Summary
Mill Cottage Montessori are looking for a new Nursery Assistant Apprentice. You will be studying toward your Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 2.
Wage
£14,722.50 a year
Training course
Early years practitioner (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday (Between 07:30 - 18:00)
37 hours a week
Start date
Thursday 12 March 2026
Duration
1 year
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
A perfect opportunity for somebody who has a passion for childcare and would like to make it their career at this Ofsted 'Outstanding' Nursery near Brighouse. This is a great career move for the right person; this nursery is supportive and guides all the apprentices through courses with the staff who also show their knowledge and skills to train new staff to the team. Practitioners provide support to children and their families, offering assistance with any aspect of early year's development, learning and education. We pride ourselves in our passion for childcare ensuring all children are valued, understood and respected. Mill Cottage Montessori School aims to develop independent, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through multi-cultural awareness and respect for themselves, each other and the environment. Montessori Education encourages students around the world to become compassionate and life-long learners who are tolerant and understanding of all living things, with an ethos of: TELL ME AND I FORGET, SHOW ME AND I REMEMBER, INVOLVE ME AND I UNDERSTAND.
Your role will include:
* To be flexible with working practices of the setting be prepared to help where needed, including to undertake certain domestic duties within nursery (preparation of snack, meals, cleaning of equipment etc.)
* To understand as part of your training you will be required to move to all age ranges of the nursery
* Work alongside the manager and staff team to ensure that the Montessori philosophy is fulfilled in your practice
* Assist children with their independence, dressing/undressing, potty training, teeth brushing, supporting at mealtimes with time for pleasant socialisation, being a role model with sharing and table manners
* Following the nurseries policies and procedures at all times, making sure you are familiar with all of the policies
* Provide comfort and warmth to an unwell child and making sure the children are collected by someone known to nursery
* Offering to all children equal opportunities with regard to their religious persuasion, racial origins, gender, disabilities, cultural or linguistic back ground, in particular, challenging situations where racism or discrimination are displayed
* Follow Individual learning and development plans for tailored targets and strategies
* To act as an ambassador for the nursery and maintain a positive image of its aims and objectives
* After your settling in period and successful observations as determined by your mentor, you will be required to keep an accurate 'Learning Journey' file on your key children
* To develop your role within the team especially as regard as a key worker
* Ensure preparation and completion of activities to suit the child's stage of development
* Once you have been trained on the EYFS you will support the team by completing observations and begin to link these to the development matters framework
Where you'll work
Wakefield Rd
HD6 4HA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PARAGON EDUCATION & SKILLS LIMITED
Training course
Early years practitioner (level 2)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events. e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling.
* Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
* Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures.
* Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
* Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and provision’s requirements.
* Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
* Promote health and wellbeing in the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
* Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
* Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication.
* Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
* Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
* Use a range of appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
* Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
* Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
* Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’s requirements.
* Use learning activities to support early language development.
* Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
* Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
* Support the graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
* Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
* Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
* Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
* Work alongside parents or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
* Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby's or child’s care, play, learning and development.
* Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.
* Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events. e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling.
* Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
* Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures.
* Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
* Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and provision’s requirements.
* Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
* Promote health and wellbeing in the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
* Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
* Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication.
* Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.
* Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.
* Use a range of appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
* Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.
* Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.
* Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’s requirements.
* Use learning activities to support early language development.
* Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
* Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
* Support the graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.
* Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
* Use feedback and mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
* Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.
* Work alongside parents or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
* Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby's or child’s care, play, learning and development.
* Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.
Training schedule
At Shaping Lives, we are dedicated to one mission: helping nurseries like yours nurture future generations through high-quality early childhood education. As a trusted training provider, we specialise in developing skilled, passionate educators who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children aged 0–5. Whether you're looking to enhance your current team's skills or recruit new talent, we’re with you every step of the way. Upon completion of this 12-month Apprenticeship, you will have obtained your Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 2 Apprenticeship.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Creative
* Initative
* Patience,
Other requirements
The closing date guidance, if a successful candidate is found before the advertised dates, the advert will close early.