Level 2 Playworker Apprenticeship

Being an apprentice at NextStep Training

Being an apprentice at NextStep Training means earning while you learn, gaining hands-on experience and industry-recognised qualifications. You'll receive expert training, personalised support, and a clear pathway to career progression. Enjoy discounted travel, exclusive discounts at over 350 retailers and reduced council tax.

Wage

£8,320 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices Minimum wage rates

Training course

Playworker (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday, working hours TBC. 20 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 2026

Duration

1 year

Positions available

2

What you'll do at work

• Assist in planning and delivering engaging, age-appropriate activities
• Promote learning through play in line with the framework
• Create a safe and stimulating environment
• Help maintain clean, safe, and welcoming learning spaces
• Follow safeguarding and health & safety procedures at all times
• Observe and monitor children's progress
• Record observations and contribute to assessments and development plans
• Share relevant information with senior staff and parents as needed
• Promote positive behaviour and social skills
• Encourage kindness, sharing, and respectful behaviour
• Use positive reinforcement and model appropriate conduct
• Assist with daily routines
• Support children during mealtimes, toileting, dressing, and nap times
• Help establish consistent routines for comfort and stability
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and parents
• Communicate effectively with team members, children, and families
• Participate in staff meetings and training sessions
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and follow data protection policies
• Follow nursery/setting policies and procedures
• Adhere to guidelines for safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and diversity
• Support in ensuring the setting meets regulatory and quality standards

Where you'll work

105 New Cross Road London SE14 5DJ

Training

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

Training provider

NEXTSTEP TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Playworker (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels

What you'll learn

• Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
• Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
• Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
• Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
• Contribute to play audits.
• Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
• Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
• Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
• Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
• Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
• Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
• Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
• Contribute to health and safety checks.
• Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
• Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
• Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
• Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
• Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
• Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
• Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
• Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
• Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
• Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
• Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
• Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.
• Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
• Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
• Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
• Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
• Contribute to play audits.
• Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
• Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
• Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
• Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
• Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
• Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
• Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
• Contribute to health and safety checks.
• Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
• Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
• Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
• Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
• Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
• Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
• Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
• Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
• Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
• Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
• Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
• Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.