Apprentice Educator

Busy Bees In Portishead; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 9,000 - 12,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday off

50% childcare discount

Enhanced family leave and return-to‑工作

Employee Assistance Programme

Mental Health First Aiders

Cycle to Work scheme

Workplace pension

Job summary

Busy Bees is seeking an Early Years Apprentice in the UK to start a rewarding career in childcare. You will work with experienced Early Years professionals, receive mentoring, and participate in tailored Learning & Development courses.

The role centres on supporting high-quality childcare and building strong relationships with children and families. Applicants should be passionate about childcare, meet residency and English/Maths criteria, and be prepared to learn and grow within Busy Bees

Qualifications

• Passion for childcare and starting a career in Early Years.
• Evidence of Maths and English achievements (GCSE or Level 2 Functional Skills).
• UK resident for at least the 3 consecutive years to meet funding eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Help plan and deliver 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 safeguarding of all children.
• Show enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment to your own development.

Skills

EYFS

Childcare

Learning support

Education

GCSE Maths & English (3/D or above) or Level 2 Functional Skills

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner (Desirable)

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

Gillingham, rated Good by Ofsted, is a purpose-built, single-level center with a capacity of 112 children, featuring 10 base rooms and separate garden areas tailored for each age group. We provide essential items such as nappies and wipes, ensuring convenience for families. Our nursery has strong ties with the local community and local authorities to support children’s development. Conveniently located within walking distance to bus stops and close to the motorway, we offer free onsite parking for staff. With a number of longstanding staff members, we are committed to providing a nurturing environment and a full-time fee rate for families.

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!
• 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

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

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews will take place on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.