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Apprentice Nursery Practitioner

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Job Description
The Role:
As an Apprentice Nursery Practitioner at Next Steps Nursery, you will embark on a rewarding journey to gain the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to qualify as a Level 3 Nursery Practitioner. You will play a vital role in creating a high-quality, caring, and stimulating environment where children can flourish emotionally, socially, and educationally. Working as part of an encouraging team, you will provide individual attention and lead engaging group activities to ensure every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn. Dedicated time during your working hours will be provided to help you complete your college assignments.
What You'll Take On:
Under the guidance and supervision of the Nursery Manager and experienced team members, you will:
- Work under supervision to provide all aspects of day-to-day care for young children, ensuring an inclusive environment that caters to individual needs, backgrounds, and developmental stages.
- Gain practical experience with the Nursery curriculum and Development Matters, building an awareness of purposeful early years planning.
- Learn and undertake the key person role, building strong interactions with children and keeping accurate developmental records.
- Work collaboratively alongside staff, maintain exceptional standards of hygiene and cleanliness, and adhere strictly to nursery policies, health and safety, and emergency procedures.
- Build confident, positive relationships with parents and carers to help children reach their full potential.
- Attend all mandatory training, submit college coursework on time, and maintain a proactive, enthusiastic attitude toward your professional development.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What You'll Bring:
We are looking for someone passionate about early years education who aligns with our core company values: customer focus, impact, innovation, respect, integrity, openness, and growth.
- A genuine interest in childcare is essential. Prior experience working with children under five and qualifications in Maths and English are preferred.
- Confident in communicating with children, colleagues, parents, and carers with zero ego and a collaborative mindset.
- Highly organized, proactive, and self-motivated with excellent time-keeping skills and the ability to work independently.
- Able to stay calm under pressure, use your initiative, and maintain high standards of health and safety at all times.
- A genuine passion for early years development and a commitment to personal growth and continuous learning.
Benefits
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
- Attendance bonus
- Sharesave scheme
- On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
- Early VIP access to sale stock
- Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
- Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
- Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
- Free on-site parking
- Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
- Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
- Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
- Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
- Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more


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Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.
About The Team
- 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
- Company performance based bonus
- Sharesave scheme
- On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
- 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
- Early VIP access to sale stock
- Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
- Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
- Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
- Free on-site parking
- Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
- Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
- Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
- Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
- Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
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