Early Years Apprentice

Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschool; Hedge End; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 40% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension

24/7 virtual GP appointments

Early wage access

Career coaching

Job summary

Bright Horizons Hedge End Day Nursery is hiring an Early Years Apprentice to join a caring, supportive team at a listed farmhouse setting in Hedge End. You’ll nurture babies and children up to age 5 through outdoor play, exploration and structured activities, while online coursework is completed with your assessor.

The role emphasises safety, learning through play, and building strong partnerships with parents and colleagues.

Qualifications

• GCSE Grade C/Level 4 English or Functional Skills Level 2, or willingness to complete.
• Experience with children is beneficial but not essential.
• Commitment to completing your apprenticeship.
• Passion for making learning fun and engaging for each child.
• Ability to build trust and partnerships with colleagues and parents.
• Ability to use various communication techniques with children and adults.

Responsibilities

• Look after babies and children up to age 5 as part of a team.
• Engage in interactive play, activities and reading.
• Attend required training and coursework for the apprenticeship.
• Reflect and apply new ideas to enhance development and learning.

Skills

Commitment to apprenticeship

English GCSE/Level 2

Experience with children

Passion for learning

Partnership with parents

Various communication techniques

Education

GCSE English or Level 2

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Hedge End Day Nursery

Salary – £26,662.20 per annum

Location – Hedge End

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”

We’re looking for an Early Years Apprentice to join our Hedge End nursery.

At Hedge End Nursery, you’ll work in a beautiful listed farmhouse filled with character, wooden beams, and a large, tree-filled garden. Our experienced and supportive team spends each day nurturing children through outdoor play, exploration, and plenty of muddy-puddle moments

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 40% for first child


• Enhanced parental leave


• 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*


• Pension


• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more


• Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach


• Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As an Early Years Apprentice, you will work as part of a team to look after babies and children up to the age of 5. You will have adventures with our children through interactive play, activities, reading, and encouraging their curious minds – creating learning opportunities that support the children’s learning. With the support of your assessor, you will attend all required training and coursework for completion of your formal qualification. You will reflect and proactively use new ideas and initiatives, including feedback, to enhance development and learning.

What We’re Looking For

• Commitment to completing your apprenticeship


• English qualification GCSE Grade C / Level 4 or above or Functional Skills Level 2. If not already held, a willingness to complete alongside your apprenticeship


• Previous experience working with children beneficial but not essential - Nursery Bank Staff, Nursery Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Nursery Practitioner, Early Years Educator, Nanny, Childminder or similar.


• Passion for making learning fun and engaging for each child


• Ability to develop trust and strong working partnerships with both colleagues and parents


• Ability to use a variety of communication techniques with both children and adults

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.

Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years.