Summary
Playworkers support the delivery of safe, engaging and inclusive play opportunities for children aged 4–11 during breakfast and after-school clubs. This role provides hands-on childcare experience while completing a Level 2 Playworker apprenticeship with Educationwise Academy.
Wage
£9,815 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
Playworker (level 2)
Hours
15-25 hours per week depending on location. Shifts will typically include mornings and after-school sessions as part of wraparound care provision in primary schools. A rotating schedule may apply.
25 hours a week
Start date
Wednesday 1 April 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
Assist with planning, preparing and delivering engaging play opportunities in a safe and welcoming environment for children aged 4–11.
Roles and responsibilities include:
* Assisting with planning and delivering safe, fun and inclusive play activities.
* Supporting the Site Lead with the daily running of breakfast and after-school clubs.
* Collecting children from school and ensuring they are safely handed over to parents/carers.
* Setting up play spaces, including moving furniture and play equipment.
* Providing refreshments while maintaining hygiene and health and safety standards.
* Administering first aid where required.
* Encouraging children to take part in activities and supporting their wellbeing.
* Building positive relationships with children, parents and school staff.
* Following safeguarding, health and safety and club policies, including EYFS where relevant.
* Undertaking training and development as part of the apprenticeship programme.
* Maintaining a safe, secure and welcoming environment for all children.
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
* Station Road, Stonegate, Wadhurst, TN5 7EN
* 4 Warwick Way, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4AL
* Black Tiles Lane, Martlesham, Woodbridge, IP12 4SS
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD
Training course
Playworker (level 2)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
* Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
* Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
* Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
* Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
* Contribute to play audits.
* Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
* Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
* Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
* Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
* Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
* Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
* Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
* Contribute to health and safety checks.
* Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
* Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
* Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
* Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
* Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
* Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
* Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
* Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
* Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
* Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
* Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
* Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.
* Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
* Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
* Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
* Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
* Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
* Contribute to play audits.
* Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
* Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
* Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
* Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
* Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
* Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
* Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
* Contribute to health and safety checks.
* Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
* Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
* Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
* Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
* Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
* Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
* Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
* Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
* Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
* Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
* Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
* Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.
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.
More training information
Training will take place in the workplace while supporting breakfast and after-school club sessions, alongside online learning and tutor support provided by Educationwise Academy.
Functional Skills in English and maths may also be included if required.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
Other in:
any setting aged 4 to 11. (grade Children aged 4 to 11.)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade A*-C/4-9)
* Maths (grade A*-C/4-9)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Creative
* Initiative
* Patience
Other requirements
Essential:
* Applicants must be 18 or over due to Ofsted regulations.
* Experience working with children aged 4–11 (paid or voluntary).
* Ability to create safe, fun and inclusive play opportunities.
* Ability to work as part of a team and take direction from the Site Lead.
* Understanding of safeguarding processes and promoting children’s well-being.
* Enthusiasm, energy and passion for working with children.
* Reliable transport to attend morning and afternoon sessions.
Desirable:
* Level 2 qualification in childcare.
* Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene and Enhanced DBS certificates (or willingness to obtain).
* Basic IT skills.