Puffins Training- Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Starting July 2025

Summary

Puffins of Exeter are looking for an Early Years Practitioner Apprentice to help provide high-quality childcare. Puffins consists of 5 nurseries and are open Monday - Friday 7.30am - 6.00pm. You will receive benefits including, free uniform, free breakfast, discounts for high street and online brands, opportunities for career growth and development.

Annual wage: £9,984 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Early years practitioner (level 2)
Hours: Monday - Friday between the hours of 7.30am - 6.00pm. Shifts will vary.
30 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 28 July
Duration: 1 Year 3 Months
Positions available: 10

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Puffins of Exeter ethos is simple we put the care and education of children at the heart of everything we do.

During this apprenticeship you will learn how to meet the requirements set by the government for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 in both indoor and outdoor environments.

This will be carried out by:

3 Days a week at placement in one of our nurseries
1 Day a week at our training centre

We have 5 locations in and around Exeter: EX1 2PD, EX2 4NP, EX1 1NT, EX2 7FB, EX2 7EY.

Your role and responsibilities will be set by Puffins of Exeter and will include:

Support practitioners and educators in the setting to carry out their roles
Care for children from ages 0-5 years old
Work as apart of a team and support in carrying out activities, games and stories for all ages
Support in creating a stimulating environment for children across all ages
Adhere to policies and procedures, complete relevant paperwork and children observations
Develop your skills both on and off the job with support in the work placement

Where you’ll work

13 MONT LE GRAND

EXETER

EX1 2PD

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

SOUTH WEST ASSOCIATION OF TRAINING PROVIDERS LIMITED

Your training course

Early years practitioner (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Support babies and young children through a range of transitions.e.g moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling

Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them. Types of abuse including: domestic, neglect , physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

Identify risks and hazards in the work setting and during off site visits.relating to both children and staff

Demonstrate skills and understanding for the prevention and control of infection, including hand washing, food preparation and hygiene, dealing with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.

Use equipment, furniture and materials safely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and setting’s requirements.

Encourage children to be aware of personal safety and the safety of others and develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).

Promote health and wellbeing in settings by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy and balanced meals, snacks and drinks appropriate for their age and be physically active through planned and spontaneous activity throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.

Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the development, stage, dignity and needs of the child, including eating (feeding and weaning/complimentary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty/toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.

Communicate with all children in ways that will be understood, including verbal and non-verbal communication.

Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non-verbal communication.

Encourage babies and young children to use a range of communication methods.

Use a range of communication methods to exchange information with children and adults.

Work with colleagues to identify and plan enabling environments, activities (both indoors and outdoors), play opportunities and educational programmes (both adult led and child initiated) to support children’s holistic development through a range of play, creativity, social development and learning.

Implement and review activities to support children’s play, creativity, social development and learning and clear up after activities.

Observe children, assess, plan and record the outcomes, sharing results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory framework and setting’s requirements.

Use learning activities to support early language development.

Support children’s early interest and development in mark making, writing, reading and being read to.

Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, number patterns, counting, sorting and matching.

Support the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing (the graduated approach) of each baby’s and young child's individual plan for their care and participation.

Work in ways that value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.

Use feedback, mentoring and/or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.

Work co-operatively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of babies and young children and enable them to progress.

Work alongside parents and/or carers and recognise their role in the baby’s/child’s health, well-being, learning and development.

Encourage parents and/or carers to take an active role in the baby’s/child’s care, play, learning and development.

Demonstrate how to share information with parents/carers about the importance of healthy balanced diets, looking after teeth and being physically active.