Nursery Practitioner apprentice
Little Petals Day Nursery
READING (RG4 9SJ)
Closes on Wednesday 30 December 2026
Posted on 10 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
-
£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
-
08:00 – 18:00.
27 – 45 hours per week.
Flexible.
Days to be confirmed.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Saturday 30 January 2027
- 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
Provide high-quality care and support for children aged 0–5 years, ensuring their safety, health and wellbeing at all times.
Create a safe, secure, stimulating and welcoming environment where children feel happy, valued and supported.
Plan and deliver fun, engaging and age-appropriate activities to support children's learning, development and individual needs.
Support children's physical, emotional, social, intellectual and communication development.
Follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and support children in achieving their developmental milestones.
Observe, assess and monitor children's progress, maintaining accurate records and completing observations.
Support children's independence, confidence and self-esteem through positive encouragement and praise.
Build strong, positive relationships with children, parents, carers and colleagues.
Communicate effectively with parents and carers, providing regular updates on children's daily activities, progress and wellbeing.
Carry out daily routines, including feeding, nappy changing, toileting, handwashing and assisting with dressing.
Prepare and supervise meals and snacks, ensuring children's dietary requirements, allergies and nutritional needs are met.
Maintain high standards of hygiene, cleanliness and infection control throughout the nursery.
Safeguard children at all times, following the nursery's safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.
Identify and report any safeguarding concerns, accidents, incidents or changes in a child's behaviour or wellbeing to the appropriate person.
Supervise children during indoor and outdoor activities, outings and mealtimes.
Work effectively as part of a team, supporting colleagues and contributing to the smooth running of the nursery.
Attend staff meetings, training sessions and professional development opportunities to maintain and improve knowledge and skills.
Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally and appropriately.
Follow all nursery policies, procedures, health and safety regulations and statutory requirements.
Key skills and qualities: Patient, caring and approachable. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Reliable, responsible and organised.
Creative and enthusiastic about children's learning and development.
Able to work independently and as part of a team.
Good understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
Passionate about providing high-quality childcare and supporting children's development.
Where you'll work
23C WOOD LANE
SONNING COMMON
READING
RG4 9SJ
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
Training will take place within the setting.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- english (grade C/4 or above)
- Maths (grade C/4 or above)
early years level 2 in:
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
Must be able to pass an enhanced DBS check.
About this employer
Our independent small setting is located in the beautiful village of Sonning Common.
We care for children as young as 3 months to preschoolers of 5 years old.
3 Rooms
Outdoor & Play
Outdoor Play Area
Safety & Security
Secure Entry System
First Aid Trained Staff
Safeguarding Lead
Learning & Development
EYFS Curriculum
We are often described as somewhere between a childminder and a nursery due to our small size and personalised service.
We understand that your child is the most important creation to you and therefore we aim to deliver the best possible care and play experiences for your child.
With a view to maintain the important routines you've worked so hard to achieve and working closely with parents, carers and those involved in the child's home life.
https://www.littlepetalsdaynursery.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Paid DBS
- Discounted/ free meals
- Discounted childcare 10%
- Free on-site parking
- Team social events
- Staff recognition/rewards
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
To progress and support 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 VAC2000063466.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 30 December 2026