Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprentice at CHRISTCHURCH PLAYGROUP in Cheltenham

You must be caring, enthusiastic, eager to learn new things, not afraid to get messy, be willing to sing with the children (even if you can’t sing - don’t worry, we can’t!) & want to work within a small friendly team. A passion for working in early years is essential.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 3.00pm term time only. 27 hours 30 minutes a week. Start date: Monday 7 September 2026. Duration: 1 year 9 months.

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

Your duties will include:

• Helping set up and tidy up
• Playing and interacting with the children
• Helping prepare snacks
• Planning activities for the children 1 - 2 times a week

Training includes specialist training time away from work. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills. Key learning areas include:

• Recognise situations where a child or colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them per safeguarding policy.
• Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (e.g., food safety, diets, solid food introduction, allergies, COSHH, accidents, injuries and emergencies).
• Use risk assessment and risk management principles within documentation and practice.
• Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain safety for themselves and others.
• Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet children's individual needs.
• Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of children.
• Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
• Apply attachment theory 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 those requiring SEND or EAL support.
• Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop 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 an inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables children to feel safe, secure, respected and experience wellbeing; 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 children’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 experiences based on the setting’s curriculum and pedagogy.
• Use reflection to develop professionally and personally.

Requirements:

• GCSE in Maths (grade 4 or above).
• Early Years Level 2 qualification or experience within an Early Years setting.
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills:

• Initiative.

We are a term-time only, pack-away setting providing early years care and education for children aged 2 – 4 years old. We provide T-Shirts and a fleece or coat with logo. We have a pension scheme. As a term-time only setting we do not have holidays but do receive holiday pay within our annual salary.

Initially a fixed term contract for 2 years, with the potential for extension depending on the needs of the setting.

Contact: GLOUCESTERSHIRE COLLEGE – GC Employer Training and Apprenticeships • 0345 155 2020 Reference code: VAC2000030877.