Apprentice Early Years Educator

Cheshire College - South & West; Knutsford; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A national education provider is offering a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Early Years Education in Knutsford. You will engage directly with children, fostering their learning through play while receiving structured training from qualified mentors. The ideal candidate should be friendly and eager to learn, with GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade 4 or above. Once completed, the apprenticeship could lead to permanent employment or further qualifications. Competitive salary based on age and regular reviews for fairness.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Scheme to purchase additional annual leave

Bonus for reliable attendance

Qualifications

• You will need to build positive relationships with children and staff.
• Passing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required.

Responsibilities

• Help with the daily routine and care of children.
• Interact with children to support their learning and development.
• Prepare resources and set up activities under guidance.
• Maintain electronic records and observations of child development.

Skills

Friendly attitude

Eager to learn

Education

GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4 or above

GCSE grades A-C (9-4) or equivalent

Job description

Closes in 19 days (Monday 5 January 2026 at 11:59pm)

We are offering the opportunity for someone to complete a national apprenticeship with Elmscot Group. We offer training to our staff and an in‑house mentor to support you through your training. Highly trained professionals play a key role in ensuring that young children learn, develop well and are kept healthy and safe.

Wage

£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Hours

Between the hours of 7:30am and 6pm. Monday to Friday. Apprentices under the age of 18 are only able to work 8 hours per day. There is a 1‑hour lunch break which is unpaid. 40 hours a week

Monday 19 January 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

In our setting we foster the ‘in the moment’ style of learning and encourage all children to learn through play. A nursery apprentice will support the children in the daily routine. This will include:

• Help with the daily routine and care of the children in your assigned department and across the setting as a whole.
• Interact with the children to support the children’s learning and development in an age/stage appropriate way.
• Prepare resources under the guidance of colleagues.
• Set‑up activities both inside and outside under the direction of colleagues.
• Undertake daily housekeeping jobs as required.
• Electronic record keeping and supporting child development observations.

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

• Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy.
• Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries and emergencies).
• Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
• Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety.
• Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child.
• Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
• Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person.
• Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children.
• Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
• Advocate for all children’s needs, including children who require SEND or EAL support.
• Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships.
• Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
• Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
• Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child‑centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
• Create inclusive, child‑centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.

In‑house training plus the candidate will follow a Level 3 Apprenticeship programme and study towards a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. This training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College – South & West.

If the candidate does not hold GCSE grades A‑C (9‑4) or equivalent, they will be required to complete a Level 2 Functional Skill in the relevant subject.

Requirements

GCSE in

Skills

• Friendly attitude
• Eager to learn

Other requirements

An apprentice will build positive relationships with the children, staff, families and external agencies. Passing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. You will need GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4 or above, or Functional Skills will be required.

About this employer

Elmscot Group Day Nurseries care for children aged from six weeks to five years in very safe, homely environments. We have nurseries located across Cheshire in Hale, Altrincham, Timperley, Sale, Knutsford and Chester. Poppies Day Nursery can be found on Sugar Pit Lane, just a short walk from the heart of Knutsford. It is situated within a beautiful converted building packed with original features. The bright open rooms create the perfect environment.

We offer competitive salaries and regularly review them to ensure they are fair.
Scheme to purchase additional AL
Bonus annual leave for reliable attendance, long service and Christmas shopping.

After this apprenticeship

Permanent employment or progression to a higher apprenticeship if successfully completed.

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000004233.

Apply now

Closes in 19 days (Monday 5 January 2026 at 11:59pm)

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