Apprentice Educator

Busy Bees Childcare; England; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the United Kingdom is seeking an Apprentice to work towards becoming a qualified Early Years Professional. As part of the team, you'll plan activities for children and gain valuable mentorship. The role offers a competitive salary and numerous benefits, including holidays, discounts, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development and career progression

50% childcare discount

Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders

Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

Qualifications

• Must be working or caring for children, whether voluntary or paid.
• Desirable to hold a Level 2 in Early Years, Maths and English grade C/4 or above.

Responsibilities

• Involvement in planning stimulating activities for children in care.
• Assisting in delivering high-quality childcare.
• Building effective relationships with children, parents, and team members.

Skills

Passion for working with children

Enthusiasm and proactivity

Education

Level 2 in Early Years, Maths and English grade C/4 or above

Job description

Overview

Join Our Team at Busy Bees – Leading Nursery Group in the UK. Do you want to become a qualified Early Years Professional? Are you serious about a career in the Early Years sector? This role is ideal for anyone who has a genuine passion for working with children and is keen to learn and progress in their own professional development.

Busy Bees is the UK's leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries across the UK and more overseas. We are dedicated to giving every child the best start in life and are proud to have won awards for our workplace culture. At Busy Bees, we ensure that every member of our team feels heard, valued, and nurtured.

Why Work at Busy Bees? We offer a supportive environment that empowers you to create engaging, educational spaces where children can thrive. As part of our team, you’ll be introduced to our unique Bee Curious curriculum, designed to foster curiosity and confidence in young learners. Our Charitable Commitment Through our partnership with BBC Children in Need, we offer fantastic opportunities for community involvement and fundraising to support children's lives.

About our Nursery

Busy Bees Swindon Peatmoor, rated Good by Ofsted, has a capacity of 100 children and features a longstanding staff team, with some members having been with Busy Bees for over 15 years. Our passionate team consistently strives to provide the best start in life for our children through a variety of educational programs, including UP (a toilet training program), UP and Active with Buzz, the School program, Busy Hands, and the Bee Curious curriculum. We also implement a "Sign of the Week" initiative and maintain a good ratio of qualified staff, including a Level 6 practitioner. Our nursery offers large outdoor areas specific to each age group, and we engage parents through regular events such as parent evenings, stay-and-plays, and tea parties. We celebrate a harvest festival each October, donate to our local food bank, and organise outings and community walks. We host open days where local businesses are invited, and parents with specific occupations are welcomed to share their knowledge with the children.

Conveniently located near a bus stop just a minute’s walk away and next to a convenience shop, we are also close to picturesque lake and woodland walk areas. We offer free parking for staff, along with a work anniversary acknowledgment program, a LOVE voucher/staff shout-out scheme, and staff discounts for childcare, creating a supportive and rewarding environment for our team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Our “Hive” benefits and wellbeing hub, with discounts across a huge range of retailers
• Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
• Your birthday off – it’s our gift to you!
• 50% childcare discount
• Enhanced family leave and return to work bonus
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial support through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Easy access to your workplace pension through Cushon
• Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

But wait, there’s more! You’ll also enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive, offering a huge array of retail discounts, a Wellbeing Hub, a Celebrating You section, and a Grow with Us area sharing development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow at Busy Bees.

Key responsibilities and expectations for Apprentices

• Involvement in planning stimulating activities for the children in your care in line with the EYFS
• Assisting in delivering a high level of quality childcare, maintaining a professional and positive outcome for both children and staff
• Building effective relationships with children, parents and team members
• Ensuring each child’s individual needs are met
• Contributing to the safeguarding of all children
• Actively work towards the apprenticeship standards provided by Busy Bees Education and Training with an expectation of completion within the agreed timeframe
• Be enthusiastic and proactive in developing own skills within the workplace
• Demonstrate commitment to continued professional development
• Communicate with their line Manager regarding the activities and progress within the room

As an Apprentice, you will be working alongside inspiring qualified staff who will support and mentor you whilst completing your apprenticeship. You will attend bespoke Learning & Development courses where you will be provided with underpinning knowledge and skills to support you in everyday practice. A Development Coach will visit you regularly in your nursery, assessing your work, providing recognition for your progress and vital guidance to support you in the next part of your apprenticeship.

To apply you must be working or caring for children, whether voluntary or paid. Having a Level 2 in Early Years, Maths and English grade C/4 or above or functional skills level 2 is desirable.