Apprentice Educator

Busy Bees Nurseries; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 6,900 - 9,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ongoing training and career progresss

28 days holiday per year

Birthday off

25% childcare discount

Enhanced family leave

Mental Health support

Pension scheme

Job summary

Busy Bees is inviting you to begin an Early Years Apprenticeship at our Stockton Bowesfield nursery in Stockton-on-Tees. You’ll learn by doing, supported by experienced mentors while delivering age-appropriate activities under the EYFS framework.

Join a leading UK nursery group that values development, offers extensive training, and a generous benefits package, including 28 days holiday and childcare discounts, while you build a long-term career in childcare.

Qualifications

• Be passionate about childcare and motivated to start a career in Early Years.
• Resident in the UK for at least 3 consecutive years to meet funding eligibility.
• Evidence of Maths and English achievements (GCSE Maths and English grade 3/D or above or Level 2 Functional Skills).

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 the safeguarding of all children.
• Work toward completing your apprenticeship provided by Busy Bees Education and Training within the expected timeframe.
• Show enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment to your own development.

Skills

Childcare enthusiasm

Motivation for Early Years career

Team collaboration

Education

GCSE Maths and English grade 3/D or above

Level 2 Functional Skills (Maths/English)

A 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

Our beautiful Stockton Bowesfield nursery has an Ofsted rating of Good, and has a capacity of 108. Our passionate team of staff strive in giving all the children the best start in life. We have strong links to charities in the area to support those in need. Located in a busy industrial area our purpose built building is in the suburbs of Stockton-on-Tees. We're on Cygnet Drive, which is a short distance from the both the A66, A19, Stockton Town and Bowesfield Marsh and have a free onsite car park.

Busy Bees Benefits

• 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!
• 25% 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

• 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

• 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.