Apprentice presso Action for Children

Early Years Apprentice  

Location:  Witham, Essex 

Salary: £15,747.19 per annum 

Contract/Hours: Fixed Term Full Time – 40 hours per week (18 months to complete apprenticeship) 

Closing date: Midnight on the 7^th November 2025 

Benefits:   

• Time off to recharge - 33 Days leave per year  
• 24/7 Confidential Helpline speak to trained counsellors any time, 365 days a year, for emotional, wellbeing or mental health support. 
• Enhanced Well-being: 8 sessions In-Person, Phone, or Online Counselling or CBT 
• Treat yourself: Staff discounts portal and blue light card with 15,000 + retailers
• Salary Finance – access to financial advice and the ability to manage savings or loans directly from your salary 
• Childcare Discount – A whopping 60% off childcare within our nurseries and out of school clubs 
• Up to 3 Days Dependency Leave – to care for dependents in an emergency. 
• Paid maternity, adoption, and paternity leave  
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities  
• Secure your future: Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover 
• Free Parking

We're thrilled that you're considering a career with Spring. Spare us five minutes, and we'll tell you what you need to know.

Why Spring Nurseries 

Imagine a place where laughter echoes, imaginations run wild, and every day is a new adventure. That's Spring Nursery! We're not just a nursery; we are a family dedicated to creating a joyful and nurturing environment where children thrive.  As part of Action for Children, we're on a mission to provide outstanding early education that's accessible to all. 

At Spring, we are committed to supporting your career growth! Check out our Spring Career Progression Map attached to this advert, which highlights the options for progression into a specialist role.

About the nursery 

At Spring Harlequin, every day is an opportunity to spark imagination, laughter and discovery. As Apprentice, you won’t just be learning the ropes, you’ll be helping little ones take their very first steps into a world of wonder. 

Nestled in Witham, Essex our 37-place nursery care for children from birth to 7 years, offering full-day sessions and wrap around care with breakfast and after-school fun.  It offers a home-from-home environment where children are encouraged to play, explore, and grow at their own pace, guided by caring practitioners who help them become confident, curious learners.

Here learning happens everywhere, in our mud kitchen, fairy garden, and construction zone, where imaginations run wild and big dreams begin to take shape. Indoors, you’ll help create spaces filled with stories, laughter and those unforgettable “I did it” moments.

The Role of Nursery Apprentice 

An apprentice in a nursery plays a vital role in supporting our passionate team.  Alongside experienced practitioners, room leaders and our SENCo, you’ll gain hands on experience while studying towards your Early Years qualification.  Learning how to create inspiring play opportunities, support children’s development, and build positive relationships with families.  Every day brings new chances to learn, grow and make a real difference in the lives of our youngest learners.

What you’ll be doing    

In the role of Early Years Apprentice, you'll be:  

• Working alongside nursery practitioners in supporting children's development, participating, planning and setting up activities for a range of children. Developing successful relationships with children and their families.  
• Observing and track children's development and share this with parent/carers and other professionals.  
• Supporting children during mealtimes and toilet training.  
• Attending monthly staff meetings and 6 monthly parents/carers evenings.  
• Completing an apprenticeship to gain your childcare qualification, working within the setting to support the completion of your coursework and studies.  

What we need from you    

Our successful candidate will have an enthusiastic and pro-active mindset with a positive attitude and have the ability to form strong and supportive relationships with parents, children and the team. Our Job Description outlines the requirements of the role, but the ‘must haves' are:  

• A genuine interest in childcare & a true passion for children  
• Patience, a friendly manner, and the ability to communicate with children, young people, colleagues and other adults such as parents and carers.  
• A commitment to study time to help you achieve your qualification.  
• A desire to complete your apprenticeship and become a valued member of our team.   

The Training 

You will be completing an Early Years Educator Level 3 Apprenticeship. The expected duration of this course is 18 months. On successful completion of your apprenticeship, you will be awarded: 

• Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship 
• Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid OR Level 3 Award Emergency Paediatric First Aid 
• Apprentices will achieve an EYE qualification which has been approved to count towards the EYFS level 3 child: staff ratios  

Whether this is a career change for you or the next step in your journey, we'd love to hear from you.  

We work together to reach our mission to give children a healthy start in life.  

Good luck! We can't wait to hear from you.  

Contact: If you need support with your application, please contact our Recruitment Team at [email protected] quoting reference 12113. 

We'll be happy to give you any support you require.  

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion  

At Spring Oscars we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within the organisation. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups.  

Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Employee Reward Booklet

Spring Early Years Career Pathway