Childcare Apprenticeship

Childbase Partnership; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare organization in Milton Keynes is looking for a compassionate childcare apprentice to support the development and well-being of children aged 0-5. Responsibilities include creating safe environments, working with parents, and observing children's growth. Applicants must have relevant qualifications and effective communication skills. Benefits include practical experience, in-house training, and potential bonuses. Join a nurturing team dedicated to positive childhood experiences.

Benefits

£300 completion payment

Annual tax-free dividend potential

Childcare discount

Fully paid enhanced DBS check

Complimentary meals at work

Annual leave options

Qualifications

• Evidence of National Insurance number and right to work in the UK.
• Ability to travel to training sessions in Newport Pagnell.
• Residency in the UK for at least 3 years.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain safe learning environments.
• Interact positively with nursery users.
• Manage time to meet coursework deadlines.
• Promote health and wellbeing.
• Observe, assess, plan and record outcomes.

Skills

Communication skills

Team working

Creativity

Initiative

Non‑judgemental attitude

Patience

Education

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification

Appropriate functional skills qualifications in maths and English

Job description

As a childcare apprentice, your main responsibilities will be to:

• Work as part of a team to create and maintain safe and supportive learning environments across the nursery, plan and implement opportunities to enhance children's development, and complete observations linked to the early years curriculum.
• Interact positively with all nursery users and work in partnership with colleagues and parents to ensure all children's individual needs are met at all times whilst they are in your care.
• Adhere to nursery routines and policies and seek guidance from your leadership team as required.
• Successfully manage your time to ensure you submit your coursework by the deadlines set by your assessor / tutor.
• Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events, e.g. moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling.
• Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them (domestic, neglect, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse).
• Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off‑site visits relating to both children and staff, and follow reporting procedures.
• Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing, food preparation, hygiene, spillages, safe disposal of waste, and correct use of PPE.
• Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following manufacturers' instructions.
• Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and others' safety, and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
• Promote health and wellbeing by encouraging healthy balanced meals, snacks, drinks appropriate for age and encouraging physical activity both indoors and outdoors.
• Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to stage and needs: feeding, weaning, nappy changing, potty training, care of skin, teeth, hair, rest and sleep.
• Communicate with all children, including those with additional needs, using verbal and non‑verbal methods suitable for language development.
• Extend children's development through communication methods.
• Use communication methods to share information with children, parents, carers, and other professionals.
• Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes for holistic development through play, creativity, social development and learning.
• Implement and review activities to support play, creativity, social development, and learning; clear up after activities.
• Observe children, assess, plan and record outcomes; share results accurately and confidentially in line with statutory and provision requirements.
• Use learning activities to support early language development.
• Support early interest and development in markmaking, writing, reading, and being read to.
• Support interest in mathematical learning: numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting, matching.
• Support the graduated approach for assessment, planning, implementation and review of each child's individual plan.
• Value and respect developmental needs and stages of babies and children in all work.
• Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support development, goals and career opportunities.
• Work cooperatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and children and enable them to progress.
• Work alongside parents or carers; recognise and facilitate their role in child's care, play, learning and development.
• Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in child's care, play, learning and development.
• Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of a healthy balanced diet, oral hygiene and physical activity.

Qualifications

• Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification (online assessment during shortlisting).
• Appropriate functional skills qualifications in maths and English (if not already held).
• Communication skills, Team working, Creativity, Initiative, Non‑judgemental attitude, Patience.
• Evidence of National Insurance number and right to work in the UK, photographic ID, access to a computer, residency in the UK for at least 3 years, and ability to travel to training sessions in Newport Pagnell.

Benefits & Training

• Opportunity to gain practical childcare experience working with children aged 0-5 in a nursery setting.
• ‘Off‑the‑job’ learning time within working week to support studies.
• Regular guidance and direction from a childcare trainer/assessor from our in‑house Training Academy of Excellence.
• Group training sessions with other apprentices (8 sessions as part of the Level 2 apprenticeship) held at our academy in Newport Pagnell.
• A permanent contract subject to successful completion of your qualification, leading to appointment as a qualified Nursery Nurse within our partnership.

What Makes Us Special?

• 100% employee‑owned – every colleague has a meaningful voice and shares in profits (tax‑free).
• “Number 1” – top spot in the prestigious Nursery rankings.
• Planting in excess of 2,000 trees in the Eden Restoration project.
• Over £3.5 million raised for charity.

Perks & Rewards During Apprenticeship

• A £300 congratulations payment upon successful completion of the Level 3 apprenticeship.
• Potential for an annual tax‑free dividend payment.
• £1,000 ‘Recommend a Friend’ bonus for every successful referral.
• Childcare discount from day one – 75% for your children and 40% for your grandchildren.
• Fully paid enhanced DBS check.
• Complimentary breakfast, lunch and refreshments at work.
• 23 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with option to buy and sell days.
• Annual conference and awards event recognising individual and team achievements.