At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young children in a safe, fun environment while gaining hands-on childcare experience.
- Company: Join Tops Day Nurseries, a leading childcare provider with a focus on teamwork and respect.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 60% childcare discount, health support, generous holiday allowance, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Kickstart your rewarding career in childcare with a Level 2 qualification and real impact.
- Qualifications: Passion for working with children; no prior experience needed, just enthusiasm!
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent growth opportunities in early years education.
Location: Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
Job type: Part Time Temporary
Salary: £7.56 Hour
Contracted Hours: hours per week
Staff well-being is valued and nurtured. The provider offers staff opportunities to celebrate their achievements and contributions. These include staff nominations on the 'Each Person Scheme' and special award nights to recognise both individual and nursery achievements.
About The Role
Are you passionate about working with young children and eager to begin a rewarding childcare career? Join us as a Childcare Apprentice, gaining hands-on experience while working towards a Level 2 qualification in early years education. This qualification covers knowledge of children from birth to 7 years, focusing on ages 0-5, and meets the Department for Education's Level 2 criteria. You'll gain practical experience, be assessed on-site, and complete written tasks, with support from your assessor via an online platform. Upon completion, you will qualify as a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner.
We are proud to be ranked 9th in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK in 2024! We offer fantastic opportunities to develop in a Nursery Career from Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeships all the way through to Nursery Manager or even to become an Early Years Teacher!
About The Nursery
Tops Parkstone Nursery is a 56 place Day Nursery & Pre-School situated in Parkstone, Poole. The nursery runs several extra-curricular activities including Tops Forest School, cooking school, Boogie Mites, yoga, tooth brushing, football fun and much more!
Why You’ll Love Working with Us
- Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
- Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
- Health & wellbeing support- NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
- A generous holiday allowance- including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!
- As well as many more exciting benefits!
What does the role involve?
- Assist in providing a safe environment for children
- Assisting with daily, weekly and monthly checks around the nursery
- Assist in ensuring the unit is clean and tidy and assist in meal preparation
- Assist colleagues with developing and maintaining good relationships with local schools, charities and involvement with the community (e.g. parades, visiting care homes)
- Taking children on trips out and assist on picking up from school
- Able to support children’s behaviour and act as a role model
- Support in ensuring the environment is stimulating and appropriate including layout, display of resources, displays and equal opportunities
What are we looking for?
We are looking for someone who is passionate and enthusiastic about beginning their career in child care. You do not need to have previous experience or qualifications in working with children to undertake this qualification but must be aged 17 or over. This is a 100% work based course and there is no need for you to attend college. You will need to take this role seriously, and be able to demonstrate a good work ethic and be able to communicate effectively with the people around you, making sure that you treat both other staff and children with respect and care at all times.
Why Tops Day Nurseries?
We are a leading early education and childcare provider in South England, established in 1990. We promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility by educating today’s children to influence future generations. We value respect, open communication, and teamwork, fostering a positive, purpose-driven work environment. As an Employee-Owned Company, our colleagues are co-owners, benefiting from the company’s growth through annual profit-sharing bonuses.
Your journey starts here, so take the first step to become part of Tops Team by clicking apply!
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. All candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS which is on the update service. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks. This role involves regulated activity with children. You should not apply if you are on the Children’s Barred List.
Childcare Apprentice-Level 2 employer: Tops Day Nurseries
Contact Detail:
Tops Day Nurseries Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Childcare Apprentice-Level 2
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, check out Tops Parkstone Nursery's website and social media. Familiarising yourself with their values and activities will help you stand out and show your genuine interest in joining their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be working with children and colleagues, being able to express yourself clearly is key. Try role-playing common scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for childcare! During interviews, share any experiences you've had with children, whether it's babysitting, volunteering, or even just helping out with younger siblings. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Tops Day Nurseries family. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Childcare Apprentice-Level 2
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through! We want to see that you're genuinely excited about starting a career in childcare.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of Childcare Apprentice. Highlight any relevant experiences or skills, even if they’re from school or volunteering!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid long-winded sentences and focus on what makes you a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and helps us keep track of all applicants.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tops Day Nurseries
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Childcare Apprentice and what it entails. Familiarise yourself with early years education principles and the specific activities at Tops Parkstone Nursery. This will show your passion for the role and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
During the interview, let your passion for working with children shine through. Share any relevant experiences, even if they are informal, like babysitting or volunteering. Employers love to see genuine enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the nursery's approach to child development or how they support apprentices in their training. This shows that you’re engaged and serious about your future in childcare.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since teamwork is crucial in a nursery setting, be ready to discuss how you work well with others. Share examples of past experiences where you collaborated effectively, whether in school projects or group activities. This will highlight your ability to fit into their team-oriented environment.