Early Years Apprentice

Kido International; London Borough of Southwark; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday off

100% free childcare at Kido

£1000 refer a friend bonus

Annual performance-related pay raises

Career progression opportunities

Healthcare cash plan

Early pay access (Hastee)

Job summary

Kido International Nursery & Preschool in London is seeking an Early Years Apprentice. You’ll gain hands-on experience while working toward an early years qualification and earn £18,200–£19,240 per year.

The role is full-time at Kido Elephant Park Nursery & Preschool, SE17, with progression to higher pay and Level 2/3 milestones. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be prepared for safeguarding checks.

Qualifications

• Interest in Early Years and childcare, with a genuine passion for helping children learn.
• Willingness to undertake Level 3 apprenticeship and complete Level 2 sign-off as soon as ready.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of your apprenticeship journey by actively engaging in training and applying new skills.
• Create a warm, safe, and engaging environment where children feel happy and supported.
• Support children's learning and development through EYFS-aligned activities.
• Build meaningful relationships with children and act as a nurturing key person.
• Work closely with parents and carers to share progress and moments.
• Help create stimulating learning environments that encourage curiosity and exploration.
• Support children of all abilities, including those with SEN.
• Develop your skills through mentoring, training, and hands-on experience.

Skills

Right to work in the UK

Passion for Early Years

Willing to learn

Education

GCSE Maths and English desirable

Tools

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Job description

Early Years Apprentice

Department: Apprentice

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Kido Elephant Park Nursery & Preschool

Reporting To: Nursery Manager

Compensation: £18,200 - £19,240 / year

Description

Welcome to the heart of Kido, where passion, ambition, and people are at the core of everything we do! As an Apprentice you’ll gain valuable hands‑on experience within the nursery while working towards a sought‑after early years qualification.

What we offer

What we offer on L2 Apprenticeship

• The Early Years Apprentice role offers a salary for L2 Apprenticeship of £18,200 for full time, 40 hours per week.
• Once qualified salary increase to £26000 (12.50)

What we offer on L3 Apprenticeship

• The Early Years Apprentice role offers a salary for L3 Apprenticeship of £19240 for full time, 40 hours per week.
• A pay increase when you achieve Level 2 competency sign off bringing your salary up to £21320 (10.25) . Usually achievable within your first 2 months of employment.
• In the second year of your apprenticeship, you will receive a big pay uplift to the minimum wage for age.
• Once you complete your qualification your salary will increase to at least £26499 (12.74) and you will be eligible for your qualification bonus of £500 paid in 2 instalments.
• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising year on year to 30 days after 5 years service

Benefits

By Joining Kido You Will Get:

• Your birthday off
• 100% free childcare at Kido (subject to available spaces & T&C's)
• £1000 refer a friend bonus
• Annual performance-related pay increases
• Brilliant career progression opportunities
• Company awards, celebrations and team social events
• Access to a healthcare cash plan
• Early access to pay through the Hastee app
• Perkbox discounts and savings on thousands of retailers
• Your wellbeing matters – we provide a confidential employee assistance programme and access to our wellness hub
• Cycle to work scheme

What We Are Looking For

Our Level 3 course takes approximately 2 years to complete, but offers you advancement to Level 2 sign off as soon as you’re ready. The apprenticeship is designed to be work‑based, with dedicated time allocated to support you with relevant learning and study to gain your qualification.

We are looking for an Early Years Apprentice to join our team at Kido International Nursery & Preschool, Elephant and Castle, 3 Bodley Way, SE17 1FN

• For the Level 3 Apprentice role you do not need any existing qualifications, but must have genuine passion for Early Years and Childcare and be hardworking and keen to learn
• Some evidence of experience with children, ideally in a nursery setting, is preferable
• You must have the right to work in the UK and must hold UK residency for the past 3 years or more
• Maths and English GCSE is desirable however if you do not have these then you will complete a Level 2 Maths and English Functional Skills test to show competence in these areas. To be accepted initially, current equivalent of Level 1 Maths and English is required
• Your values will align with our 3 core values - Listen, Learn and Lead
• If shortlisted you’ll be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions prior to interview, in line with our Safer Recruitment process. We will also process an Enhanced DBS Criminal Record check for anyone who joins the team

Unfortunately we are not able to support Sponsorship Application at this time.

We encourage our team to be the best they can be. As a growing nursery group we can prioritise your development so that you’ll be ready for other positions as they arise throughout the company!

What you'll be doing!

• Take ownership of your apprenticeship journey by actively engaging in training, seeking feedback, and applying new skills to support your professional development.
• Create a warm, safe, and engaging environment where children feel happy, supported, and inspired to learn.
• Support children's learning and development through exciting, play-based activities aligned with the EYFS framework and Kïdo curriculum.
• Build meaningful relationships with children, becoming a trusted and nurturing key person in their daily lives.
• Work closely with parents and carers, sharing children's progress, achievements, and special moments.
• Help create stimulating learning environments that encourage curiosity, creativity, independence, and exploration.
• Support children of all abilities, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), ensuring every child feels included and valued.
• Develop your skills through mentoring, training, and hands‑on experience with innovative teaching approaches and curriculum enhancements.
• Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding, health and safety, and child well being at all times.
• Collaborate with a supportive team to deliver exceptional childcare, nursery events, and enriching learning experiences.
• Benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities while building a rewarding career in early years education.

Safer Recruitment

All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website or see here.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed.

*If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website. Unlock –http://hub.unlock.org.uk/contact/ phone [phone] text 07824 113848

*Kido is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. Kido will ensure that our recruitment procedures meet the standards set out in our safer recruitment policy (available upon request) and our selection criteria prevents unsuitable people from gaining access to children. As part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in our care, successful candidates are expected to undergo pre‑employment checks including an enhanced DBS and barred lists check.