Apprentice Educator

Busy Bees; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 28 days holiday per year (incl.

Your birthday off

Up to 50% childcare discount

Job summary

Busy Bees in the UK is offering Early Years Apprenticeships across our nursery network. As an apprentice, you will learn under experienced Early Years professionals, receive dedicated mentoring, and take part in bespoke Learning & Development courses to build a long-term childcare career.

You will be supported by a Development Coach, gain hands-on experience in a busy nursery, and be part of a team dedicated to giving children the best start in life.

Qualifications

• Be passionate about childcare and motivated to start a career in Early Years.
• To meet funding eligibility, you must have been a resident in the UK for at least the 3 consecutive years
• Be able to provide evidence of Maths and English achievements (GCSE Maths and English grade 3/D or above or Level 2 Functional Skills)

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver age-appropriate activities following the EYFS framework.
• Support team to provide high-quality childcare and positive learning.
• Build strong relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
• Understand and meet each child’s individual needs.
• Contribute to safeguarding of all children.
• Progress through Busy Bees apprenticeship within the expected timeframe.
• Show enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment to development.
• Be proactive in learning new skills daily.
• Provide regular progress updates to the line manager.

Education

GCSE Maths and English grade 3/D or above or Level 2 Functional Skills

A Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification

Job description

Join Our Busy Bees Family – Start Your Career in Early Years Today!

Are you passionate about working with children and ready to begin a rewarding career in the Early Years sector? At Busy Bees, the UK’s leading nursery group, we’re looking for enthusiastic, caring individuals to join us as Early Years Apprentices.

Whether you’re taking your first step into childcare or looking to grow your skills, this is your chance to learn, develop, and make a real difference every day.

Why Choose a Busy Bees Apprenticeship?

As an Apprentice, you will:

• Work alongside experienced, inspiring Early Years professionals
• Receive dedicated support and mentoring throughout your qualification
• Take part in bespoke Learning & Development courses
• Be regularly visited by your Development Coach for feedback and guidance
• Gain the skills, confidence, and experience needed for a long-term career in childcare

Our apprentices are valued members of the team — you won't just be watching; you will be learning, contributing, and growing from day one!

Why Busy Bees?

At Busy Bees, we’re proud to be the UK’s leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries nationwide and more around the world. Our mission is simple: to give every child the very best start in life. We’ve also been recognised for our positive workplace culture, and we’re committed to making sure every team member feels valued, supported, and listened to.

You’ll also experience:

• • Our award-winning Bee Curious curriculum - designed to spark imagination, confidence, and a love of learning in every child.
  • A workplace culture where every team member feels valued and supported
  • Opportunities to get involved in our charity partnership with BBC Children in Need

About our Nursery

Basingstoke Hospital, rated Good by Ofsted, has a capacity of 88 children and features a dedicated qualified staffing team passionate about providing the best outcomes in life. We maintain strong links with the community, including local schools and the hospital, and host annual visits from the police to foster community relations. Conveniently located on the hospital site, we have close access to bus routes and offer free parking for staff, ensuring easy access to our nurturing environment.

Busy Bees Benefits

We offer a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing training and career progression
• Access to our Hive benefits and wellbeing platform - with discounts across a huge range of retailers
• Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
• Your birthday off - our gift to you!
• Up to 50% childcare discount
• Enhanced family leave and return-to-work bonus
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial guidance through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme & Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Workplace pension with Cushon
• Option for discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

Your responsibilities and expectations

As an apprentice, you will:

• Help plan and deliver exciting, age-appropriate activities following the EYFS framework
• Support the team to provide high-quality childcare and positive learning experiences for all children
• Build strong, supportive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues
• Ensure children’s individual needs are understood and met
• Contribute to the safeguarding of all children
• Work proactively toward completing your apprenticeship provided by Busy Bees Education and Training within the expected timeframe
• Show enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment to your own development
• Show an enthusiastic, proactive, and open approach to learning new skills every day
• Provide your line Manager with regular information about the activities and progress within the room

Essential Criteria

To apply, you must:

• Be passionate about childcare and motivated to start a career in Early Years
• To meet funding eligibility, you must have been a resident in the UK for at least the 3 consecutive years
• Be able to provide evidence of Maths and English achievements (GCSE Maths and English grade 3/D or above or Level 2 Functional Skills)

Desirable Criteria (not essential)

• A Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification

Start your future in Early Years with a team that truly believes in you.