Apprentice Educator

Busy Bees In Portishead; Colchester; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in Colchester is seeking passionate Early Years Apprentices to begin their career in childcare. You will receive dedicated support and mentoring while planning engaging activities. Ideal candidates should have a strong passion for working with children, while evidence of Maths and English achievements is essential. Enjoy benefits such as 50% childcare discount and up to 28 days holiday. Join a supportive team and make a real difference in children's lives.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Up to 28 days holiday

50% childcare discount

Ongoing training and career progression

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Must be passionate about starting a career in Early Years.
• Evidence of Maths and English achievements is required.
• Desirable: A Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver age-appropriate activities following EYFS.
• Provide high-quality childcare and positive learning experiences.
• Build strong relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.

Skills

Passion for childcare

Ability to build relationships

Enthusiasm and curiosity

Education

GCSE Maths and English grade 3/D or above or Level 2 Functional Skills

Job description

Overview

Join Our Busy Bees Family – Start Your Career in Early Years Today!

Are you passionate about working with children and ready to begin a rewarding career in the Early Years sector? At Busy Bees, the UK’s leading nursery group, we’re looking for enthusiastic, caring individuals to join us as Early Years Apprentices.

Whether you’re taking your first step into childcare or looking to grow your skills, this is your chance to learn, develop, and make a real difference every day.

Why Choose a Busy Bees Apprenticeship?

As an Apprentice, you will:

• Work alongside experienced, inspiring Early Years professionals
• Receive dedicated support and mentoring throughout your qualification
• Take part in bespoke Learning & Development courses
• Be regularly visited by your Development Coach for feedback and guidance
• Gain the skills, confidence, and experience needed for a long-term career in childcare

Our apprentices are valued members of the team — you won\'t just be watching; you will be learning, contributing, and growing from day one!

Why Busy Bees?

At Busy Bees, we\u2019re proud to be the UK’s leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries nationwide and more around the world. Our mission is simple: to give every child the very best start in life. We’ve also been recognised for our positive workplace culture, and we’re committed to making sure every team member feels valued, supported, and listened to.

You’ll also experience:

• Our award‑winning Bee Curious curriculum - designed to spark imagination, confidence, and a love of learning in every child.
• A workplace culture where every team member feels valued and supported
• Opportunities to get involved in our charity partnership with BBC Children in Need

About our Nursery

Join our dedicated team at Busy Bees in Colchester Stanway, an Ofsted-rated Good nursery with a capacity of 103 children. Our large center boasts a longstanding senior team and beautifully designed garden areas tailored for each age group, providing a nurturing outdoor environment for exploration and play. Conveniently located near the A12, A120, and mainline train routes, we have easy access to Colchester town and surrounding villages via local bus routes. Additionally, we offer free parking for our staff, making it a great opportunity to advance your career in early childhood education within a supportive and vibrant community.

Busy Bees Benefits

We offer a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing training and career progression
• Access to our Hive benefits and wellbeing platform - with discounts across a huge range of retailers
• Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
• Your birthday off — our gift to you!
• 50% childcare discount
• Enhanced family leave and return‑to‑work bonus
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial guidance through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme & Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Workplace pension with Cushon
• Option for discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

Your responsibilities and expectations

As an apprentice, you will:

• Help plan and deliver exciting, age-appropriate activities following the EYFS framework
• Support the team to provide high-quality childcare and positive learning experiences for all children
• Build strong, supportive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues
• Ensure children’s individual needs are understood and met
• Contribute to the safeguarding of all children
• Work proactively toward completing your apprenticeship provided by Busy Bees Education and Training within the expected timeframe
• Show enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment to your own development
• Show an enthusiastic, proactive, and open approach to learning new skills every day
• Provide your line Manager with regular information about the activities and progress within the room

Essential Criteria

To apply, you must:

• Be passionate about childcare and motivated to start a career in Early Years
• To meet funding eligibility, you must have been a resident in the UK for at least the 3 consecutive years
• Be able to provide evidence of Maths and English achievements (GCSE Maths and English grade 3/D or above or Level 2 Functional Skills)

Desirable Criteria (not essential)

• A Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification

Start your future in Early Years with a team that truly believes in you. Apply now and begin your Busy Bees journey!