Hopscotch Nurseries - Level 3 Early Years Apprenticeship in Southampton

To work as a member of the Hopscotch team providing the highest quality care for children, encouraging and supporting the children’s all‑round development while working within all operational and legislative safeguarding standards and guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Have an awareness of Child Protection, Safeguarding and be able to report any concerns.
• Lead the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum to all children by supporting and promoting children’s early education and development.
• Ensure that all children attending the nursery receive the very highest standard of care, learning and play opportunities which are age and developmentally appropriate, enabling a smooth transition to school and beyond.
• Act as an ambassador for the safeguarding, health, safety and welfare of children, ensuring all legislation and policies are known, complied with and implemented.
• Participate as a key person where appointed, observing, assessing and planning each child’s development, next steps and individual needs, taking specific interest in key children.
• Be able to fully understand the procedure for reporting any concerns to management.
• Supervise children at all times.
• Assist in the provision of an appealing, creative and stimulating room and environment.
• Be actively involved in the planning process proposing activities appropriate for the age range in accordance with the guidelines as laid out in the Early Learning Goals.
• Assist with all nursery activities as and when required.
• Attend relevant courses and training sector.
• Work to all legislative standards and guidelines.

Operational

• Be a responsible, reliable and effective member of staff working flexibly as part of the team.
• Assist senior team members and colleagues with planning activities appropriate for the age group, following all supporting guidelines as laid out in the EYFS.
• Ensure all apprenticeship work is kept up to date and study time is used wisely.
• Communicate clearly and efficiently with parents/guardians regarding their child’s development, encouraging active participation and interest in their child’s continual development and progress.
• Assist in the care, maintenance and cleaning of all toys and equipment within the nursery, recording and reporting any maintenance or safety issues/irregularities.
• Ensure all company forms are filled out correctly.
• Be familiar with and work within all company policies and procedures.
• Ensure all company policies are adhered to and report any breach in procedure.

Health and Safety

• Take responsibility for your own personal awareness of all emergency and security procedures, drop off and collection policies.
• Work to the highest standard of cleanliness in all areas of the nursery, paying particular attention to the nappy changing, food service and sleep areas.
• Ensure the highest levels of your own personal hygiene and the cleanliness of the children.

Staff

• Attend all staff meetings as required.
• Participate in the company’s appraisal scheme establishing and working to a Personal Development Plan.
• Participate in all internal and external training/coaching courses as and when identified.
• Participate in the company mentoring scheme.
• Be committed to the successful and prompt completion of your Level 2 and Level 3 Qualifications.
• Natural affinity to children.
• Ability to work well in a team and independently.
• Reliable and trustworthy.
• Able to build relationships with others.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Caring nature.
• Energetic.
• Willing to learn and progress further in knowledge.
• Former experience working in a childcare environment e.g. day nursery/after school club/school.
• Knowledge of OFSTED, EYFS and other relevant childcare policies and programmes.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and the role of a DSL.

Training Information

Over the course of 15 – 18 months (dependent upon the level of course an apprentice is being enrolled onto), 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 (these modules may differ). 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. 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. We want learners to feel that our team are approachable at any stage of their learning journey.

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. This can be any time devoted to learning and improving new skills without interruption.