Childcare Apprenticeship

Woodward, Inc.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 12,000; Full time

Job summary

A childcare provider in Greater London is seeking an apprentice to work with children aged 0-5. Responsibilities include creating a safe, nurturing environment, enhancing children's development through play and education, and advocating for their needs. The role offers a structured apprenticeship with on-the-job training towards an Advanced Diploma in Early Years, starting at £11,778 annually. Applicants should have GCSE English and Maths (grade 4) and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum GCSE English and Maths at grade 4.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills essential.
• Creativity and problem-solving abilities are required.

Responsibilities

• Work in a childcare setting with children aged 0-5 years.
• Help children develop numeracy and language skills.
• Provide sensitive personal care for children.
• Ensure children's needs and welfare are met.
• Advocate for children's needs, including SEND or EAL support.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Problem‑solving skills

Presentation skills

Number skills

Logical reasoning

Team working

Creative thinking

Initiative

Patience

Physical fitness

Education

GCSE English (grade 4)

GCSE Maths (grade 4)

Job description

Responsibilities

• Work in a childcare setting with children aged 0-5 years.
• Complete a variety of day-to-day childcare tasks to ensure children's needs, welfare and education are met.
• Help children develop numeracy and language skills through games, singing, role play and storytelling.
• Provide a high level of service to external customers and parents.
• Meet a child's care needs, including feeding, changing nappies and administering medicine.
• Recognise and act when a child or colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse, in line with safeguarding policy.
• Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect children' health, safety and wellbeing (e.g., food safety, diets, allergies, COSHH, accidents).
• Apply risk assessment and risk management principles in documentation and practice.
• Teach children to manage risk and maintain their own and others' safety.
• Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet individual child needs.
• Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in a child's education and care.
• Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
• Recognise and apply attachment theories to build effective relationships with children.
• Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
• Advocate for all children's needs, including those requiring SEND or EAL support.
• Promote and facilitate children' interpersonal communication and social interactions.
• Support children to develop a positive sense of identity and culture.
• Help children understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about behaviour.
• Assess the environmental responsiveness for effective child‑centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
• Design inclusive, child‑centred, dynamic, innovative and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
• Create an inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables children to feel safe, secure, respected and to experience wellbeing; prioritise each child's voice.
• Apply strategies that support children' ability to manage change, transition and significant events.
• Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of a child's needs and interests.
• Facilitate and support child‑centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
• Provide adult‑led opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
• Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.

Qualifications

• GCSE English (grade 4)
• GCSE Maths (grade 4)
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem‑solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Number skills
• Logical reasoning
• Team working
• Creative thinking
• Initiative
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Training and Apprenticeship

Training will take place in the workplace and include a paediatric first aid qualification.

You will attend online training with your assessor for 10 days out of the 13‑month apprenticeship. The rest of the time you will work in the nursery under the support of a dedicated childcare assessor.

You will work towards an Advanced Diploma in Early Years, completing a 13‑month apprenticeship that requires dedication, commitment and punctuality.

Pay, Hours and Dates

£11,778 for the first year, with potential increase based on age.

Pay starting at £6.40 per hour for the initial 12 months, rising to the national minimum wage thereafter.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 30 hours a week; shifts to be confirmed.

Start date: Tuesday 17 February 2026.

Duration: 1 year 2 months.