Early Years Apprentice - Chiswick

Are you a passionate early years practitioner looking to continue to develop your career in an fully outdoor forest nursery setting? Little Forest Folk Chiswick have a great opportunity to train as an Early Years Educator Apprentice and gain your level 3 whilst supporting children's learning, play and development and building key relationships.

What you'll do

Little Forest Folk Chiswick is seeking a warm, enthusiastic Forest Nursery Educator Apprentice with a genuine passion for the outdoors, working with children and a desire to complete a Level 3 Early Years qualification. Come and join our beautiful, fully outdoor forest nurseries, where we are providing 2-5 year olds with an exemplary early years learning experience, to help them become the children most likely to succeed in today's world.

About the Role:

As a Forest Nursery Apprentice, you'll be tasked with providing a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for the children aged 2-5 years, in our beautiful outdoor setting.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as a key person for a group of children
• Supporting planning, observations, and assessments
• Ensuring the safeguarding, welfare, and wellbeing of all children at all times
• Use your passion for the outdoors to deliver a fantastic experience for our children
• Work with your team to create an enabling environment where children can develop and learn through play
• Building strong, positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues

What We Offer:

In return for your commitment, we offer:

• £500 completion bonus and £1000 loyalty bonus after 1 year
• A day off on your birthday - everyone should spend their birthday eating cake, not at work
• Uniform allowance
• Social events throughout the year
• A fit, healthy, active job
• Discounts at our favourite outdoor retailers
• Discounted childcare
• 28 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Access to CPD and training via Noodle Now

Your Future with Us:

• Supportive Team: You'll join a welcoming team that values your contribution and supports your learning and development
• Build Your Network: Connect with early years professionals from day one
• High Employability: Most apprentices secure employment or continue further study after completing their training
• Career Progression: Many apprentices remain with us in permanent roles, progressing into higher-level positions

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 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
• 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

Secure job when qualification is gained, progression potential in a fast growing company.

Skills

• Communication Skills
• Creative
• Customer care skills
• Friendly
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Organisation skills
• Patience

Qualifications

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

Things to consider

Enhanced DBS required and annual subscription to DSB update service.

About the employer

Little Forest Folk was established to give children the chance to grow up with a sense of awe and freedom as part of their everyday lives. Our nurseries connect children back to nature, inspiring them to live a naturally healthy lifestyle that builds resilience, confidence, independence and self-motivation – all the tools they need for a happy and successful life. We want to offer this generation the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful outdoors childhood that many of us were fortunate enough to have experienced but that children in London are sadly now missing out on.

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: 40 hours a week. Working week: 40 hours per week Monday - Friday - shifts to be agreed at offer stage.
• Start date: 31 October 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: £22,464 a year