Early Years Apprenticeship

Caterpillar Day Nursery

Location: Market Harborough (LE16 9HF)
Closing Date: 8 days (Friday 16 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on: 16 September 2026

Summary

Join Caterpillar Day Nursery as a Full-Time Early Years Apprentice. Gain valuable experience supporting children's learning and development while working towards a recognised qualification in a nurturing and supportive nursery environment.

Wage: £16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Competitive apprenticeship salary, with reviews based on performance and progression.
Ongoing support and mentoring from experienced Early Years professionals.
Opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification while earning.
Friendly and supportive team environment.
Potential for future career progression within the nursery upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Training

Course: Early years educator (level 3)
Hours: This role is based within the 2.5 to 3.5-year-old age group and is a full-time position (40 hours per week).
Exact working days and hours TBC.
40 hours a week
Start date: Monday 26 October 2026
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 1

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:

• Support children’s learning, development and wellbeing through play-based activities
• Assist with planning and delivering engaging age-appropriate activities
• Help create a safe, clean and stimulating learning environment
• Support children with daily routines, including mealtimes and personal care
• Build positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues
• Observe and record children’s progress with guidance from experienced staff
• Promote safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies at all times
• Assist with indoor and outdoor learning experiences
• Develop knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework
• Work towards a recognised Early Years qualification while training on the job

Where you'll work:
88 NORTHAMPTON ROAD
MARKET HARBOROUGH
LE16 9HF

Training

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

Training provider: BEST PRACTICE NETWORK LIMITED
Training course: Early years educator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn:

• Recognise when a child or a 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 in the setting.
• 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 the individual needs of the child.
• Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child.
• Undertake the role and responsibilities of 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 children which require SEND or EAL support.
• Promote and facilitate children’s interpersonal communication to develop their 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 environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual 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 experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy.
• Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally.