Early Years Apprentice

Reports to

Head of Room / Apprentice Mentor

Our mission

To provide exceptional early years care in a safe, nurturing and fulfilling environment whilst inspiring children to unlock their full potential through key skills and values which will establish them as gifted citizens of the world.

Our vision

To be a nursery where teaching is fun, and learning is easy.

Our values

We are caring

We are kind, gentle, calm, and welcoming. We respect the children, each other, and our environment. We teach the children and are ready to listen and learn from them. We build trusting, supportive, and non-discriminatory relationships in the best interests of the child. We have sensitive, responsive, and expressive interactions between practitioner and children. We celebrate each child’s unique perspective and take children seriously as active and competent members of society.

We are energetic

We play, learn, and laugh together, spending time outdoors and encouraging children to be active, confident, and joyful participants. We provide experiences which inspire creativity and nurture curiosity, enabling children to be independent, resilient, and successful. We grow, eat, and cook together, building skills for a healthy future.

We are innovative

We uphold traditional theories and pedagogies, but constantly review, research, and reflect. We listen to ideas and are ready to embrace them. We are proud to be leaders in progressive childcare.

Your duties

Childcare & Education

  • Be a reliable member of a team, working cooperatively and with flexibility, contributing positively
  • to the development of the team environment.
  • Work within the EYFS principles, adhere to and positively promote Snapdragons Nurseries policies
  • and procedures.
  • Treat each child as an individual and have a general understanding of childcare and child development.
  • Observe each child’s progress and report on interests and achievements, looking for progression
  • and continuity.
  • Share information about children’s achievements and play with room staff.
  • Develop positive and trusting relationships with children, parents, carers, staff and outside agencies.
  • Assist with the supervision of children at play (indoor and outdoor), at rest and at mealtimes.
  • Interact with children in an appropriate and structured way.
  • Play alongside and with children to support their play.
  • Under the guidance of the room leader and following the guidelines of the EYFS framework and nursery policy, assist with planning activities.
  • Offer ideas and suggestions about activities and opportunities for children’s play.
  • Under the guidance of the room leader, assist with the creation of an enabling and attractive
  • environment.
  • Learn how to set up resources and activities in a way that is stimulating and excitingly presented for children.
  • Ensure that the play area is clean and tidy at all times.
  • Strictly adhere to the agreed nursery behaviour management policy and procedures, promoting positive behaviour at all times.
  • Ensure that the designated member of staff for safeguarding or manager, is aware of any incidents affecting the welfare of the children in your care.
  • Commit to developing and maintaining a multicultural, anti-racist, non-sexist environment respecting the children’s individual differences and diversity.

Health & Safety

  • Share responsibility for safeguarding all children.
  • Ensure compliance with safeguarding procedures and when necessary follow these whilst keeping children safe, alerting the safeguarding officer of any concerns you may have, e.g. illness, neglect, apparently non-accidental injury, behaviour of staff member towards a child.
  • Work as part of a team to ensure the building and equipment indoors and out is in a safe and clean condition, reporting any faults to your room leader.
  • Ensure the general cleanliness of the children at all times.
  • Operate the highest standard of hygiene and cleanliness in the nappy changing / toilet area and food areas.
  • Be familiar with all emergency and security procedures e.g. fire drill, drop off and collection routines.
  • During snack and mealtimes ensure all children are supervised and that, by following nursery procedures around dietary requirements, needs are met.
  • Report all accidents and incidents to the room leader or nursery manager and be aware of all risk assessments within the nursery.

General

  • Respect and maintain confidentiality of all information received.
  • Undertake the apprenticeship training.
  • Develop your knowledge and understanding of child development, observations and how to use information from observations to plan interesting activities that help children to develop their skills, knowledge and enjoyment.
  • Attend company training programmes and staff meetings deemed necessary by the manager.
  • Attend Company events, including parents’ evenings as is reasonably required.

What you need

Essential

  • Enhanced DBS
  • Aged 16 or over
  • Ability to engage with colleagues and parents
  • A willingness to undertake relevant further training as and when required
  • Good communication skills both written and verbal
  • Ability to engage and interact positively with children
  • Able to follow instructions and work using own initiative as necessary
  • Reliable, responsible, trustworthy and motivated
  • Commitment to safeguarding children at all times
  • Be committed to completing the apprenticeship and gaining a qualification

Desirable

  • Experience of working with children 0 - 5 years
  • GCSE 4+ in English and Maths (A – C)
  • Paediatric First Aid Training (12 hours)
  • Foundation Safeguarding Awareness Training