Childcare Apprenticeship

Early Years Apprentice

Location:

Lime Grove Day Nursery, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JS
.

Contract:

37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Working pattern:
Varied shifts Monday–Friday between 07:30 and 18:30.

Start date:

August
18th – September
18th2026.

Salary: £8.00 per hour to start, rising to £10.41 per hour after six months. For those aged 21 or older, a further increase to £12.74 per hour after 12 months.

• Generous annual leave: 23 days paid leave per annum (pro‑rated), increasing to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays.
• Childcare discount: 75% discount (or 40% grandparent discount) on your fees at any Childbase nursery from day one.
• Exclusive partner benefits: long‑service rewards, qualification bonuses, and retail discounts.
• Wellbeing support: free meals; mental health and occupational health support; flu jabs; eye‑care vouchers; and a free will‑writing service.
• Career development: team inset days; access to online training in addition to your course; and a permanent role as a Qualified Nursery Practitioner (upon successful completion of the apprenticeship).

We have delivered childcare excellence since 1989. Within our 44‑day nurseries, Head Office, and Training Academy, Edu Base, our ethos is simple: we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute. We believe in “careers, not jobs”, supporting one another to grow and succeed.

We are an inclusive employer who welcomes applicants of all ages (16+) and backgrounds. We’re committed to FREDIE (fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement) and will consider any reasonable adjustments required.

• Passionate about building a career with children: interest in child development and a desire to care for babies and young children under five.
• Enthusiastic about learning: thrive with practical tasks and excited to plan and implement high‑quality, engaging activities linked to the early years curriculum, promoting learning through play, and observing, assessing, and recording children’s progress.
• Nurturing and empathetic: prioritise child safety, ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and happy, while respecting our policies and following direction from management and trainers.
• Time‑management skills: make effective use of off‑job learning time, allocate time outside of work to complete written work, and submit coursework by deadlines.
• Collaborative mindset: enjoy working in partnership with others, strong verbal and written communication skills, and ability to build positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues.

• Practical experience and underpinning theory: you will work at the nursery with regular trainer visits; attend group training sessions (usually once every 6–8 weeks) at our academy in Newport Pagnell.
• Early Years qualification: either a Level2 Early Years Practitioner or a Level3 Early Years Educator qualification; an online initial assessment will determine the most suitable level.
• Functional Skills qualifications:
  English and maths; if not already held, you will undertake the relevant qualification in line with governmental apprenticeship rules.
• Paediatric first aid qualification: course at the academy, certificate valid for three years.

• Right to work in the UK and a National Insurance number.
• Photographic  (e.g., valid passport or driving licence).
• Access to a computer (laptop or PC) for the initial online assessment and ongoing coursework.
• Residency in the UK for the last three years.
• Comfortable travelling to and from the academy in Newport Pagnell (travel costs covered).
• Residence within a commutable distance of the nursery.
• Reference to the Right to Work, National Insurance Number, and photo .

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and hold suitable Right to Work in the UK. VISA sponsorship is not available. Safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check, apply. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.