Nursery Apprentice

The role of the Early Years Student is to obtain the necessary skills and qualifications that enable them to ensure all children attending receive high-quality care, are kept safe and are provided with planned and stimulating play which meet their individual needs and support all aspects of the Early Years curriculum.

What you'll do

• Support the delivery of age-appropriate activities that promote children's learning and development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Assist in creating a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment for all children
• Build positive relationships with children, parents, carers, and colleagues
• Observe children's progress and contribute to developmental records and learning journals
• Share relevant information with parents and carers regarding children's achievements, wellbeing, routines, and daily activities
• Support children's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development through play and planned activities
• Assist with personal care routines, including nappy changing, toileting, handwashing, dressing, and promoting good hygiene practices while maintaining children's dignity and privacy
• Help children develop independence and self-care skills appropriate to their age and stage of development
• Assist with meal and snack times, including preparing eating areas, encouraging healthy eating, supporting children who require help with feeding, and ensuring food hygiene procedures are followed
• Ensure children's dietary requirements, allergies, and individual needs are adhered to at all times
• Promote positive behaviour and support children in developing confidence, respect, and social skills
• Follow all safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and nursery policies and procedures
• Maintain accurate records, including accidents, incidents, medication, care routines, and observations where required
• Help maintain a clean, tidy, and organised nursery environment, including preparing resources and equipment
• Work as part of a team and support colleagues in delivering high-quality childcare
• Adhere to all relevant legislation, including safeguarding, equality, diversity, and health and safety requirements

Training

• Training will take place at the setting with allocated time to work towards your qualification

After the apprenticeship

• Full time position with career development encouraged

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Qualifications

• Desired: GCSE, English (grade C/4 or above)
• Desired: GCSE, Maths (grade C/4 or above)
• Desired: Level 2 Early Years, Early Years Practitioner (grade Pass)

Things to consider

• Able to pass enhanced DBS

Benefits

• DBS
• Free or discounted meals
• Annual pay review
• Paid Uniform/Allowance
• Free Parking
• Team Social Events
• Performance Related Pay

About the employer

Kaleidoscope Nursery is an established childcare provision in the heart of Sherborne, accepting children from birth to 5 years of age. The Nursery was founded in 2005 and relocated in September 2010 to a purpose-designed building in a quiet area within the new Sherborne Business Centre.

Kaleidoscope Nursery has been designed and planned to provide the very best childcare at competitive prices.

What We Believe

At Kaleidoscope Nursery we celebrate the skill and competence of babies and young children. We offer children an environment where they will be treated with kindness and patience. We respect and cherish the individuality of each child and encourage each one to grow to reach their full potential. We endeavour to enable children to become confident and thoughtful, with a sense of justice and concern for their fellow beings.

Each day brings new opportunities for learning. We embrace unplanned experiences, building on them to provide the best opportunity for your child. Children at Kaleidoscope Nursery are encouraged to develop their own personalities, pursue their individual interests. Our aim is to create a warm, safe, secure and friendly environment where everyone is accepted and welcomed.

We operate an open door policy and will always have someone on hand to help you with any queries. We also regularly check our emails and can answer any questions electronically if this is easier.

We take a positive account of individuality, gender, religion, culture, origin and respect parents' and carers' wishes. You are, after all, your child's first educator, and we want to work with you to help your child acquire the knowledge and skills that will be of value to them in the next phase of their formal education.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Early years educator (level 3), Education and early years
• Apprenticeship level: Advanced (level 3)
• Training provider: SHOOTS TRAINING LIMITED
• Expected duration: 1 Year 6 Months
• Hours: 39 hours a week. Working week: 08:00- 17.30

Monday- Friday

• Start date: 1 December 2026
• Positions available: 3
• Wage: £16,224 a year