Rainbow Friends Childcare

Barking (IG11 7SQ)
Posted on 2 October 2026
Closes on Saturday 12 December 2026

Summary

You will support the team in providing a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can learn, play and thrive. Working alongside experienced practitioners, you will gain hands-on experience in planning activities, supporting children's development, promoting positive behaviour and meeting children's individual needs.

Wage
£8,320 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices [Minimum wage rates](opens in new tab)

Training course
Early years practitioner (level 2)
Hours
Monday- Thursday. 20 hours a week
Start date
Sunday 13 December 2026
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.

Key Responsibilities – Early Years Apprentice

• Support the daily care, learning and development of children aged 0–5 years
• Assist in planning and delivering fun, engaging and age-appropriate activities
• Help create a safe, happy, welcoming and stimulating environment for all children
• Support children's personal, social, emotional and physical development
• Assist with daily routines, including mealtimes, nappy changing, toileting, sleep times and personal hygiene, as appropriate
• Build positive and nurturing relationships with children, parents, carers and colleagues
• Encourage positive behaviour, independence, confidence and social skills
• Observe children's play and development and contribute to their learning records
• Support children with individual needs and ensure every child feels included and valued
• Follow safeguarding, health and safety, hygiene and nursery policies and procedures

Where you'll work
5 Drydock Square
Barking
IG11 7SQ

Training

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

Training provider
THELIGHTBULB LTD

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.