Early Years Apprentice
Level 2 or Level 3 pathway | Full-time | Earn while you learn
Start your early years career where every child can thrive.
Lily’s Nursery and Daycare is a brand-new early years setting in Greenhithe, Kent, caring for children from 6 months to 5 years across three dedicated rooms. We are looking for enthusiastic apprentices to train with us from the very beginning. You will earn while you learn, working towards a nationally recognised early years qualification with the support of an experienced mentor, in a setting that is building its practice around the standards Ofsted expects of an outstanding nursery.
The apprenticeship – what you will gain
Your apprenticeship is a real, paid job with a contract of employment, an apprenticeship agreement and an individual training plan agreed between you, Lily’s and an approved training provider, in line with the Government’s apprenticeship rules.
- A nationally recognised qualification: the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner or Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard, completed through an approved training provider and a final end-point assessment
- Paediatric first aid training – on the Level 3 pathway you must achieve a full and relevant paediatric first aid award before your end-point assessment, as the standard requires
- Protected off-the-job training time within your paid working hours, meeting at least the minimum training hours published for your apprenticeship standard
- Support with Level 2 English and maths if you are aged 16–18 and do not already hold them (optional for apprentices aged 19 or over, in line with current Government rules)
- A named mentor, regular supervision and study support, with college or training-provider sessions and assignments built into your working week
- Experience across all three of our rooms – babies, two-year-olds and preschool – so you learn how children develop from 6 months to 5 years
- A clear progression route: Level 2 to Level 3, and beyond to Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner or early years teaching qualifications
- At least the national apprentice minimum wage for every hour you work, study and train, plus full holiday entitlement (a minimum of 5.6 weeks per year)
Apprenticeships last a minimum of eight months; most of our apprentices will train for around 12 months (Level 2) or 18 months (Level 3) before their end-point assessment. You will be supported and supervised at all times, and you will never be left solely responsible for a group of children until all suitability checks are complete and your competence and confidence have been assessed.
What an outstanding apprentice looks like
Lily’s is building its practice around the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the standards Ofsted expects of an outstanding setting under the Education Inspection Framework. With our training and mentoring, by the end of your apprenticeship you will be able to:
- Understand and apply the nursery’s safeguarding and child protection procedures – recognising signs of concern, knowing exactly who to report to, and contributing to a strong culture of safeguarding
- Provide warm, high-quality interactions that support children’s communication, language and early learning, under the guidance of qualified colleagues
- Show a growing knowledge of child development and of our curriculum – what children are learning, why, and what comes next
- Support positive behaviour calmly and consistently, building respectful relationships with every child
- Help children develop independence, healthy routines and confidence in their personal, social and emotional development
- Reflect on your own practice, act on feedback from your mentor and supervisions, and take ownership of your professional development
- Grow into being counted in the room’s staffing ratios as your competence develops, in line with the EYFS statutory framework
The role – job description
Purpose of the post
- To be trained to carry out the same duties as a Nursery Practitioner or Nursery Assistant
- To contribute to a high-quality caring environment for children – creating a warm, friendly and stimulating atmosphere in which children can develop emotionally, socially and educationally through individual attention and group activities
Key areas
- To work with children
- To attend all training as set out in your training agreement and complete all assignments set on time
- To work as part of the team
- To attend associated training deemed appropriate by the Manager, in consideration of your individual needs and wishes
- To liaise with your mentor and the Manager
Duties and responsibilities
- Attend college or training-provider sessions and meetings, and complete assignments on time
- Attend team meetings and participate in sharing ideas
- Under supervision, provide all aspects of care for children, including washing, changing and feeding
- Assist with meeting the personal, social and emotional needs of individual children
- Provide adult-led interactions with children in the nursery
- Attend all training relevant to the role and deemed appropriate by the Manager or training provider
- Be aware of, and abide by, the nursery’s Safeguarding Children and Child Protection policy, Confidentiality policy, and all other policies the Manager deems appropriate
- Work as part of the team, supporting all staff and engaging in a good staff team
General
- Contribute to good standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness in the nursery
- Undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined by your supervisor from time to time
- Carry out duties at all times in compliance with the nursery’s equal opportunities policy
- Look upon the nursery as a whole, consider where your skills can be best utilised, and be constantly aware of the individual needs of all children
- Respect the confidentiality of all information received
- Ensure the provision of a high-quality environment to meet the needs of all individual children
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships and communication with parents and carers to facilitate day-to-day caring and early learning needs
- Be aware of the community profile of the nursery and uphold its standards at all times
- Be aware of all emergency and fire evacuation procedures
- Under sections 7 and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work, and co-operate to enable the employer to fulfil its legal duty
- Never intentionally or recklessly interfere with, or misuse, anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare
- Understand that, as part of your training, you will be required to work across the nursery rooms
About you (person specification)
Essential
- A genuine passion for working with young children and starting a career in early years
- Willingness to learn, take feedback well and complete college assignments on time
- Reliability, punctuality and a warm, friendly and professional manner
- Good communication skills with children, families and colleagues
- Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality and equal opportunities
- Ability to commit to the full apprenticeship, including off-the-job training and end-point assessment
Desirable
- GCSE English and maths at grade 4/C or above (or a willingness to work towards Level 2 functional skills, which we will support)
- Some experience with young children, e.g. babysitting, volunteering or a school placement
- An interest in progressing to Level 3 and beyond within early years
Safeguarding and safer recruitment
Lily’s Nursery and Daycare is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, apprentices, students and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be made in line with our safer recruitment procedures: the successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check (including the children’s barred list), provide suitable references, and evidence their identity and right to work in the UK before starting employment.
How to apply
Apply online at lilysnursery.co.uk/careers/early-years-apprentice, or send your CV (or a summary of your education and any experience) and a short cover letter telling us why you would like to start your early years career with Lily’s to recruitment@lilysnursery.co.uk, stating whether you are interested in the Level 2 or Level 3 pathway. No previous experience is necessary – we are looking for enthusiasm, warmth and a willingness to learn.
Note: Read this advert alongside Lily’s Nursery and Daycare’s policies, employment terms, your apprenticeship agreement and training plan. Apprenticeship rules and pay rates are as published by the Government and subject to change.