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Level 3 Nursery Practitioner Apprentice
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Blue Orkids Ltd Nursery Practitioner Apprentices
Blue Orkids Ltd are looking for eight motivated and enthusiastic Nursery Practitioner Apprentices to join their teams in the Queens Park, Wootton, Putnoe and Goldington areas (two placements for each nursery).
Wage: £7,280 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 educator (level 3)
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 8:30am to 4:00pm/Wednesday 8:30am to 12:30pm or Wednesday 12:30pm to 4:00pm/Thursday and Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm (30 minute unpaid lunch break). 17 hours 30 minutes a week
Start date: Monday 10 August 2026
Duration: 1 year 9 months
Positions available: 2
What you'll do at work
Blue Orkids are a 60 place nursery, supporting babies and children from 3 months to 5 years. They pride themselves in delivering excellent care and early education with the children at the centre of everything that they do. Their promise is to support every child as individuals.
They are looking for motivated and caring individuals to join their friendly team. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience while supporting children's learning, development, and wellbeing in a nurturing environment.
As part of the role, you will work closely with colleagues to provide high-quality childcare and education, building positive relationships with children, parents, and carers. You will help create and deliver engaging activities that meet the individual needs and interests of the children in your care, while supporting their learning and development through accurate observations and learning journey records.
You will be responsible for following all safeguarding procedures to ensure children remain safe, secure, and well cared for at all times. Maintaining confidentiality and adhering to nursery policies and procedures will be essential aspects of the role.
The successful candidates will work in partnership with parents and family members, sharing information about children's progress and supporting effective communication between home and nursery. You will also contribute positively to the staff team, working alongside the Nursery Manager and colleagues to achieve the nursery's vision and maintain a welcoming and supportive environment.
Flexibility is important within this role, as you may be required to assist with a range of nursery duties, including preparing snacks and meals, cleaning equipment, recording accidents using the nursery's designated system, and ensuring children are collected only by authorised adults.
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You will be expected to participate in training, staff meetings, parents' evenings, fundraising events, and other activities that support the ongoing development of the nursery and its team.
If you are enthusiastic about early years education, eager to learn, and committed to providing outstanding care for children, they would love to hear from you.
Where you'll work
Marlborough Road
MK40 4LE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BEDFORD COLLEGE
Training course
Early years educator (level 3)
[Understanding apprenticeship levels](opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents:
- 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 (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and 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 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.
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Training schedule
Level 3 Early Years Educator.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in:
- Maths (grade 4)
- English (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Patience
- Team player
- Trustworthy
Other requirements
These vacancies are for 17.5 hrs per week only. Your contract will either be Mon to Weds or Weds to Fri (half-day Weds).
Candidates must attend an initial interview with a member of the Bedford College Apprenticeship Recruitment Team, if they meet the initial criteria, as part of the recruitment process. Only candidates who have fully completed the application will be considered. Please be aware that the closing date is subject to change without prior notice.
About this employer
At Blue Orkids Ltd we strive to be a fun, affordable, inclusive Early Years setting where children are welcomed, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Blue Orkids are dedicated to supporting apprentices with their professional growth from the very start. As you progress, you will have the chance to advance onto higher-level apprenticeships to build your skills and career. After successfully completion of this apprenticeship, opportunities may be available to progress into roles such as Lead Practitioner. You may also have the option to specialise in key areas, including SEND support, Health and Safety, or Safeguarding.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BEDFORD COLLEGE
Ramona Stevens
jobenquiries@justapply.co.uk
01234 291000
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039337.
Apply now
Closes in 3 days (Sunday 12 July 2026)
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