Ladybirds Day Nursery

Ladybirds Day Nursery

£6.40 per hour

Plymouth and Surrounding Areas

Childcare Apprentice
Published: Oct 09, 2023
Ref: LAD001

Ladybirds Day Nursery are looking for either a level 2 or level 3 childcare apprentice to join their friendly team in Brixton, just outside of Plymouth.

The Apprentices Role

You will be involved in supervising the childrens’ play time, and engaging children in learning and play activities. This is an important part of your role as it will help to build your confidence and ability to work with young children. You will learn how to interact with young children throughout all of their activities which will help you enjoy your progress through your apprenticeship.

On a daily basis you will be required to keep records and update accordingly, as well as working with team members to maintain a high standard of operation to ensure that the children are stimulated, nurtured and enjoy their time at nursery; this will ensure that the day runs smoothly and efficiently.

You will be supervised by a qualified member of staff, who will show you all the company policies and procedures required for this position, including Health and Safety in the workplace. You will be required to make sure that the nursery areas are clean and tidy at the end of the day, in preparation for the following day.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 7:30am and 6pm, hours may vary each week depending on the requirements of the nursery

Wages: £256 per week, based on a 40 hour week. Any overtime above the 40 hours per week, will be paid at the appropriate national minimum wage.

Holiday: 28 days holiday entitlement (including bank holidays) will be paid each year, during the course of your apprenticeship.

Ladybirds Day Nursery was established in 2001 and is based in the heart of Brixton, Plymouth. In September 2015 the nursery changed ownership and is now owned by Janine Lissack. The Nursery is fresh, bright and modern, in an area that welcomes early years care. Ladybirds provides a friendly, reassuring setting for children to flourish.

The staff have many years experience looking after children in all age groups, including their own. It is Ladybird's policy to employ staff who are dedicated to the job and highly motivated. All staff hold current first aid certificates and have various qualifications including NNEB, BTEC Diploma and NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Childcare and Degrees in Early Years. All staff are fully DBS checked.

Past Apprentices

Ladybirds Day Nursery have successfully recruited and trained apprentices previously. They are very keen on training their apprentices at level 2 and then encouraging them to progress on to their advanced level 3 apprenticeship. They have one apprentice currently working towards the level 3 apprenticeship.

They feel it is important to encourage people into their profession and, therefore, employ trainees who are looking to gain qualifications as well as valuable experience.

The employer is very committed to staff development and training, and to assist the successful apprentice to progress through all of their training with a view to future employment.

Skills Required

The ideal candidate will need to have good communication skills to work with the children, colleagues and parents. You must be hardworking, reliable and have the ability to follow procedures and take instructions.

An important part of this position is to be able to work well within a team and be able to use your own initiative throughout the day. Good timekeeping and attendance are also required for this position, together with a focused approach on all the duties that you carry out.

Personal Qualities

They are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic apprentice to join their hard working team. The successful candidate will need to be presentable, outgoing and have a caring approach. You must be reliable and have a willingness to learn and progress in a professional busy nursery.

To enjoy and succeed in this role, you will need to have a focused and patient approach, and most importantly make sure that each day is fun and enjoyable for the children.

Prior Qualifications

No previous qualifications are required for the level 2 role, however Maths and English GCSEs 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent would be desirable. If you would like to start on the level 3 apprenticeship, you will need to have completed the level 2 apprenticeship prior to starting.

The Apprenticeship in Childcare includes:

  • Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Standard Apprenticeship
    OR
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator Standard Apprenticeship

Most aspects of the qualification and training will be delivered at your workplace where you will be supported throughout your training by your employer. You will have regular visits every 6 to 12 weeks from your designated assessor who will help you and monitor your progression throughout your apprenticeship.

As an additional qualification, you will also achieve Emergency and Paediatric First Aid, and a Health and Safety Certificate, along with Internet Safety and Safeguarding.

I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to Vanessa, my trainer. You have made my journey so much easier, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been amazing and helped me to achieve my qualification. You’ve guided me through every step of the way, I really appreciate it, Vanessa, you have been my rock.

Katie Shorland, Level 2 Hairdressing

I always struggled in school as I wasn’t very academic, so knew learning on the job would be a better option for me. I would find it difficult to get up for 9am but now I wake up and look forward to my day. I wanted to try a hair apprenticeship as I’ve always been interested in hairdressing, and by the end of the first week, I already loved it!

Jaimee Benson, Level 2 Hairdressing

I have developed a range of new skills through work including the technical, industry skills required for the job, to personal development such as ensuring I am always on time. The biggest change since leaving school is adjusting to the independence you gain from earning a salary. My advice to anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship would be find what you like doing, and go for it!

Will Birch, Level 2 Bricklaying

Since starting the apprenticeship, I’ve become far more confident. In a classroom, you only interact with your classmates, but through working you develop your people skills as you interact with customers on a daily basis. At school, you are closely monitored and parented, however I am now more independent and feel grown up

Sam Collard, Level 2 Light Vehicle and Maintenance Repair

The most important thing I’ve learnt since leaving school is that there are other routes to success than just academia. I failed my GCSEs, as I never suited the school environment. Now though, I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship as I’ve discovered I learn more through hands-on practice.

Ben Freeman, Level 2 Carpentry

I would just like to thank you and your team for all the amazing work they do, you have provided me with the most invaluable experience which has helped to pave the way of my future. The work you do for young people is incredible!

Luke Kowalski, Teaching Assistant and former apprentice at Sir Robert Gefferys School