Nursery Apprentice - Early Years Educator Barrow

Colourbox Montessori are looking for a passionate and caring Apprentice Early Years Educator to join our nursery team and begin a rewarding career in early years education in their Barrow Nest site. You will contribute to a warm, safe, and engaging environment while working towards a nationally recognised childcare qualification.

What you'll do

Colourbox Montessori is a high-quality early years provider offering a nurturing, stimulating, and child‑centred learning environment. Inspired by the Montessori approach, we support each child's independence, curiosity, and development through carefully prepared environments and skilled practitioners.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

With training and ongoing support, you will:

• Help ensure a high standard of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual care for all children
• Actively promote children's welfare, safeguarding, and safety at all times
• Support outstanding childcare practice and develop your understanding of children's learning and development
• Work collaboratively within the nursery team, sharing learning and supporting colleagues
• Follow and work within the governance of all Colourbox Montessori policies and procedures, ensuring best practice is consistently maintained

What we can offer:

• Competitive salary dependant on age and experience
• Offsite parking
• Uniform
• Additional service related holiday entitlement
• Training provided
• First Aid training
• DBS certificate
• Social events

Training

Your full role and responsibilities will be set out by your employer. They will provide you with all of the on-the-job training you need to up-skill in your role, and your 20% off-the-job learning will be incorporated as part of your working day.

You will be working towards the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard, which includes:

• Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
• Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid
• Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if required)

This will be delivered by your dedicated training provider, Realise.

After the apprenticeship

Training and promotional prospects available.

Skills

• Communication Skills
• Creative
• Friendly
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Organisation skills
• Patience
• Team working

Qualifications

• Desired: GCSE, English Language (grade 4)
• Desired: GCSE, Mathematics (grade 4)

Things to consider

• Must be prepared to work between the hours of 7.30am and 6.00pm
• Enhanced DBS certificate required

About the employer

Our nursery is across two sites in the lovely traditional village of Barrow, near Bury St. Edmunds. The children enjoy visiting the busy duckpond, waving to the passing horse-riders and seeing the latest knitted toppers on the nearby post box! Parking is usually available at the Village Hall nearby.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Early years educator (level 3), Education and early years
• Apprenticeship level: Advanced (level 3)
• Training provider: REALISE LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT LIMITED
• Expected duration: 1 Year 2 Months
• Hours: 30 hours a week. Working week: 30 hours a week, shifts between 7.30am - 6pm, working days TBC.
• Start date: 2 November 2026
• Positions available: 2
• Wage: £12,480 to £19,827.60 a year