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Programme duration: 12-15 Months including end point assessment.

Established by local teacher Barbara Watson in 1988, Hopscotch has over 30 years of childcare experience. We are an independent family run business with six locations across East Sussex and our aim is to provide first-class childcare at affordable prices. Hopscotch values a learning environment which is calm, structured and family-orientated with the aim of delivering excellence in childcare.

We are looking for an Apprentice Nursery Practitioner at our Peacehaven nursery. Looking to start your career in Early Years? We are looking for people who want to work towards a Level 2 or Level 3 in Childcare. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career with the prospect to gain further responsibility and promotion once qualified.

Why work with us? Because we know our staff are our most valuable asset.

• Highly Competitive Salary - Higher than the apprentice wage
• Generous Sickness Entitlement
• Employee Assistance Programme for Staff Mental Health Wellbeing and Support
• Regular Socials for all Nursery Teams
• Weekly Fitness Classes
• Interest-free Season Ticket Loans
• Free Enhanced DBS Checks
• Well-Established Career Path and Training Opportunities
• Fresh Fruit, Tea & Coffee available for all staff

Requirements: Hopscotch staff need to demonstrate above all else a genuine love for children.

• Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check

Main Duties:

• To create an interesting and stimulating environment for the child to develop all their skills.
• To provide at all times a warm and caring environment for babies and to be as consistent as possible regarding that environment.
• To provide support for any children with special needs and to liaise with senior members of staff to promote their welfare and development.
• To ensure positive management of children’s behaviour.
• To carry out housekeeping duties as appropriate.
• To ensure the ethos, implementation and legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• To support senior members of staff to ensure appropriate Child Protection procedures are put into practice.
• To attend regular out of hours training sessions as directed by course tutors in order to complete Level 2 Childcare Qualification.
• To go about your duties with a positive and enthusiastic attitude - to be organised, efficient, confident, hardworking and conscientious.
• To promote at all times good relations between staff members, parents and children, and at all times promote the good name and ethos of Hopscotch.
• To cover any other staff responsibilities as appropriate at the request of the Manager, particularly taking into account that unforeseen situations can occur when looking after children, and that the child's care and welfare is paramount at all times.

To become an apprentice, you must:

• Be 16 or over
• Not already be in full-time education

As an apprentice you’ll:

• Complete a L2 or L3 Early Years apprenticeship standard
• Have regular one to one sessions with a dedicated trainer either remotely or through visits to your workplace
• Learn and train for a specific job
• Get paid and receive holiday leave
• Get hands-on experience in a real job
• Study for at least 20% of your working hours
• Complete assessments during and at the end of your apprenticeship
• Be on a career path with lots of future potential
• Be entitled to a TOTUM membership

Future Prospects: 15 month contract with the possibility of a full time permanent post on successful completion of the apprenticeship.