At a Glance
- Tasks: Support babies and young children in a nurturing learning environment.
- Company: Join Childbase Partnership, a leading childcare provider since 1989.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn, with generous leave and exclusive partner benefits.
- Why this job: Build a meaningful career in early years with hands-on experience and training.
- Qualifications: Passion for child development and eagerness to learn required.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive community and excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 ÂŁ per month.
Join Childbase Partnership and be part of something extraordinary. Are you passionate about working with children and ready to build a meaningful career in early years? Our Early Years Apprenticeship offers the perfect opportunity to earn while you learn, gain a recognised qualification, and start a long‑term career with one of the UK’s leading childcare providers.
The role: Early Years Apprentice. You’ll work alongside experienced early years professionals, supporting babies and young children under the age of five in a safe, nurturing and inspiring learning environment.
Location: West Cambridge Day Nursery, Cambridge, CB3 0FZ
Contract: 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Working pattern: Varied shifts, Monday to Friday between 07:30–18:30
Start date window: 12 March – 17 April 2026
Salary: ÂŁ7.57 per hour to start, rising to ÂŁ10.00 per hour after six months in post
Why join Childbase Partnership? We’ve been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Across our day nurseries, Head Office and Training Academy (EduBase), our ethos is simple: we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute. We believe in careers, not jobs, and are proud to invest in the next generation of early years professionals.
What you’ll receive:
- Generous annual leave: 23 days paid leave per year (pro‑rata), rising to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays
- Outstanding childcare discount: 75 % off nursery fees (or 40 % grandparent discount) from day one
- Exclusive partner benefits: Long‑service awards, qualification bonuses and retail discounts
- Well‑being support: Free meals, mental health and occupational health support, flu jabs, eye‑care vouchers and a free will‑writing service
- Career progression: A permanent role as a Qualified Nursery Practitioner on successful completion of your apprenticeship
About Us:
- Employee‑owned: Every colleague is a partner with a voice and receives an annual tax‑free dividend when we perform well
- Number one: Ranked top of the Nursery World League tables for Ofsted outcomes
- Community focused: Proud to have raised over ÂŁ3.5 million for charity
- Environmentally responsible: All nurseries hold Green Flag awards and operate using 100 % renewable energy
- Committed to learning: Our in‑house academy, EduBase, is a trusted provider of high‑quality early years training
About You: You’ll thrive in this role if you are:
- Passionate about working with children – you’re interested in child development and excited to build a long‑term career in early years
- Eager to learn – you enjoy hands‑on learning and are motivated to develop skills in planning and delivering engaging activities linked to the early years curriculum
- Nurturing and safety‑focused – you ensure every child feels safe, valued and happy, following policies, procedures and guidance from your management team and Trainer/Assessor
- Organised and self‑motivated – you can manage your time effectively, making good use of off‑the‑job learning time and completing coursework to deadlines
- A team player – you communicate confidently and enjoy building positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues
What does our apprenticeship offer you?
- A blend of practical experience and theory – you’ll be based in the nursery, with regular visits from a Trainer/Assessor and group training sessions (every 6‑8 weeks) at our academy in Newport Pagnell
- A recognised qualification – study towards a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner or Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, determined through an online initial assessment
- Functional Skills support – if required, you’ll complete English and/or maths Functional Skills qualifications in line with government and EYFS requirements
- Paediatric First Aid – training delivered at our academy, with certification valid for three years
Eligibility criteria:
- Have the right to work in the UK and a National Insurance number
- Ideally hold photographic ID (passport or driving licence, full or provisional)
- Have access to a laptop or PC for online assessments and coursework
- Have been resident in the UK for at least the last three years
- Be able to travel to group training sessions in Newport Pagnell (MK16 8NJ) – travel costs will be covered
Inclusion & next steps: We’re proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Applicants must be 16 +, in line with government apprenticeship rules. We’re committed to FREDIE fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement, and will consider any reasonable adjustments. If you meet the essential criteria, your application will be automatically shortlisted for review by our Recruitment Team. Applicants must live within a commutable distance of the nursery. Visa sponsorship is not available. Safer recruitment checks apply, including an Enhanced DBS check. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.
Childcare Apprentice in Cambridge employer: Ukefixe.com
Contact Detail:
Ukefixe.com Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Childcare Apprentice in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, visit the Childbase Partnership nursery if you can. Familiarising yourself with the environment and staff will help you feel more confident and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! As a childcare apprentice, you'll be working closely with children and parents. Role-play common scenarios with friends or family to boost your communication skills and prepare for those tricky questions.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During interviews, share specific examples of why you love working with children. Whether it’s a fun activity you’ve planned or a moment that made you smile, let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to apply directly at StudySmarter. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and helps us keep track of your application better.
We think you need these skills to ace Childcare Apprentice in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for working with children right from the start! Share any relevant experiences or activities that highlight your love for early years education.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and qualities we’re looking for. Mention how you can contribute to our nurturing environment and support child development.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so avoid fluff and get straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and gets the attention it deserves.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ukefixe.com
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the basics of child development and the early years curriculum. Brush up on key concepts and be ready to discuss how you can apply them in a nursery setting.
✨Show Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your love for childcare and your eagerness to learn and grow in this field.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about how you would handle specific situations with children. Think about examples where you've demonstrated nurturing behaviour or problem-solving skills, and be prepared to discuss these in detail.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready to ask about the nursery's approach to childcare or the apprenticeship programme. This shows your interest and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.