Early Years Apprentice - Once Upon a Time Nursery

We take care to support and develop each of our team members, to fulfil their passion for Early Years, so they can give magical care to children, in the most important first years of their life.

Our Apprentices have the advantage of working (earning) and learning at the same time. The Level 3 Early Years Educator, supplied by Connect 2 Care, is completed by our Apprentices while working with children from 3 months – preschool age. A tutor from Connect 2 Care visits the Apprentices in the setting, has one-to-ones, observes their practice with the children etc. They also set and mark work via an online learning portal, which is where all the Apprentices written work is submitted. The majority of the Apprentices work is completed outside of working hours, however we do try and accommodate some time for them to study within their working week. An Apprentice can expect to spend approximately 4 - 6 hours per week studying for their Level 3.

Our Apprentices are treated like one of the team, as they’re an integral part of our nursery schools. They will be part of all aspects of caring for the children:

• Making sure children feel safe and secure at all times
• Promoting the children’s learning and enjoyment through planned experiences, supporting their development
• Supporting children’s care routines, such as meal and sleep times
• Observing and recording children’s skills and their overall progress.
• Talking and handing over with parents

Many of our qualified team members began their careers as Apprentices, so there’s lots of experience to learn from.

Our Apprentices are contracted to 40 hours per week, usually 8am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday. They’re very much treated like one of the team, and really valuable to nursery life. They work across all age groups, getting experience with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. A lot of the team started as Apprentices, so there’s plenty of support and experience to call on. The starting hourly wage is £5.25. Apprentices have 6 weeks holiday like all other members of the team. 5 weeks can be booked at any time throughout the year, and one week's holiday is always taken at Christmas, as we close between Christmas and New Year.