Apprentice Early Years Educator in Knutsford

We are offering the opportunity for someone to complete a national apprenticeship with Elmscot Group. We offer training to our staff and an in-house mentor to support you through your training. Highly trained professionals who play a key role in ensuring that young children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.

Wage: £15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age. National Minimum Wage.

Hours: Between the hours of 7:30am and 6:00pm. Monday to Friday. Apprentices under the age of 18 are only able to work 8 hours per day. There is a 1-hour lunch break which is unpaid. 40 hours a week.

Duration: 1 year 6 months.

Application dates: Closes in 19 days (Thursday 12 February 2026 at 11:59pm).

Work: Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you will do at work:

• Help with the daily routine and care of the children in your assigned department and across the setting as a whole.
• Interact with the children to support their learning and development in an age/stage appropriate way.
• Prepare resources under the guidance of colleagues.
• Set-up activities both inside and outside under the direction of colleagues.
• Undertake daily housekeeping jobs as required.
• Electronic record keeping and supporting child development observations.

Training: Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure. Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies). Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice. Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety. Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child. Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child. Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person. Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children. Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years. Advocate for all children’s needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support. Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships. Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture. Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours. Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements. Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors. Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child’s voice. Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events. Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and interests. Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy. Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy. Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.

In-house training plus the candidate will follow a Level 3 Apprenticeship programme and study towards a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. This training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College – South & West.

Requirements:

• GCSE in English and maths at Grade 4 or above, or Functional Skills will be required.
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills: Friendly attitude, eager to learn.

Other requirements: An apprentice will build positive relationships with the children, staff, families, and external agencies. Passing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

About this employer: Elmscot Group Day Nurseries care for children aged from six weeks to five years in very safe, homely environments. We have nurseries located across Cheshire in Hale, Altrincham, Timperley, Sale, Knutsford and Chester. Poppies Day Nursery can be found on Sugar Pit Lane, just a short walk from the heart of Knutsford. It is situated within a beautiful converted building packed with original features. The bright open rooms create the perfect environment.

We offer competitive salaries and regularly review them to ensure they are fair. The scheme to purchase additional annual leave and bonus annual leave for reliable attendance, long service and Christmas shopping.

After this apprenticeship: Permanent employment or progression to a higher apprenticeship if successfully completed.

The contact for this apprenticeship is: CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST. The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000010104.

Apply now: Closes in 19 days (Thursday 12 February 2026 at 11:59pm).