Early Years Apprentice Tooting

Kido; Greater London; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A nursery group is seeking an Early Years Apprentice to provide support in creating a safe and engaging learning environment for young children. This role offers a pathway to a nationally recognized qualification, with competitive salary packages and benefits such as free childcare, annual leave, and progression opportunities. The ideal candidate is passionate about early childhood education and eager to learn in a supportive team setting.

Benefits

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays

100% free childcare

£1,000 referral bonus

Enhanced sick pay

Access to a healthcare cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• No existing qualifications needed for Level 3 Apprentice, but passion and willingness to learn are essential.
• Experience with children, ideally in a nursery setting is desired.
• Maths and English GCSE desirable but Level 1 functional skills accepted.

Responsibilities

• Support the team in providing a safe and inspiring learning environment.
• Deliver engaging activities aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Communicate effectively with parents, children, and colleagues.

Skills

Passion for Early Years and Childcare

Team player

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Job description

Description

Kido is a place where innovation and imagination unite to create modern Early Years settings. We are looking for an Early Years Apprentice to join our team at Kido location: St Barnabas Church Hall Thirsk Rd Mitcham CR4 2BD.

We are an international group operating in India, USA and the UK. All our nurseries are Ofsted rated Good and Outstanding and are based in London and Windsor. We are still growing with 1-2 new nurseries opening each year. At Kido we blend the best practices from the Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf Steiner approaches and have a unique curriculum for children aged 3 months to 5 years. We believe that a combination of free and structured play, an engaging and interactive learning environment and an abundance of love, care and attention provide the most solid foundation for children in their early years.

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 £26,000 (12.50)

What we offer on L3 Apprenticeship

• The Early Years Apprentice role offers a salary for L3 Apprenticeship of £19,240 for full time 40 hours per week.
• A pay increase when you achieve Level 2 competency sign‑off bringing your salary up to £21,320 (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 £26,499 (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.
• Your birthday off.
• 100% free childcare at Kido (subject to available spaces & T&C’s).
• £1,000 referral bonus.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• 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.

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 being an Early Years Apprentice involves

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. 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.

As an Early Years Apprentice your primary focus will be supporting the team in providing a safe and inspiring learning environment where every child thrives. You’ll be a team player with a positive can‑do attitude collaborating with the team to deliver engaging activities that align with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). An ability to effectively communicate with parents, children and colleagues will empower you to deliver the best experience possible.

You’ll have safeguarding at the forefront of your mind ensuring any concerns are raised and escalated immediately. With a hands‑on approach and with great attention to detail you’ll deliver exceptional experiences throughout the children’s learning journeys within our nursery. You’ll also get involved with mealtimes ensuring all dietary requirements are met and any other reasonable tasks to ensure the smooth running of the nursery environment.

We take pride in creating a nurturing environment that caters to individual needs acknowledging the diversity of each child’s background, culture, disabilities and medical history. Your flexibility and dedication, insights and feedback will be valued as we constantly push the boundaries of excellence and reimagine what exceptional early years education really means.

What we’re looking for

• 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.
• You must have some evidence of experience with children, ideally in a nursery setting.
• 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 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.

Whats next

If you’re ready to seize the opportunity to join the Kido team and build a fulfilling career apply today and we’ll be in touch. You can expect an initial phone call with one of our Talent Partners who will take you through the next stages.

Legal Information – Criminal Convictions

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.

Safeguarding – Commitment

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.