Nursery Apprentice

Early Years Apprentice

📍 Acorn Nursery, Stanwick
🎓 Level 2 or Level 3 Apprenticeship Opportunity

Full time - 36 hours per week

Are you looking to start your career in early years and gain a recognised qualification while working? We are looking for an Early Years Apprentice to join our team at Acorn @ Stanwick. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to earn while you learn, working towards your Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification while gaining hands-on experience in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Acorn Early Years is a well-established not-for-profit childcare provider with over 35 years’ experience, delivering high-quality early years education across Milton Keynes, Northampton and Bedford.

Our nurseries are built on strong values, including nature-based learning, child-centred practice, and professional development, and we are proud to have been recognised as a ‘Top 20 Recommended Nursery Group 2025’ by Day Nurseries.

At Stony Stratford, you’ll be part of a friendly and experienced team dedicated to helping children grow, learn and thrive.

About Acorn Stanwick

Acorn at Stanwick is based in a historic village in Northamptonshire, which offers a homely space for children to relax and have fun whilst learning and socialising with other children. We work closely with the community and often become involved with village events and use the local amenities and surrounding area, including our own raised beds at the local allotment. 

We offer full and part-time care for up to 78 children from the age of four months to four years, and are open from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. 

The children have use of two large outdoor spaces, one being a private garden at the back of the nursery, which offers a woodland area, space for children to be active and a stream. We also have our own forest school field a few minutes’ walk away for children to explore and discover the environment through a range of activities, including the opportunity to learn how to use tools safely and learn about fire, with Lorraine, our in-house forest school leader.

We have a team of qualified, experienced and dedicated staff who provide high quality care and education for all children in a secure and stimulating environment. Children’s learning is facilitated through a carefully designed provision which offers rich first-hand opportunities that support children to explore, investigate and discover. Key persons use a variety of strategies, such as role modelling, encouraging, demonstrating, and setting challenges to help children to progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage.

About the Role

As an Early Years Apprentice, you will:

• Work as part of the nursery team while completing your qualification
• Learn how to support children’s learning, development and play
• Help create a warm, safe and stimulating environment
• Build positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues
• Gain experience in EYFS practice and safeguarding procedures
• Work closely with a mentor to achieve your apprenticeship objectives

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting children through play-based learning and activities
• Being a positive role model for behaviour and engagement
• Learning how to deliver a holistic early years curriculum
• Supporting children’s progress and development
• Observing children and learning about planning in the moment
• Encouraging curiosity through creative, outdoor and messy play
• Developing strong communication skills with children and adults
• Learning and applying Acorn’s values, ethos and practices
• Ensuring children are safe and well cared for at all times

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about working with children
• Enjoys outdoor learning and creative play
• Is enthusiastic, reliable and eager to learn
• Can balance work and study commitments
• Has a positive, caring and proactive attitude
• Wants to develop a long-term career in early years

(No prior qualification is required — full training will be provided as part of the apprenticeship.)

What We Offer

• A recognised Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification
• Hands-on experience in a supportive nursery environment
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Enhanced pension contributions
• 65% childcare discount
• Four annual nursery closure days dedicated to staff training
• The opportunity to work for a not-for-profit organisation that puts children first

Equality, Diversity & Safer Recruitment

At Acorn, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

Successful applicants must:

• Have the right to work in the UK
• Provide two satisfactory references
• Complete an Enhanced DBS check prior to starting

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• 65% Childcare discount Pro-rata according to contracted hours
• Generous family leave
• Christmas closure
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
• 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Cyclescheme
• Techscheme
• Length of Service awards
• Summer and Christmas parties
• Pay advances for when times are tough
• Employee assistance wellbeing programme