Playworker Apprentice

Summary

Are you passionate about working with children? Join us as a Play Worker Level 2 Apprentice! Gain hands-on experience while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

Wage

£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Playworker (level 2)

Hours

To be confirmed at interview stage.

30 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 May 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

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

Role Overview:

As a Play Worker Level 2 Apprentice, you will help deliver engaging, safe, and fun activities for children in our care. This hands-on role allows you to develop valuable skills while working towards a Level 2 Playwork qualification

Your Role in the Organisation:

You will support our mission to create safe, inspiring environments for children to learn, play, and grow. Working alongside experienced Play Workers, you’ll assist in running sessions, building relationships with children and families, and ensuring high-quality play experiences

Where You’ll Work:

Join our friendly playwork team based at Fairlawn Primary School, Sefton Park Infants and Juniors, and/or Horfield CofE
You'll collaborate with passionate colleagues dedicated to making a positive impact

Key Responsibilities:

Assist in planning and leading structured play activities that promote creativity, social skills, and physical development
Supervise children to ensure their safety and wellbeing
Set up and maintain clean, engaging play spaces
Support children of all abilities to feel included
Build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues
Learn and apply safeguarding policies
Complete on-the-job training and coursework for your Level 2 Playwork qualification

Reporting & Collaboration:

Reports to: Supervisor or venue lead, who will oversee training and daily guidance
Works with: Play Workers, children, families, and site coordinators to ensure smooth activity deliver
Why Join Us?
Earn While You Learn: £6.40 - £9.50 per hour, increasing to the national minimum wage after one year
Flexible Hours: 16 to 30 hours per week
Great Benefits: Company events, pension, sick pay, and a supportive team

Who We’re Looking For:

Passion for working with children and a positive attitude
Willingness to learn and grow in a team environment
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Commitment to safeguarding and children’s wellbeing
No prior experience required - just enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference!
Kickstart your career in playwork with hands-on training, mentorship, and a rewarding role where you can help children thrive

Where you’ll work

Bishop Manor Road
Westbury-On-Trym
Bristol
BS10 5BD

Training

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

College or training organisation

THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD

Your training course

Playworker (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
Contribute to play audits.
Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
Contribute to health and safety checks.
Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.
Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
Contribute to play audits.
Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
Contribute to health and safety checks.
Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.

Your training plan

The training will consist of online learning, webinars, practical sessions and workplace visits
On completion you will achieve a Level 2 Playworker qualification and Functional Skills if needed

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths (grade A*-C/4-9)
English (grade A*-C/4-9)

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
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

The salary range will be discussed at the interview stage and will depend on experience and qualifications. Driving licence is desirable, but not essential, as long as you can travel as required for the business needs.

About this company

We are a sports coaching provider that deliver PE & sports within schools, community programmes & oliday camps.

After this apprenticeship

Teaching assistant apprenticeship
Skill teacher apprenticeship
Team leader apprenticeship
Operations manager apprenticeship
Full/part time play working role

Ask a question

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