Childcare Apprenticeship - Welwyn Garden City

Our ethos is simple; we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute so we all benefit. Our core values foster happiness, confidence, and growth, with a ‘careers not jobs' approach, shaping the future of our extraordinary company together at our Rowan Tree Day Nursery in Welwyn Garden City.

What you'll do

Your apprenticeship will commence in January 2026 and will teach you how to provide outstanding care and education to young children.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• Work as part of a team to create and maintain safe and supportive learning environments across the nursery, plan and implement opportunities to enhance children's development, and complete observations linked to the early years curriculum
• Interact positively with all nursery users and work in partnership with colleagues and parents to ensure all children's individual needs are met at all times whilst they are in your care
• Adhere to nursery routines and policies and to seek guidance from your leadership team as required
• Successfully manage your time to ensure you submit your coursework by the deadlines set by your Trainer/Assessor

Training

By the end of your apprenticeship you will gain:

• Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification; there will be an online initial assessment during our screening stage if you don't already hold maths and English at grade 4 or above, to determine the most suitable level of apprenticeship for you
• Level 2 functional skills qualifications in maths and English, if you do not already have equivalent qualifications in these subjects at the required level
• A paediatric first aid qualification
• A permanent contract, subject to you successfully gaining your qualification, where after completion you will be appointed as a qualified Nursery Practitioner within our partnership

Our early years apprenticeship offers you:

• A full-time role (37.5 hours a week) working with children under 5 in our nursery to gain valuable practical childcare experience
• 'Off the job' learning time within your working week which will support your studies
• A Trainer/Assessor from our in-house EduBase Academy, who will visit you at your nursery on a regular basis to guide and direct you
• Mandatory group training sessions are held at our EduBase Training Academy (Northampton Road, Newport Pagnell, MK16 8NJ or at our nursery sites located at OX4 2DQ and UB2 5RN) around once a month and travel costs are covered

After the apprenticeship

A permanent contract subject to you successfully gaining your qualification, where after completion you will be appointed as a qualified Nursery Nurse within our partnership.

Longer term, as a level 3 qualified practitioner, you will be able to progress into roles such as Team Leader, Deputy Manager and Nursery Manager.

During your apprenticeship with us, you will benefit from:

• 23 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy and sell days
• Fully-paid enhanced DBS check
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch and refreshments when you are at work
• £1000 ‘recommend a friend' bonus if you successfully refer someone to come and work for us
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual staff conference and awards event, at which individual and team achievements are recognised

Skills

• Communication skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Qualifications

• Desired: GCSE, English (grade 4)
• Desired: GCSE, maths (grade 4)

Things to consider

For your application to be considered, at the time you apply, you must be able to evidence your NI number and right to work in the UK, ideally have photographic ID (valid passport or driving licence), have access to a computer, been resident in the UK for at least 3 years and be comfortable travelling to the training sessions in Newport Pagnell.

About the employer

At Childbase Partnership we have been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Our mission is to give children the best possible start in life and instil a lifelong passion for learning. Across all 44-day nurseries, Head Office, and our EduBase Training Academy of Excellence, our dedicated colleagues work together to create a lasting, positive impact in our local communities. We are determined to be excellent and constantly strive for the best outcomes, not only for the children in our care but for every colleague too. What makes us special? - We are 100% employee-owned – which means we are all partners, we all have a meaningful voice, and we own our future (this includes sharing profits too, tax-free). - ‘Number 1' - we have earned the top spot in the prestigious Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes, all thanks to our extraordinary colleagues. - Record-breaking Green Flag achievements, and climate-positive status - we save more CO2 than we create (take that, climate change!). - Planting in excess of 2,000 trees in the Eden Restoration project - because the planet needs a hug too. - Over £3.5 million raised for charity – we're basically fundraising superheroes (without the capes).

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Early years educator (level 3), Education and early years
• Apprenticeship level: Advanced (level 3)
• Training provider: CHILDBASE PARTNERSHIP LIMITED
• Expected duration: 1 Year 1 Month
• Hours: 37.5 hours a week. Working week: You will work varied shifts, usually between the hours of 7.15am - 6.30pm, Monday - Friday, so you experience all aspects of the daily routine at nursery. Exact shifts to be confirmed.
• Start date: 17 December 2026
• Positions available: 2
• Wage: £17,949.75 a year