Early Years Apprentice at Coney Hill Community Primary in Gloucester

The broad purpose of the role is to work and interact directly with children on a day‑to‑day basis, supporting the planning of and delivery of activities, purposeful play opportunities and educational programmes within the ethos of the pre‑school setting. The post is Term Time plus Inset and 32.5 hours. Actual pay is £11,745 (pay award pending). Training course: Early Years Practitioner (Level 2). Hours: 9 am-4 pm daily. Term Time only plus inset days. Duration: 1 year 6 months.

What you'll do at work:

• Work in partnership with other colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals to meet the individual needs of each child in line with school policies and procedures.
• Use play to support children to understand and encourage healthy life choices.
• Carry out self‑reflection and use continuous professional development opportunities to improve practice.
• Undertake specific tasks related to the safety and hygiene of the children and the cleanliness of the setting.
• Communicate and engage with children to support their learning and development.
• Support the well‑being of all children, including those with additional needs and disabilities.
• Contribute to the planning and organising of activities and children’s individual experiences, which will support and extend the children’s learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Arrive in time to set up the day’s activities before opening and stay to clear up after the session.
• Ensure that all visitors are welcomed.
• Communicate with parents and carers in a positive manner and encourage parental involvement in the sessions.

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

Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events, e.g. moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling. Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse include: domestic, neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off-site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures. Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.

Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene). Promote health and wellbeing in the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.

Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.

Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood. This includes verbal and non‑verbal communication.

Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non‑verbal communication. Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.

Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning. Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.

Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’s requirements. Use learning activities to support early language development.

Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to. Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.

Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children. Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.

Work co‑operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress. Work alongside parents or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well‑being, learning and development.

Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby or child’s care, play, learning and development. Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements: GCSE in Maths (grade 1). Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills: Creative Initiative.

Coney Hill Community Primary School is a Gloucester city school, serving the community of Coney Hill and the close surrounding area. We provide Primary and Pre‑school education for 3‑11 year olds. Pre‑school is open 5 days a week from 9:00 until 4:00 for rising 3s and pre‑schoolers. Coney Hill Community School prides itself in being very much that of a ‘Community School’ and our #proudtobeaHiller# underpins our school and pre‑school ethos.

Potential position upon completion of the apprenticeship.