Childcare Assistant Apprentice

Location: Hill Avenue, Grantham (NG31 9BB)
Salary: £15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7-hour shifts between 7.30am and 6pm. Term Time Only (39 weeks per year). 37 hours a week
Start date: Monday 9 November 2026
Duration: 1 year 4 months
Positions available: 2

Summary

You will be required to work in the classroom areas under the supervision of the Teachers, Room Leaders and Childcare Assistants. This is a genuine opportunity to work within a high-quality maintained nursery school and could be the stepping stone for a future career in teaching or further into Early Years roles.

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

• Supporting children on a one-to-one basis, in small groups or as part of a full class
• Getting creative in helping children to achieve their developmental steps
• Assisting with breakfast/lunchtime/after school clubs
• Helping with assessments and inputting of data
• Changing children as required and after training
• Administering basic first aid after training
• Organising and resourcing and keeping storage areas and the classroom tidy
• Assisting in planning and creating inspiring learning environments
• Preparing simple, healthy snacks
• Developing over time into a key person role
• Working inside and outside
• Contributing to planning and assessment
• Any other duties which are relevant to the smooth running of the nursery as directed by the Head of School or members of staff

Training

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

Training provider

CT SKILLS LIMITED

Training course

Early years practitioner (level 2)

Course contents

• Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events.
• Recognise when a child is in danger, at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to be followed to protect them.
• Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off site visits relating to both children and staff and visitors and follow reporting procedures.
• Use prevention and control of infection techniques for hand washing and food preparation and hygiene, deal with spillages safely, safe disposal of waste, using correct personal protective equipment.
• Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following the manufacturers’ instructions and provision’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 the provision by encouraging babies and young children to consume healthy, balanced and nutritious 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 or complementary feeding), nappy changing procedures, potty or toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair and rest and sleep provision.
• Communicate with all children, including those for whom English is an additional language and those with additional needs, in ways that will be understood.
• 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 appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
• Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes 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, share results accurately and confidentially in line with expected statutory and the provision’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 graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing 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 and mentoring 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 or carers and recognise their role in the baby or child’s health, well-being, learning and development.
• Encourage parents or carers to take an active role in the baby's or child’s care, play, learning and development.
• Demonstrate how to share information with parents or carers about the importance of healthy, balanced and nutritious diets for their child, looking after teeth and being physically active.