Summary
At Pear Tree Nursery we are more than just a childcare provider, we aim to support children to enjoy the journey they embark upon in the early years of their lives prior to starting formal education.
Wage
£15,704 a year
pro rata
Training course
Early years practitioner (level 2)
Hours
The nursery operates from 7.30am - 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
40 hours a week
Start date
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Duration
1 year 6 months
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
We are an OUSTANDING family run business who are passionate about making the most of every day to day opportunity to explore with awe and wonder, whilst investigating the ever changing world around us. With this in mind we are also embarking upon becoming a Curiosity Approach Accredited nursery, taking childhood back to the adventure and enjoyment it once was.
As we step away from the conformities of the technology run world we live in, we embrace experiences such as; forest school, loose parts exploration and supporting independence whilst exploring safe risks.
We value every member of staff and the strengths, ideas and individuality they bring to the team. As a setting we enjoy team building adventures too, such as: bowling, afternoon tea, task master, bingo and bottomless brunch. We understand the challenges that can arise in the 'childcare industry' and aim to go the extra mile in supporting individuals professional development as well as their mental well being.
Due to recent expansion within our nursery setting we are currently looking for a qualified and experienced practitioner to join the Pear Tree family. As a nursery we are looking for the perfect individual to join our family who have a true passion for nurturing children, who clearly understand the value of helping a child to holistically grow.
An individual who is just as excited to develop as the children, some one who is confident to get involved in large scale activities and who is not afraid to go home looking just as messy as the children.
If this sounds like the job for you then we would love the opportunity to meet you. So please have a look on our Facebook page to get a further understanding of the ethos of Pear Tree then call the setting, send a CV and lets get the ball rolling.
Duties and responsibilities:
* Ensure that the standards and philosophy of the nursery and you understand and project them at all times to parents and other staff members
* Ensure that you are following the Early Years Foundation Stage, using all relevant paperwork to plan, observe, track and move children forward to their next stage of development
* Being responsible for a key group of children, keeping an accurate record of their developments and achievements
* Write regular learning journeys for each key child
* Being aware of each child's individual care needs, including medical information, sleeping and dietary needs
* Record the children's sleep times, eating habits and bottle-feeds
* Preparation and completion of activities to suit each child's stage of development and interest both in the classroom and the garden at all times
* Ensure that the children are safe and safeguarding procedures are being followed
* Ensure children who are unwell are monitored in line with our sickness policy and that management are notified so arrangements can be made with the parents
Specific child care tasks:
* Provide toys, activities and equipment that is appropriate to each child's developmental stage
* Sing, read stories and play games with the children
* Supervise at meal times, feeding and serving food, as necessary
* Prepare bottle feeds for babies within the room and ensure their individual needs are catered for
* Change nappies at regular times throughout the day or when required
* Create displays with the children's work
* Wash up any painting materials or kitchen utensils used, clearing up after activities
* Assisting in the induction process for children
* Ensure the safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards are maintained at all times
* Greet and approach parents and perform termly parent / teacher meetings
* Liaise with parents, carers or family members, forming professional relationships and share with them their child's development
* To be flexible within working practices of the nursery, helping where required and attending meetings
* To work alongside management ensuring the standards and philosophy of the nursery are maintained
Where you'll work
Chapel Street
Bignall End
ST7 8QD
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TOTAL PEOPLE 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
This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4+)
* Maths (grade 4+)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Administrative skills
* Attention to detail
* Communication skills
* Customer care skills
* Initiative
* IT skills
* Number skills
* Organisation skills
* Patience
* Physical fitness
* Presentation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Team working
Other requirements
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