Apprentice Nursery Assistant

Kids Ltd.; Tilgate; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A childcare apprenticeship provider is offering an apprenticeship in childcare based in Tilgate. The role involves delivering high-quality care for children aged 0-5, supporting their learning activities, and collaborating with colleagues. You'll develop skills in early childhood development and care, and there are progression opportunities after successful completion of the program. This role requires teamwork, creativity, and a non-judgemental approach to working with children.

Qualifications

• Willingness to support children aged 0-5 years in a nursery setting.
• Ability to communicate with children, including those with additional needs.
• Experience or interest in early years education and development.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality care and support to young children.
• Organize and engage in activities that promote development.
• Collaborate with colleagues to maintain a positive environment.

Skills

Team working

Creative

Non-judgemental

Education

Level 2 Technical Certificate

Level 2 Functional Skills in English, maths and ICT

Employee Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)

Job description

Overview

Apprenticeship in childcare with children aged birth to five years. Role involves delivering high-quality care and supporting early learning activities in a safe, clean, and stimulating environment. You will work under supervision and collaborate with colleagues to promote children’s development and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Working with children between the ages of 0-5 years, organising activities, and being proactive with care in the early years sector.
• Assisting and meeting the personal and emotional needs of individual children (e.g., changing nappies, feeding, caring) and establishing positive relationships.
• Providing all aspects of care and support to children and ensuring participation in day-to-day learning and play activities (under supervision).
• Maintaining a safe, clean, and well-presented setting.
• Collaborating with colleagues to maintain high standards of work in a positive manner.
• Contributing to a high-quality caring environment that supports emotional, social, and educational development through individual attention and group activities.
• Attending team meetings and contributing relevant ideas.
• Understanding and implementing the setting’s confidentiality policy.
• Supporting babies and young children through transitions and significant events (e.g., moving to school, moving house, birth of a sibling).
• Recognising when a child is in danger or at risk and following safeguarding procedures (types of abuse include domestic, neglect, physical, emotional, and sexual).
• Identifying risks and hazards and following reporting procedures for on-site and off-site activities.
• Practising infection prevention and control, hygiene, spill response, waste disposal, and use of PPE.
• Using equipment, furniture and materials safely, following manufacturers’ instructions and setting requirements.
• Encouraging personal safety and hygiene practices for children, including oral hygiene.
• Promoting health and wellbeing through healthy meals and physical activity, indoors and outdoors.
• Carrying out respectful care routines (feeding/weaning, nappies, toilet training, skin, teeth, hair, rest and sleep).
• Communicating with all children, including those with English as an additional language and additional needs, using verbal and non-verbal methods.
• Extending children’s development through active communication and a range of learning activities.
• Planning and reviewing educational activities to support holistic development through play, creativity, social development and learning.
• Observing, assessing, planning and recording outcomes, sharing results accurately and confidentially per statutory and organisational requirements.
• Supporting early language development and early literacy/numeracy through learning activities.
• Progressing children’s development in mark making, writing, reading, numbers, counting and sorting.
• Participating in the graduated approach to assessment, planning, implementation and review of individual care and participation plans.
• Working in ways that value and respect developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
• Using feedback and supervision to identify development goals and career opportunities.
• Working cooperatively with colleagues and other professionals to meet children’s needs and enable progression.
• Engaging with parents or carers and recognising their role in health, wellbeing, learning and development.
• Encouraging parental involvement in children’s care, play, learning and development.
• Sharing information with parents about healthy diets, oral care and physical activity.
• Being involved in transitions and significant events for children as they grow.

Qualifications

• Level 2 Technical Certificate
• Level 2 Functional Skills in English, maths and ICT (where applicable)
• Employee Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)
• Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)
• Work-based learning; share if you have other relevant qualifications or industry experience
• Team working
• Creative
• Non-judgemental

About the opportunity

Kids Capers Day Nursery was established in 2000. The apprenticeship program provides practical on-the-job training in a nursery setting for roles working with babies and young children, with progression opportunities after successful completion.

Role details

• Wage: £15,704 for the first year, with potential increases based on age and National Minimum Wage regulations for apprentices
• Hours: Monday - Friday on a flexible shift rota between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm; 40 hours per week
• Start date: 1 March 2026
• Duration: 1 year