Early Years Apprentice

As an apprentice, you would not only be a valued member of the Early Years team, but also a key contributor in ensuring that children receive the very best start to their education. You will be fully integrated into daily practice: attending training, working with children and helping prepare the learning environment and resources.

Requirements

• Undertake any appropriate training provided by the Trust to assist in carrying out duties.
• Contribute to the protection of children and vulnerable adults, reporting any issues or concerns to their immediate line manager.
• Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the work place, ensuring adherence to the Health & Safety at Work Act, COSHH, and all other mandatory regulations.
• Carry out duties with full regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work Policy.
• An Enhanced Disclosure with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be undertaken before any appointment can be confirmed.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and implementing educational activities that promote children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development.
• Support the development of extra-curricular activities such as lunch and after school clubs.
• Be effective in time management to ensure coursework is kept up to date and seek support from colleagues where appropriate.
• Encourage children to engage in both structured and unstructured play activities that enhance creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Recognise and support the individual needs of each child, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Develop positive relationships with parents and carers, providing regular updates on their child’s progress and development.
• Work collaboratively with other team members to provide a cohesive learning environment.
• Assist in preparing materials and resources for activities, as well as setting up and tidying the learning environment.
• Oversee children during outdoor play, ensuring safety and engagement in physical activities.
• Help children with creative projects, ensuring materials are used safely.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of the setting, as well as the statutory framework of the EYFS.
• Undertake specialist training, studying to gain professional knowledge and skills.
• Recognise when a child or colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure.
• Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children (e.g., food safety, diets, allergies, COSHH, accidents, injuries, and emergencies).
• Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice.
• Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others' safety.
• Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet individual child needs.
• Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
• Undertake the role and responsibilities of a key person.
• Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children.
• Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years.
• Advocate for all children’s needs, including those requiring SEND or EAL support.
• Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop social interactions and relationships.
• Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture.
• Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours.
• Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements.
• Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors.
• Create inclusive and supportive emotional environments that enable children to feel safe, secure, respected, and experience a sense of wellbeing, maintaining and prioritising the child’s voice.
• Apply strategies that support children’s ability to manage change, transition, and significant events.
• Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs and interests.
• Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
• Provide adult-led opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
• Use reflection to develop professionally and personally.