Childcare Apprentice-Level 2

Tops Day Nurseries Ltd.; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 13,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops

Blue Light Card discounts

Health & wellbeing support

Generous holiday allowance including a

Job summary

Tops Day Nurseries Ltd. in Bournemouth, UK, is hiring a Childcare Apprentice Level 2. This part-time role offers 30 contracted hours per week at £8.01 per hour, working on-site while you train toward a Level 2 early years qualification.

The apprenticeship covers birth to age 7, with a focus on ages 0–5. You will gain hands-on experience, be assessed on-site, complete written tasks, and receive support from your assessor online. On completion you will be a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner.

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm for working with young children
• Good communication and teamwork
• Willingness to learn and develop in childcare

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing a safe environment for children
• Assist with daily, weekly and monthly checks around the nursery
• Assist in ensuring the unit is clean and tidy and assist in meal preparation
• Assist colleagues with developing and maintaining good relationships with local schools, charities and involvement with the community
• Taking children on trips out and assist on picking up from school
• Able to support children’s behaviour and act as a role model
• Support in ensuring the environment is stimulating and appropriate including layout, displays and equal opportunities

Skills

Childcare

Education

Level 2 Early Years Education

Job description

Childcare Apprentice-Level 2

Location: Bournemouth, Dorset, United KingdomDorset

Job type: Part TimeTemporary

Salary:£8.01 Hour
Contracted Hours:30 hours per week

Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe great childcare starts with great people. Since 1990, we have been creating inspiring early years environments where children thrive and colleagues are valued, supported, and given room to grow. As the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group, every team member has a voice, a stake in our success, and real opportunities to shape their future.

With more than 30 nurseries across the South of England, we offer rewarding opportunities for Apprentices, Nursery Practitioners, Nursery Managers, and Casual Staff who share our passion for outstanding early years care.

Proud winners of the 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025, we are proud to be a place where people love to work and children love to learn.

About the Role

Are you passionate about working with young children and eager to begin a rewarding childcare career? Join us as a Childcare Apprentice, gaining hands‑on experience while working towards a Level 2 qualification in early years education.

This qualification covers knowledge of children from birth to 7 years, focusing on ages 0-5, and meets the Department for Education's Level 2 criteria. You'll gain practical experience, be assessed on-site, and complete written tasks, with support from your assessor via an online platform.

Upon completion, you will qualify as a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner.

We are proud to be ranked 9th in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK in 2024! We offer fantastic opportunities to develop in a Nursery Career from Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeships all the way through to Nursery Manager or even to become an Early Years Teacher!

About the Nursery

Located in Boscombe, Tops Pokesdown Nursery is a purpose-built, eco‑friendly 135-place day nursery and preschool offering inspiring Early Education and Care for children from 3 months to preschool age. With beautiful open‑plan learning environments, a strong focus on active learning, and exciting enrichment activities including Forest School, cooking school, yoga, meditation, and Boogie Mites, we create engaging spaces where children can explore, grow, and thrive every day.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe in rewarding our team for their hard work and dedication. Here are some of the fantastic benefits you’ll enjoy as part of our family.

• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
• Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
• Health & wellbeing support- NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
• A generous holiday allowance- including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!

As well as many more exciting benefits! You can view the full list on our page or Careers website!

What does the role involve?

• Assist in providing a safe environment for children
• Assisting with daily, weekly and monthly checks around the nursery
• Assist in ensuring the unit is clean and tidy and assist in meal preparation
• Assist colleagues with developing and maintaining good relationships with local schools, charities and involvement with the community (e.g. parades, visiting care homes)
• Taking children on trips out and assist on picking up from school
• Able to support children’s behaviour and act as a role model
• Support in ensuring the environment is stimulating and appropriate including layout, display of resources, displays and equal opportunities

What are we looking for?

• We are looking for someone who is passionate and enthusiastic about beginning their career in child care.
• You do not need to have previous experience or qualifications in working with children to undertake this qualification but must be aged 17 or over. This is 100% work based course and there is no need for you to attend college.
• You will need to take this role seriously, and be able to demonstrate a good work ethic and be able to communicate effectively with the people around you, making sure that you treat both other staff and children with respect and care at all times.

Important Safeguarding Information

Because this role involves regulated activity with children, all candidates must:

• Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll need to cover the cost.
• Be eligible to work in regulated roles- not on the Children’s Barred List.
• Successfully complete background and reference checks.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.