Apprentice Early Years Practitioner

Summary

Join a dynamic team delivering high-quality childcare and an engaging Early Years curriculum, supporting children’s holistic development and helping to shape their futures while gaining valuable experience in a nurturing and professional environment.

Wage

£23,656 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Hourly rate: £12.26 per hour (Leeds Living Wage)

Training course

Early years practitioner (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday. Term time only and all year round posts are available dependent on centre. Start and End times: Early and late shifts form part of the normal working pattern (8am to 6pm working shift pattern, 7.5 hours per day).

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 5 May

Duration

1 year 5 months

Positions available

12

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

To support the team to provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
To support the team to provide a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum that will meet the requirements of relevant national and local standards.
To learn how to follow Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and implement that learning in the workplace.
To learn to observe and monitor children’s development and contribute to written reports of their progress and to implement that learning in the workplace.
To maintain client confidentiality.
To report any injury or accident ensuring that health and safety of the individual is maintained.
To follow the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury complying with Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (West Yorkshire Consortium Procedure Manual).
To refer parents and families for support where necessary.
If necessary, to take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
To support the team to provide educational visits for children and families, observing Health and Safety policies.
To understand and support Leeds City Council and Departmental Policies including these on Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety.
To undertake other duties commensurate to the post or grade as required by the Department.
To undertake the accountabilities of the post in accordance with Council policies including the Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety policies.

Where you’ll work

Merrion House

110 Merrion Centre

Leeds

LS2 8BB

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

LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP

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.
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.

Your training plan

Mode of delivery: Once a month day release in college.

Course content:

The Level 2 Apprenticeship is delivered in partnership with your workplace. You will attend college one day per month to gain knowledge and understanding of working in the early years sector.
On-the-job training will help you develop practical skills, with support from a dedicated workplace mentor. Additionally, an Assessor from Leeds City College will visit regularly to guide and support you throughout your learning journey.

The Apprenticeship framework comprises of:

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner.

Functional Skills qualifications:

Level 1 Functional Skill in English.
Level 1 Functional Skill in Maths.

End point assessment:

Multiple choice Exam.
Professional discussion.

More training information

Additional Requirement: If you have a GCSE C / 4 or above in one of the English and Maths subjects and not the other, you will be expected to achieve it in college as part of your apprenticeship.

Initial Stage: Acceptance is contingent upon a college interview and initial assessment.

Final Stage: If successful, you will be invited to attend a panel interview with Little Owls.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade C / 4)
Maths (grade C / 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness
Commitment
Trustworthy and reliable
Punctual and hardworking

Other requirements

There are a number apprenticeship opportunities available at centres throughout the city, candidates can indicate their preferred location in Question 1 of the application form. Locations include: • Harehills x 1 (AYR) • Osmondthorpe x 1 (AYR) • Middleton Laurel Bank x 1 (AYR) • Two Willows x 1 (AYR) • Shepherds Lane x 1 (AYR) • Hunslet Rylestone x 1 (AYR) • Parklands x 1 (AYR) • Chapeltown x 1 (AYR) • Burley x 1 (AYR or TTO) • Seacroft x 1 (AYR or TTO) • Hawksworth x 1 (AYR or TTO) • City & Holbeck x 1 (TTO) Please leave your prefer locations in Question 1 below. The post holder will work from a single or two storey building in a residential area. Leeds City Council operates a non-smoking policy. There will be regular lifting and handling of children. There will be regular Lifting and moving of play equipment. The post holder will be required to kneel, sit on the floor or bend down to low levels in order to effectively interact with children.

About this company

Leeds City Council's Little Owls Nurseries are a network of day care centres for children aged 3 months to 5 years. The nurseries are owned and run by the council and are committed to providing a high standard of care and education. The Local Authority has been operating childcare for more than 20 years and is highly committed to the apprenticeship programme. The entry-level position of Apprentice Childcare Assistant is designed to give applicants an opportunity to gain experience working in childcare while studying for a Level 2 qualification. At the end of the apprenticeship programme, ‘graduating apprentices’ will be guaranteed an interview for the post of Nursery Assistant, and it is expected that successful applicants will go on to work in settings across Leeds with potential opportunities for advancement to Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeships. Little Owls Nurseries serve local communities and are linked to children’s centres. For this reason, they are different from private and voluntary sector day care. Little Owls Nurseries provide services to a wider range of families, including working parents, children with special educational needs and disabilities, and some of the most vulnerable in Leeds due to their location, mostly in inner-city communities.

https://www.littleowlsleeds.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

We have lots of opportunities for progression depending on the successful candidates’ abilities as they progress through their qualifications e.g.

Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3.
Safeguarding Support Officer Apprenticeship Level 3.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP

Leeds City College - Apprenticeship Team

apprenticeships@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

01132846464

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000299626.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Monday 17 February at 11:59pm)

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