Dazzling Stars Pre-school - Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship

An Early Years Apprentice supports nursery staff in providing a safe, caring and stimulating environment for young children. The role involves assisting with daily activities, supporting children’s learning and development through play, helping with mealtimes and routines, and maintaining a clean and safe setting. Apprentices work alongside experienced practitioners while completing training towards an Early Years qualification.

Key Duties:

• Support staff in providing a safe, caring and stimulating environment for children
• Assist with planning and setting up learning and play activities
• Engage with children through play to support their learning and development
• Help with daily routines such as snack times, meals and tidy-up time
• Support children with personal care where appropriate (e.g. hand washing, toileting with supervision)
• Observe children and report progress or concerns to senior staff
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised learning environment
• Follow safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies
• Work as part of a team while completing apprenticeship training and coursework

Skills and Attributes:

• Good communication and listening skills
• Caring, patient and nurturing attitude
• Enthusiasm for working with young children
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Reliable, punctual and responsible
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Basic understanding of health and safety and safeguarding (or willingness to learn)
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic
• Ability to follow instructions and take guidance from experienced staff

Personal Qualities:

• Kind and caring nature
• Patient and calm with young children
• Friendly and approachable
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Good team player
• Responsible and professional
• Creative and enjoys play-based learning
• Understanding and supportive of children’s individual needs

Future Progression:

Permanent role with the opportunity to progress onto further qualifications.

Training Information:

Over the course of 15 – 18 months, you will study units such as health & safety in a childcare setting, holistic child development, safeguarding in a childcare setting, child development, communication with children, purposeful play and educational programmes, supporting children with special educational needs, collaborative working in early years childcare, wellbeing principles for children and at higher levels, child protection, data, supporting key life transitions and behaviour management.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, you will achieve a Level 3 qualification and a TQUK Diploma in Early Years.

We and our employer partners are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, so a DBS check will be required for this role.

To make you aware, this position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as ‘spent’ must be declared, and you will be asked about these during the recruitment process.

If you do not hold GCSE Maths & English (or equivalent), these will be delivered alongside the apprenticeship programme.

Our delivery of training is through blended learning. Supported by one of our sector specialist tutors, they will deliver teaching sessions using various methods including face to face teaching, Skype, Facetime, telephone, and peer virtual classroom whilst using our interactive multi-sensory teaching resources.

Teaching sessions are normally bi-weekly or monthly, depending on the learner’s preferred learning style. Additionally, the tutor will provide the support required to ensure the learner enjoys and ultimately successfully achieves their goals and completes their training.

You will initially take an online assessment that will help us to understand your learning style and needs, then we will tailor your learning experience accordingly. We ensure that you stay on track to complete your programme on time by managing your expectations through our state-of-the-art e-portfolio system.

At the end of your programme, your learnt knowledge, skills, and behaviours will be assessed by an independent assessor in your end point assessment (EPA).

As part of the apprenticeship, alongside your job role, 20% of your time in work must be dedicated to developing new skills.