Early Years Apprentice - 9 Month Programme

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC.; England; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount 40%

Enhanced parental leave

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Bright Horizons Sonning Lane Day Nursery and Pre School is offering a nine‑month Early Years Apprenticeship to become a qualified Practitioner. You will work four days per week in the nursery with one day at the Learning Hub, supported by experienced staff and a dedicated apprenticeship provider.

The role focuses on caring for babies and children up to age 5, helping their learning, development and wellbeing through play and daily interactions.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above, or Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects.
• You must have lived in the UK for the last three years; sponsorship not available.
• Previous experience with children is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a team caring for babies and children up to age 5, supporting learning, development and wellbeing through play-based experiences.
• Complete a nine-month apprenticeship with four days per week in the nursery and one day per week at the Learning Hub.
• Receive ongoing support from nursery staff and apprenticeship specialists to develop skills and confidence.

Skills

Strong communication

Willingness to learn

Relationship building

Education

GCSE English & Maths (4/C or above)

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Sonning Lane Day Nursery and Pre School

Salary – £26,662.20 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Sonning, Reading

Are you looking to start or develop your career in Early Years with an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? At Bright Horizons, we're offering an exciting opportunity to join our fast track Level 3 Early Years Apprenticeship Programme. This nine month programme combines structured learning with hands on experience in one of our nurseries, giving you the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become a qualified Early Years Practitioner. You'll be supported throughout your journey by experienced nursery colleagues, a dedicated apprenticeship provider and pastoral support to help you succeed both professionally and personally.

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 40% for first child*
• Enhanced parental leave 31 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays and paid Christmas closure, with the option to purchase additional leave*
• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages and more
• Professional development opportunities and long-term career progression within Bright Horizon

The Role

As an Early Years Apprentice, you will work as part of a team caring for babies and children up to the age of 5, supporting their learning, development and wellbeing through play based experiences and everyday interactions. This is a fast track nine month apprenticeship programme where you will work four days per week within the nursery, gaining practical experience, and spend one day per week at our Learning Hub undertaking structured learning towards your Level 3 Early Years Practitioner qualification. Throughout the programme, you will receive ongoing support from experienced colleagues and apprenticeship specialists, helping you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence required to become a qualified Early Years professional.

What We’re Looking For

• A genuine passion for working with children and starting a rewarding career in Early Years.
• Commitment to completing the nine month apprenticeship programme
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above, or Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects
• You must have lived in the UK for the last three years. Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role
• Previous experience working with children is desirable but not essential – Nursery Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Nanny, Childminder, Care Assistant or similar
• We welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds who can demonstrate a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for learning.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to learn, develop and apply new knowledge in practice.

Why Choose This Apprenticeship?

This apprenticeship is designed for individuals who are ready to commit to developing a professional career in Early Years. Through a combination of classroom learning, workplace experience and dedicated support, you will develop the skills and knowledge required to work as a qualified Early Years Practitioner while making a positive difference to young children's lives every day. 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.

Our Culture

At Bright Horizons, our culture is built on our commitment to Keeping Everyone Safe and providing world-class care and education, delivered by a world-class workforce. We believe our people’s potential is endless and with this in mind, we aspire to create an environment where our colleagues can thrive and accomplish the things they thought impossible. Bright Horizons has been recognised as a Great Place to Work by our employees and the Great Place to Work Institute for the last 13 years. We care passionately about what we do, and our HEART values and principles help us support one another in the work that we do each day. These are quite literally at the HEART of our organisation’s ethos and culture as it helps us to provide a working environment that supports professionalism, growth and diversity. We are passionate about our people’s ongoing learning and development. Our learning and leading with HEART framework supports each Bright Horizons colleague on the first steps of their leadership journey, whether that includes our 'World-Class Welcome' induction or our extensive ongoing training programme. Either way we want you to feel valued and invested in! Celebrating in the accomplishments of our people is an essential part of our culture. We believe in the power of “thank you” and throughout the year, in ways big and small, formal and informal, we show our appreciation for employees at all levels. We have many ways to acknowledge and celebrate our people, including our very popular “employee appreciation month”. This is a chance for everyone to share their gratitude to one another, across the whole company. Whether it is a “thank you” placed on our website, a chocolate pizza, team lunch or an ice cream van visit, it is our way of showing each other we care and appreciate everything we do. Each year, we have our annual 'Awards of Excellence' events; whether you are an award winner or cheering on a fellow team member, these formal award occasions are opportunities to come together and celebrate one another.