Business Administration Apprentice 

About Little Orchard

Little Orchard Montessori Nurseries is a growing, family-run group of Montessori nurseries based in South Devon.

Our central administration team supports the smooth running of our nursery settings, providing administrative support across recruitment, HR, finance, funding, compliance, training and communication.

Our values of Inspire, Empower and Respect underpin everything we do, both for the children and families we support and for the people who work within our organisation.

Purpose of the Role

The Business Administration Apprentice will work alongside our experienced administration and leadership team while completing a Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship.

The role is designed to provide practical experience across a wide range of business administration functions.

Initially, the apprentice will work closely with colleagues to learn our systems, processes and ways of working. As their knowledge and confidence develop, they will be encouraged to take greater responsibility for their own areas of work and develop effective systems and routines for managing their workload.

Key Responsibilities

General Administration

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the central office and nursery teams.
• Answer telephone calls and respond to emails in a friendly and professional manner.
• Prepare letters, forms, spreadsheets and other documents.
• Maintain accurate electronic records and filing systems.
• Enter and update information on company databases and IT systems.
• Scan, upload and organise documentation.
• Support the organisation of meetings, appointments and events.
• Take messages and ensure information reaches the appropriate person.
• Order office and nursery supplies when required.

Recruitment & HR Administration

Working under the guidance of the administration and management team:

• Support the administration of job vacancies and recruitment.
• Communicate with prospective candidates.
• Arrange interviews.
• Prepare recruitment and new-starter documentation.
• Request and monitor employment references.
• Support DBS and safer recruitment administration.
• Maintain staff records and training information.
• Assist with new employee onboarding.
• Support the administration of staff training and qualifications.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive staff information.

Nursery & Family Administration

• Support administrative communication with parents and carers.
• Assist with maintaining children's records.
• Support registration and new-starter processes.
• Help ensure information held within nursery management systems is accurate and up to date.
• Liaise professionally with nursery managers and practitioners across our settings.

Compliance & Training

• Help maintain staff training and compliance records.
• Support the monitoring of training expiry dates and required documentation.
• Assist with organising training courses and staff development.
• Support the preparation and maintenance of company documentation.
• Help ensure records are complete, accurate and stored appropriately.

As confidence develops, the apprentice will be encouraged to identify ways in which administrative systems and processes could be made more efficient.

Apprenticeship & Development

This is a developmental role, and we do not expect the successful candidate to know how to do everything from day one.

The apprentice will receive training, support and regular feedback while gradually building their skills and responsibilities.

They will be expected to:

• Actively participate in their Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship.
• Attend required training and complete apprenticeship work within agreed timescales.
• Make effective use of their allocated training time.
• Ask questions and seek support when unsure.
• Respond positively to feedback and coaching.
• Develop increasing independence in managing their workload.
• Take ownership of agreed tasks and responsibilities as their competence develops.
• Look for opportunities to improve administrative processes.

Our aim is for the apprentice to develop into a confident and capable administrator who can take responsibility for their own areas of the business.

Person Specification

Essential

We are looking for someone who:

• Is friendly, positive and approachable.
• Has a genuine interest in developing a career in business administration.
• Is organised and able to pay attention to detail.
• Is reliable and punctual.
• Communicates confidently and professionally.
• Is comfortable using computers and willing to learn new systems.
• Is willing to ask questions and learn from others.
• Can follow instructions and established procedures.
• Is able to work as part of a team.
• Can maintain confidentiality.
• Is willing to take increasing responsibility as their confidence develops.
• Demonstrates the Little Orchard values of Inspire, Empower and Respect.

Desirable

• Previous experience using Microsoft Word, Outlook or Excel.
• Experience within an office, customer service or administrative environment, although this is not essential.
• An interest in HR, finance, business or early years administration.

Safeguarding

Little Orchard Montessori Nurseries is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

The successful candidate will be expected to understand their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and confidentiality and undertake all required safeguarding training.

The appointment will be subject to Little Orchard's safer recruitment procedures and any appropriate pre-employment checks.

• Childcare Discount
• Company Pension
• Lots of training available
• Free and Confidential, Counselling helpline for staff members and family
• Exclusive staff benefit discount club