Nursery Apprentice

NHS; Slough; On-site; GBP 16,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Slough is hiring for a full-time nursery position at Jack in the Box Nursery, offering a salary of £7.55 per hour. The role involves assisting in the development of the nursery environment, providing excellent day care for children, and working towards NVQ qualifications in childcare. Ideal candidates will have good communication skills and experience working in teams. Join a committed team in an established and supportive nursery environment where every day promotes fun and learning for children.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days' annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Candidates must possess Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or above.
• Commitment to pursue an NVQ qualification in childcare is essential.
• Experience working in a team is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining a safe and stimulating environment for children.
• Develop good working relationships with parents and encourage their participation.
• Compile and maintain accurate progress records on children.

Skills

Good communication skills

Experience of teamwork

Flexible approach

Education

Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or above OR Level 1 Functional Skills

NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification in childcare

Job description

Job Summary

Full time position, 37.5 hours per week based at Jack in the Box Nursery, Slough. Working shifts between 7am - 6pm.

Salary £7.55 per hour.

Come and work in our friendly NHS nursery

Fantastic NHS benefits and training

Working in a great team of staff, many of whom have been with the nursery for a number of years

Be part of an important and high-profile organisation offering the best childcare, recommended by parents on daynurseries.co.uk

Enjoy your job. Every day is different at Jack in the Box and full of fun for the children and the staff. Arrive with a smile and leave with one!

Our Nurseries

The Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT) Nurseries began operating over 25 years ago and are located in Maidenhead, Slough and Reading. The nurseries offer full day care for 51 weeks per year, from 7.30am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. The buildings are single storey purpose built environments that offer care and education for children up until the age of 5.

Being owned by the NHS, the BHFT nurseries come highly recommended by families and the standard of care demonstrated for all children links to the expectations that the NHS portray worldwide.

The BHFT nurseries employ a high calibre of staff, ranging from Nursery Trainees to Degree Level practitioners. In general, the nurseries have a low staff turnover, and the retention of highly skilled and motivated staff is paramount.

Main Duties of the Job

The post holder is to assist in the development and running of the nursery, to provide good day care for the children in a safe, clean and stimulating environment.

• To provide the best possible care and stimulation for the children of the nursery meeting their physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs in a non-discriminatory manner.
• To work in partnership with parents and encourage their involvement in the aims of the nursery and in all aspects of their child's care.
• To provide and maintain records as necessary and appropriate, in line with the EYFS Statutory Framework.
• To attend training courses, to ensure that modern, innovative and forward looking practices are maintained and to allow for personal career development.
• To assist in the daily domestic management of the nursery; ensuring that the nursery is kept safe, secure and clean at all times.
• To work effectively as part of a team on a daily basis.
• To participate fully in the daily routine of the individual rooms and to follow the guidance and instructions of the senior staff.
• To compile and maintain regular progress developmental records on key children, making sure that records are accurate, signed and dated.
• To develop good working relationships with parents and encourage parental interest and participation in the life of the nursery.
• To work towards achieving an NVQ level 2 or 3 qualification in childcare.

About Us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated "outstanding" by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Job Responsibilities

• Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or above OR Level 1 Functional Skills in Maths and English (this will be tested by the training provider)
• Commitment to commence working towards an appropriate NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification
• As stated in the EYFS, a good standard of written and spoken English. Also able to read and understand English such as to follow instructions or interpret a policy
• Experience of teamwork
• Flexible approach
• Good communication skills
• Paediatric first aid and food hygiene desirable
• Previous relevant work in childcare desirable
• A knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection desirable

Person Specification

1. Education / Qualifications / Training
   • Trainees need to successfully complete tasks/written work set by the training provider
   • Apprentices working towards an appropriate NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification
   • To complete the apprenticeship course and gain the NVQ Level 3 qualification you must have one of the following by the end of the course: Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or above OR Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English And pass an End Point Assessment
2. Continuous Professional Development
   • Apprentices, as stated in the EYFS a good standard of written and spoken English. Also be able to read and understand English such as to follow instructions or interpret a policy
3. Desirable
   • An understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage
   • Paediatric First Aid Certificate
   • Food Hygiene Certificate
   • A knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection and appropriate protocol
4. Previous Experience
   • Experience of any work which demonstrates the skills required for the post
5. Desirable
   • Experience of team work
   • Previous relevant work in childcare
6. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
   • Good communication skills
7. Additional Requirements
   • Flexible approach to hours which includes a willingness to attend meetings, training and nursery events as appropriate

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Nursery Jack In The Box , Upton Hospital

Slough

SL1 2BJ

Website: https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Rebecca Croft, Nursery manager on 01189044638, who will be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job Details

Date posted 12 December 2025 | Pay scheme Other | Salary £7.55 per hour | Contract Fixed term | Duration 1 year | Working pattern Full-time | Reference number 371-CS322-A | Job locations Nursery Jack In The Box , Upton Hospital, Slough SL1 2BJ