Childcare Apprenticeship - Level 2

Level 2 or Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship  – Winton pre-school (Term Time Only)

Shoots Training are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and hardworking individual to complete their Level 2 or Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship at Winton pre-school, Bournemouth.

Winton Pre-School Little Explorers is located at St Bernadette’s Church on Draycott Rd. We are staffed by a trained and experienced, dedicated team of caring individuals who recognise that your children’s personal development is of prime importance.

Winton Pre-School Little Explorers Ltd operates from St Bernadette’s Church Hall and presents itself as a small, friendly early years setting focused on giving children a strong start before primary school. Families looking for a nurturing option for two, three and four year olds will find a close-knit environment where staff aim to combine warmth, structure and play-based learning within the framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Feedback from parents consistently highlights a caring team and happy children, while official information shows a regulated childcare provider working to recognised standards for early years education.

A strong theme across publicly available information is the emphasis on a warm, family-like atmosphere. Parents describe staff as loving, kind and genuinely invested in the children’s wellbeing, with several comments noting that children grow in confidence and look forward to attending. This type of environment can be particularly reassuring for families sending a child to a preschool setting for the first time, as trust in the adults and a sense of emotional security play a major role in how quickly children settle. The downside of such a personal approach is that prospective parents may wish to visit in person to see how the setting manages boundaries and routines, as written information naturally focuses more on the positive, nurturing aspects of care.

Educationally, Winton Pre-School Little Explorers follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, the statutory framework that underpins most early years education in England. This ensures that children’s learning is planned across key areas such as communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and early literacy and numeracy, with activities tailored to their age and stage. The setting also reflects broader practice trends seen in many nursery schools, including child-led play, adult-guided tasks, and opportunities for problem solving and creative expression both indoors and outdoors. For parents comparing different providers, this means they can expect a structured approach aligned with national expectations rather than an entirely informal playgroup model.

The use of outdoor space is a recurring strength in descriptions of Winton Pre-School Little Explorers. There is mention of generous outside areas and a small garden where children are encouraged to grow vegetables and explore nature-based activities, echoing the emphasis many high-quality preschool settings place on physical play and environmental awareness. Regular outdoor access supports gross motor development, resilience and curiosity, and also allows staff to create learning opportunities linked to seasons, weather and the natural world, which is especially valuable for children who thrive when they can move freely and get hands-on with their surroundings. However, because the setting is part of a church hall rather than a purpose-designed building, outdoor facilities are likely to be more modest than larger, custom-built nursery campuses with extensive playgrounds and specialised equipment.

For families concerned about affordability, the pre-school participates in government funding schemes for early years. Funding for 15 to 30 hours a week is available for eligible three and four year olds, and information indicates that funding for some two-year-olds is also accepted, which can significantly reduce childcare costs for qualifying families.

Your duties and responsibilities will include;

Purpose of Role: To work as a practitioner/apprentice within the setting, under the direction of Pre-school Management.  To provide safe, high-quality care and education for the children, in accordance with the guidelines stipulated by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS),Ofsted, Department of education and the settings Policies and Procedures. You are responsible for the Safeguarding of Children.

To maintain confidentiality at all times, in accordance with the settings confidentiality policy except in circumstances where a child protection issue has arisen and the Pre-school Manager/Supervisor needs to be informed.

• To engage children, extend their play and implement teachable moments to ensure children are meeting their developmental milestones. To ensure that the pre-school’s behavior policy is implemented consistently during the daily session when interacting with children.
• To set up an enabling and stimulating environment for children.
• To ensure toys are rotated adequately and in accordance to children's interests.
• Set up garden following planning/children's interests.
• Ensure a physical activity is set up in the garden.
• Ensure resources are readily available for children, for example: Paper, sharpened pencils and working pens are available throughout the setting.
• Complete a planning week each half term.
• Pack away the toys ensuring toys are in correct boxes.
• Keep cupboards tidy and organized, putting things away in correct places.
• Hoover and clean all floors daily, ensuring any marks/stains/residue are cleaned.
• It is important to be aware of allergies and special dietary requirements and abide by them.  
• Set up snack bar with snack pots, correct number of cups, water jugs & milk, bin and hand-washing sink.
• Announce opening & closing of rolling snack to children (Children will be able to access their snack as and when required during the snack bar opening times)
• Assist the children with their snacks. (Encourage children to be independent, pour their own drinks etc.).
• To prepare the room for children’s and staff’s lunch. (put out lunchboxes, bins, hand washing sinks)
• Support children whilst eating.
• To ensure pre- School maintains a high standard of cleanliness. All windowsills/skirting boards/door handles, kitchen (including cupboard doors and floors), fridge to be cleaned daily.
• Ensure all floors and hoovered/mopped daily.
• Toilets to be cleaned daily - rotated between staff.
• You will be required to assist the staff on the 'floor' and may be counted in ratio. Interacting and playing with the children, implementing teachable moments. You will also be required to offer 1:1 support.
• To advise the Pre-school Manager/Supervisor of any concerns (including safeguarding) relating to children, parents, health & safety and hygiene of equipment as soon as possible. To advise the Pre-school Manager/Supervisor of any related matters as relevant.
• To ensure that the pre-school practitioner’s practice relates to the settings equal opportunities policy and supports individual diverse needs as appropriate.
• To participate in two cleaning sessions yearly – Summer and Winter terms.
• To attend staff meetings half termly, in-service training courses and meetings as required, in particular Child Protection/Safeguarding, First Aid, Food Hygiene, Manual Handling.  Apprentices must work towards Childcare Qualifications in a timely manner.
• Keep your CPD up to date and attend relevant training.

Please note: this job description may change to meet the ever-changing needs of the pre-school

Requirements;

• A Level 2 Childcare qualification would be desirable for a Level 3 Apprentice, Level 2 Apprentice can be unqualified 
• Preferably have GCSE grades A*-C or 4-9 in Maths and English, or equivalent or willing to work towards them

Hours;

• Winton pre-school is open from 8:00am – 3:30pm Monday to Friday (Term Time Only)
• The successful candidate will be required to work 25 hours per week 

STSW2

• All statutory benefits