Apprentice early years educator

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who has the imagination to follow the children where they lead, the confidence to extend their play and learning, and the awareness to remain attentive to what is happening across the wider setting.

We are a highly inclusive nursery and a significant part of this role involves supporting children with SEND. Our children have a wide range of individual needs, including developmental delay, communication difficulties and children who are non-speaking or use alternative ways to communicate.

We are particularly keen to hear from someone who is interested in developing their knowledge and experience of SEND. You don't need to arrive as an expert — we can teach you strategies, interventions and approaches — but you do need to be patient, observant, compassionate and willing to learn how each individual child communicates.

At times, children who are struggling to communicate or regulate their emotions may express this physically, including through behaviours such as biting or hitting. You will be supported by an experienced team to understand what a child is communicating through their behaviour, recognise triggers and help them develop safer ways to communicate and regulate. We aren't looking for someone who simply wants to "manage behaviour"; we want to support someone who is interested in understanding the child behind it.

This can be a wonderfully rewarding environment in which to train. You will have opportunities to develop skills in supporting communication, interaction, emotional regulation and individual development alongside gaining experience of the full early years curriculum.

We are an equal opportunities employer and look forward to receiving applications from enthusiastic candidates who share our inclusive approach. Many of our children are neurodivergent and we welcome candidates with personal experience.

You will eventually undertake a key-person role, so you will need to feel confident developing positive relationships with parents and carers. Your literacy skills will also need to be sufficient to complete children's observations and the written work required for your apprenticeship.

For a Level 2 apprenticeship, you do not need any formal qualifications. For Level 3, you will normally need English GCSE at grade 4/C or an equivalent qualification. Depending on assessment and the requirements of the apprenticeship provider, there may also be opportunities to complete Functional Skills in English and/or maths alongside the apprenticeship.

We are committed to safeguarding and expect all applicants to share this commitment. You will need to provide two checkable references as part of the recruitment process and will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check before commencing your post, together with an Ofsted suitability check once appointed.

The current rate of pay is £8 per hour and will increase in line with applicable minimum-wage requirements.

Please message us for a full job description and application form, which we can send to you by email.

Closing date: 01/10/2026

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is appointed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From £8.00 per hour

Work Location: In person