Supportive Early Years apprenticeship at Hummingbirds Nursery in a warm, welcoming setting. You’ll have protected study time, a dedicated mentor and clear progression opportunities. Join an experienced team, earn competitive pay and build a long-term career in Early Years.

Requirements

• GCSE in Maths (grade 4/C)
• GCSE in English (grade 4/C)
• Other in English (grade 2)
• Other in Maths (grade 2)
• Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Responsibilities

• Support children with play, learning and development activities
• Assist with personal care routines including feeding, changing and hygiene
• Work alongside experienced staff to create a safe, nurturing environment
• Take part in adult-led and child-initiated activities
• Observe children and support their individual needs
• Attend training and complete apprenticeship coursework on time
• Follow safeguarding, health and safety and nursery policies
• Work as part of a friendly, supportive team

Benefits

• Protected study time
• Dedicated mentor
• Clear progression opportunities
• Competitive pay
• A proven apprenticeship pathway with previous apprentices having won awards with the current deputy nursery manager having completed a training scheme 8 years ago.
• To become a permanent member of the team and to continue your career progression.
• We have a new nursery opening in 2026 which gives lots of scope for future progression.

Application Process

• Training course: Early years practitioner (level 2)
• Training provider: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE GROUP
• Training schedule: Early Years Practitioner Level 2. You will attend Fareham College once every two weeks and will complete training both on and off-the-job.

About Hummingbirds Nursery

We have a beautiful purpose built building in the heart of the South Downs National Park, surrounded by fields and neighbour to a 12th Century Church. We have direct access to the fields behind through our garden gate with lots of opportunities for nature walks and bug hunts.

We base our approach on the Swedish curriculum which states that: “Preschool is resting upon the ground of democracy”. In practice, this means that care and respect for others forms the basis of everyday experience for children.

The children are grouped by age for some activities - Bunnies (Under 2s), Hedgehogs (2-3s), Foxes (early preschool) and Owls (preschool year). Each group has their own dedicated leader who is their key worker and plans developmental activities based on the EYFS.

https://www.hummingbirdsnursery.co.uk/

Contact

The contact for this apprenticeship is: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000018479.