning flows as naturally as play. Indoors and outdoors connect in harmony, allowing children to move, create, and discover with ease and with natural materials to ground little feet as they grow, every inch is shaped with intention. This is a space that adapts to every stage, every mood, and every little personality.
It’s here that the Happy Feet vision first came to life: a nurturing world where traditional values meet fresh thinking. Every corner is crafted to spark curiosity, foster independence, and surround your child with care, warmth, and wonder.
The Nursery has a secure easy access outside space with bi-folding door to the inside, therefore creating the ultimate free flow area. The nursery has been designed to create a calming and neutral environment with natural materials being used
Age Range
0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months
http://www.happyfeetnursery.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Paid DBS
- Birthday leave
- Paid uniform/allowance
- Free on site parking
- Team social events
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
To progress within the company and take on more responsibilities.
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 VAC2000063176.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Wednesday 9 December 2026 at 11:59pm)