At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a fun team, nurturing children and creating magical learning experiences.
- Company: Acorn, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to children's needs.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, childcare discounts, generous leave, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Full-time role with hands-on experience and supportive training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable qualifications.
- Qualifications: A love for the outdoors and a passion for child development.
The predicted salary is between 16640 - 18720 £ per year.
Join a team dedicated to putting children first. Acorn is a not-for-profit organisation focusing everything we do on the needs of our children. Our people are our values, delivering the Personal, Professional, Nurturing, Outdoor Learning and Ethical approaches that we live by. You may need to transform into a dinosaur, become a racing car driver or put on a show - if you want to be part of something extraordinary, be part of Acorn.
We have a number of Level 3 apprenticeship opportunities throughout our Acorn nurseries including Westcroft, Rowans (Fullers Slade) and Kents Hill. We are seeking very special individuals to join us. Do you have:
- A love of the outdoors and working with natural resources
- Naturally nurturing, caring and compassionate qualities
- An interest in child development and how children learn
At Acorn, our apprentices are an integral part of our nursery teams. You will hit the ground running in your Early Years career, whilst being supported and nurtured along the way. You will:
- Be a creative and inspirational role model for our children
- Learn how to deliver a holistic approach to the curriculum, ensuring the environment offers rich, first-hand learning opportunities for all children
- Seek out new experiences and skills to support you with your qualification and off-the-job training
By the end of the apprenticeship, you will gain:
- A Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. We can also support you to achieve your maths and English functional skills qualifications if you do not already have these.
Our early years apprenticeship offers you:
- A starting hourly pay rate of £8.00, increasing to £9.00 per hour 6 months after your apprenticeship enrolment date.
- A varied learning programme – filled with face-to-face tutorial sessions, opportunity to attend our additional workshop days and company-wide training days to provide you with an apprenticeship programme that is truly supportive.
- A full-time role (36 hours a week) working with children under 5 in our nursery to gain valuable practical childcare experience. You will work 30 core hours and 6 hours of off-the-job training.
- Opportunity to gain real-life, hands-on early years experiences to support you with your qualification and becoming a fantastic, qualified practitioner.
- A varied shift pattern, usually between the hours of 07:15 am-18:30 pm Monday-Friday.
- ‘Off the job’ learning time within your working week which will support your studies – this will include workshops, experience in different nurseries and rooms, and mentoring sessions.
We will need to obtain suitable references and an enhanced DBS check for suitable applicants prior to employment commencing. You will also need to evidence your right to work in the UK and, if you hold maths and English qualifications, you will need to evidence these qualifications too. If your application is successful, our Recruitment Team will be there to support you through our onboarding process, every step of the way.
Working at Acorn:
- Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
- Childcare discount – nothing should be a barrier to your career
- Generous family leave – supporting you to support your family – 5 days per year
- Christmas closure – Santa doesn’t wait for anyone – with paid holiday for this in your second year of employment (3 days)
- 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
- 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans – investing in you for the whole journey
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Cycle scheme
- Tech scheme
- Length of Service awards
- Summer and Christmas parties
- Pay advances for when times are tough
- Employee assistance wellbeing programme
Nursery Apprentice in Milton Keynes employer: Acorn Early Years Foundation
Acorn Early Years Foundation is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment at Hedgerows Nursery in Milton Keynes. With competitive pay, generous annual leave, and substantial childcare discounts, we prioritise employee well-being and professional growth, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about child development to thrive as part of a dedicated team.
Contact Details:
Acorn Early Years Foundation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Apprentice in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Acorn's values inside out! When you’re chatting with us, show how your passion for nurturing and outdoor learning aligns with what we stand for. It’s all about making that connection!
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready to showcase your creativity! Whether it’s transforming into a dinosaur or coming up with fun activities, let us see your imaginative side during the interview. We love candidates who can think outside the box!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your love for working with children—bring examples! Share stories of how you’ve engaged with kids in the past. This will help us see your natural nurturing qualities in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, our Recruitment Team is here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions!
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Apprentice in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let your love for working with children shine through in your application. We want to see how your nurturing and caring qualities make you a perfect fit for our team at Acorn.
Be Creative:Don’t be afraid to show off your creativity! Whether it’s through your writing style or examples of how you’d engage with children, we’re looking for those who can think outside the box and bring fun to learning.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to reflect the values and approaches we live by at Acorn. Highlight any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to outdoor learning and child development.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the info you need about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn Early Years Foundation
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to understand Acorn's core values: Personal, Professional, Nurturing, Outdoor Learning, and Ethical approaches. Think about how your own values align with theirs and be ready to share examples that demonstrate this connection during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion for Child Development
Be prepared to discuss your interest in child development and how children learn. Bring along any relevant experiences or insights you've gained, whether from previous roles, volunteering, or personal experiences. This will show your genuine enthusiasm for the role and the impact you want to make.
✨Get Creative!
Since the job involves being a creative role model, think of fun and engaging activities you could do with children. Whether it’s transforming into a dinosaur or putting on a show, come up with a few ideas to share during the interview. This will highlight your creativity and ability to connect with kids.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the training programme, opportunities for growth, or how they support apprentices in their learning journey. It shows you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to learn more about the organisation.
