Forest Schools Early Years Apprentice

BOWS AND ARROWS LTD

IPSWICH (IP1 6LW)

Closes today at 11:59pm

Posted on 27 February 2025


Summary

Someone active who loves the outdoors and doesn’t mind getting muddy? Passionate about supporting children to become capable, confident individuals? Looking to earn while you learn? If so, an Apprenticeship with Bows & Arrows Group could be just the path for you. We are looking for an apprentice to join our Forest Schools Team!

Wage
£11,778 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Please note this salary is pro-rata for term time only which is 38 weeks a year.

Training course
Early years practitioner (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday with shifts that may start at 8.00am or end at 6.00pm. This is a Term Time role (38 weeks of the year)

30 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 7 April

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

You will be responsible for supporting children aged 3&4 years old at our Forest School program, which runs for all of our Bows & Arrows sites which are located across Ipswich.

Going to a different site each day you will:

  • Support our team of Forest School leaders either by walking or taking a coach to different woodland spaces such as Bridgewood and Suffolk Rural
  • Supporting the Forest School Leaders with outdoor activities with groups of pre-school aged children
  • Support children with conducting their learning fully outside whether it be through den building, making fires, using tools or simply enjoying all that the outdoors offers

This is a unique opportunity for you to learn and gain an Early Years qualification but specifically practicing in an outdoor provision.

Where you’ll work

61 WHITTON CHURCH LANE
IPSWICH
IP1 6LW

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE

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

  • Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard
  • English and maths Level 2 (if required)

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • or equivalent English (grade 4)
  • or equivalent Maths (grade 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
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • A passion for outdoors
  • A passion for Early Years
  • Reliable
  • Punctual
  • Keen to learn

Other requirements

We take very seriously our responsibilities towards safeguarding the children in our care and all successful applicants will be subject to referencing and enhanced DBS checks. You will need to travel to a different 'starting base' each day which will be one of our nursery sites. The locations can be found on our website: www.bowsandarrowsgroup.co.uk therefore access to own transport would be desirable.

About this company

We are a Charity which owns 7 Children’s Nurseries across Ipswich: Wigwams, Buttons and Bows, Ravenswood Nursery, Wellington, The Nest, Little Learners and Forest Learners. With over 10 years proven experience, we pride ourselves on offering the very best care for young children. Our High Quality care, has been recognised by Ofsted and as a result FIVE of our Nurseries are rated as ‘OUTSTANDING IN ALL AREAS ‘. We offer education and care to children aged up to 5 years old, with opening hours that suit working families. We are here to advocate children, care for families and provide exceptional early years education.

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

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • There are excellent prospects for permanent employment as an Early Years Educator after qualification

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE

Natasha Stead

apprenticeshipapplication@suffolk.ac.uk

01473 382600

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000306419.

Apply now

Closes today at 11:59pm

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