Apprentice Educator

Busy Bees Nurseries Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 18,000 - GBP 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in the Greater London area seeks enthusiastic Early Years Apprentices. This role involves planning age-appropriate activities, building relationships with children and parents, and ensuring a high standard of care. Applicants should be passionate about childcare and have English and Maths qualifications. Enjoy a supportive workplace with many benefits, including competitive salary and ongoing development opportunities. Start your rewarding journey in Early Years today!

Benefits

Competitive salary

Ongoing training and career progression

Discounts on retail via Hive

Up to 28 days holiday

50% childcare discount

Workplace pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Must have been a UK resident for at least 3 consecutive years.
• Provide evidence of Maths and English achievements.
• A Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Passion for childcare

Enthusiasm

Ability to build relationships

Commitment to development

Education

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

Job description

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?

• 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’re 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

Busy Bees Wandsworth South Lambeth, rated Outstanding by Ofsted, accommodates 52 children and embraces a child-centred approach by implementing the Montessori pedagogy and philosophy. Our nursery follows children's interests and promotes high levels of independence, recognizing that each child learns at their own pace. Conveniently located parallel to Wandsworth Road behind the Pure Gym site and close to Larkhall Park, we are just a 10-minute walk from Stockwell and Vauxhall Tube stations (Northern and Victoria lines), with several bus routes stopping nearby. We provide complimentary lunches for our children and organize regular outings to local parks, the library, and Vauxhall Farm. Additionally, we offer weekly Spanish and music lessons, as well as Forest School sessions, enriching our children's learning experiences.

Busy Bees Benefits

• 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

• 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

Essential Criteria

• 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!