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Early Years Educator Apprentice - Orchard Barns

Early Years Educator Apprentice - Orchard Barns

location-black-icon Colchester, CO7 6JU

Ref: VAC-02025
Type: Apprenticeship
Salary: £304.00 per week
Sector: Early Years
Deadline: 30/04/2026
Start Date: 04/05/2026
Working Week: 38 hours a week Monday to Friday - shifts to be agreed at offer stage
Company: Orchard Barns, Stratford St Mary
Positions Available: 2

Vacancy Detail

Orchard Barns, Stratford St Mary's is seeking a warm, enthusiastic Nursery Apprentice with a genuine passion for working with children and a desire to complete a Level 3 Early Years qualification.

About the Role
As a Nursery Apprentice, you will work as part of a friendly and supportive team, playing an active role in children’s learning and development. Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as a key person for a group of children
• Supporting planning, observations, and assessments
• Ensuring the safeguarding, welfare, and wellbeing of all children at all times
• Creating a safe, stimulating, and engaging learning environment in line with the EYFS Statutory Framework
• Building strong, positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues

What We Offer
In return for your commitment, we offer:
£500 completion bonus and £1000 loyalty bonus after 1 year.
Free uniform
Lunch provided
Discounted childcare
28 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
Access to CPD and training via Noodle Now

Your Future with Us

Supportive Team: You’ll join a welcoming team that values your contribution and supports your learning and development
Build Your Network: Connect with early years professionals from day one
High Employability: Most apprentices secure employment or continue further study after completing their training
Career Progression: Many apprentices remain with us in permanent roles, progressing into higher-level positions

Qualifications required

  • GCSE Maths/English or equivalent, or willingness to work towards the required level of functional skills alongside the apprenticeship.
  • Some experience working with babies or children under the age of five

Personal qualities

  • Care & Compassion
  • Patience & Calmness
  • Positive Work Ethic
  • Teamwork
  • Initiative & Adaptability
  • Honesty & Integrity

Skills required

  • Communication: Verbally and in writing, with children, parents, and staff
  • Observation: Noticing and recording children’s development and well‑being
  • Creativity: Planning engaging and fun activities (arts, music, games)
  • Safety & Hygiene: Understanding and implementing health & safety, food hygiene, and child protection procedures
  • Organisation: Managing time, resources, and tasks effectively

Future Prospects

Permanent Role: Many apprentices are offered permanent positions within their company, transitioning from fixed-term contracts to regular employment.

Other Information

DBS and references required, DBS paid for by company
On-site parking, infrequent bus route

Training to be Provided

Your full role and responsibilities will be set out by your employer. They will provide you with all of the on-the-job training you need to up-skill in your role, and your 20% off-the-job learning will be incorporated as part of your working day.
You will be working towards the Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship standard, which includes:
• Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
• Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
• Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid or Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid
• Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if required)

This will be delivered by your dedicated training provider, Realise.