Apprentice Early Years Practitioner - Stepping Stones, Worsley , M28 1LW

Exciting position available to work for a well established nursery group. If you are looking for a career within Childcare then this is the vacancy to look at.

What you'll do

• To contribute a high standard of all areas of learning and developmental care for all children in the nursery
• To promote support to other team members throughout the nursery
• To work as part of a team in order to provide an enabling environment in which all individual children can access continuous provision, play, learn and develop

Position Overview:

• To contribute a high standard of all areas of learning and developmental care for all children in the nursery
• To promote support to other team members throughout the nursery
• To work as part of a team in order to provide an enabling environment in which all individual children can access continuous provision, play, learn and develop

Training

We will offer the successful candidate a Early Years Level 2 Practitioner qualification.

The course will be completed at the workplace with no travel involved.

The course will be delivered on a hybrid model with face to face delivery, online sessions and monthly meetings online.

Whilst completing the qualification the successful candidate will receive lots of complimentary benefits such as Senco and lots more.

After the apprenticeship

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to progress onto a further Early Years courses.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Qualifications

• Desired: GCSE, English/Maths (grade 4 And Above)

Things to consider

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• To comply with all SSG policies and procedures
• To contribute to a programme of activities that meet the individual needs and interests of children in your area in conjunction with other team members
• To give children the choice and the freedom to play in their own way
• To listen to children about any concerns or worries they may have, acting as an advocate or mediator when appropriate

Where appropriate fulfil the observation, planning and assessment cycle which includes:

• To work towards being a Key Person for children within the setting. To work towards keeping up to date records of your key children's development and Learning Journeys, and share this with parents, carers, and other key adults in the child's life (if applicable)
• To work in partnership with the parents, other family members, carers and their children by respecting and understanding their individual needs and maintaining courtesy and confidentiality at all times
• To form strong attachments and nurturing relationships with the children in your care
• To be aware and alert to situations of child neglect and possible abuse and act in accordance with the child protection and safeguarding guidelines
• To liaise with other professional bodies such as Ofsted, when needed
• Be aware of and work appropriately in relation to confidential and sensitive information
• To encourage fair and caring behaviour among the children and staff
• To develop and maintain strong partnerships and communications with parents/carers to facilitate day-to-day caring and early learning needs
• To ensure that children are being well supervised at all times
• Ensure and maintain a safe, secure, and friendly environment for the children in accordance with the current statutory Framework for the EYFS, Ofsted, Health & Safety and Food Hygiene regulations and guidelines
• To assist in ensuring that the children are being stimulated and that appropriate play activities are being delivered in respect of their age and ability. Consideration must be given to the individual needs of the child with regards to their race, religion, social, gender, and culture differences
• To be a positive role model for the children
• To ensure that mealtimes are a time of pleasant social sharing, in particular, supervising the children at mealtimes, assisting them if needed and promoting/providing healthy choices for the children to consume and drink. The children's food needs to be prepared and consumed in hygienic surroundings. Always remembering meal/snack times are social times and engaging with the child throughout this time is essential
• To assist in washing and toileting of children and to teach children to learn personal hygiene
• Ensure that the nursery's property is kept clean and tidy and that children are encouraged to respect their surroundings
• To provide materials and equipment to create play spaces in a responsible and safe way
• To develop your role within the team and establish and maintain good working relationships
• Ensure regular checks on resources and equipment which include their cleaning, maintenance and occasionally disposal
• To be flexible within working practices of the nursery. Be prepared to help where needed, including to undertake certain domestic jobs within the nursery
• To be enthusiastic, cheerful, and have a sense of humour at all times
• To ensure handbooks are completed where applicable

About the employer

Stepping Stones Group Limited is a family business with over 25 years' experience in the childcare sector.

Our journey began with Crèches and Soft Play Adventure Centres, and then in 1996 we were delighted to open our first children's Day Nursery enabling us to enhance the quality of our childcare provision even further.

Since then, our nursery group has grown organically and we are now proud to deliver excellent childcare in eight nursery settings across the North of England, where our highly skilled teams play a vital role in the learning and development of children in their early years. Within our group we are very fortunate to have our own in-house training specialists, the Childcare Development Team, who are experts in their field and provide specialist training and support to each of our settings regularly to help drive continuous improvement and development at every level.

At Stepping Stones, we recognise the importance of everything a child experiences from birth to age five and the impact this has on their future, so we work hard to ensure the learning opportunities we provide for each individual child are of a high quality that enriches their early childhood. We believe in giving children the best possible start in life and we make it our mission to support parents and carers every step of the way. Family is important to us and we understand the challenges parents face when it comes to making decisions about childcare, so we do everything we can to help that process and we pride ourselves on making sure new families, as well as new team members, feel welcome from the moment they walk through the door.

You will find more information about each of our fantastic childcare settings in: Our Nurseries

Pictured are our company directors, Olivia Couture and her father Neil Ritchie, standing in front of our Stockton Heath nursery.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Early years practitioner (level 2), Education and early years
• Apprenticeship level: Intermediate (level 2)
• Training provider: EDEN TRAINING SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• Expected duration: 1 Year
• Hours: 32 hours a week. Working week: This position would be 32 hours per week on the national minimum wage for an apprentice. Hours to be agreed but will be between 8am - 6pm on a weekly basis, no weekend work is required.
• Start date: 16 November 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: £13,312 a year