Overview
An opportunity has arisen to join the dedicated team at Friendly Faces Nursery in Congleton. Here, we are passionate about delivering high-quality care and education, aiming to give every child the best possible start in life. You will work closely with managers, colleagues, parents and children, and you will have great support.
Key details
Wage: £11,648 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.
Hours: Monday to Friday, shift pattern to be discussed. 28 hours a week.
Duration: 1 year 3 months.
What you’ll do
To assist the manager and play workers in the setting. As you will be working with children daily, a DBS check will be required.
Duties include:
- Provide a consistent approach to learning and behaviour and a willingness to work to pre‑school guidelines.
- Encourage pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by adults and independently.
- Organise and prepare creative and appropriate play opportunities.
- Keep up to date on Ofsted guidelines.
- Apply and adhere to policies in line with school and national standards.
- Have a sound understanding of health and safety.
- Listen and reflect on feedback.
- Communicate effectively with children.
- Maintain a flexible approach to work.
Training and Development
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training topics cover:
- Support babies and young children through a range of transitions and significant events (e.g., moving onto school, moving house or the birth of a sibling).
- Recognise when a child is in danger or at risk of serious harm or abuse and explain the procedures to protect them. Types of abuse include domestic, neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
- Identify risks and hazards in the provision and during off‑site visits, and follow reporting procedures.
- Use infection prevention and control techniques for hand washing, food preparation and hygiene; deal with spillages safely; dispose of waste safely; use correct personal protective equipment.
- Use equipment, furniture and materials safely and securely, following manufacturers’ instructions and provision requirements.
- Encourage children to be aware of personal safety, develop personal hygiene practices (including oral hygiene).
- Promote health and wellbeing by encouraging healthy, balanced, nutritious meals, snacks and drinks, supporting physical activity indoors and outdoors.
- Carry out respectful care routines appropriate to the child’s development, including feeding, nappy changing, toilet training, care of skin, teeth and hair, and rest and sleep provision.
- Communicate with all children, including those with additional needs or English as an additional language, in ways that will be understood (verbal and non‑verbal).
- Extend children’s development and learning through verbal and non‑verbal communication and a range of communication methods.
- Use appropriate communication methods to share information with children, parents or carers and other professionals.
- Work with colleagues to identify and plan educational programmes supporting holistic development through play, creativity, social development and learning.
- Implement, review and clear up after activities that support play, creativity, social development and learning.
- Observe children, assess, plan and record outcomes, sharing results accurately and confidentially in line with statutory and provision requirements.
- Use learning activities to support early language development, mark making, writing, reading and being read to.
- Support children’s interest and development in mathematical learning including numbers, patterns, counting, sorting and matching.
- Support the graduated approach for the assessment, planning, implementation and review of each child’s individual plan.
- Value and respect the developmental needs and stages of babies and children.
- Use feedback, mentoring or supervision to identify and support areas for development, goals and career opportunities.
- Collaborate with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to meet children’s needs and support progress.
- Work alongside parents or carers, recognising their role in a child’s health, wellbeing, learning and development, and encouraging them to take an active role.
- Share information with parents or carers about healthy, balanced and nutritious diets, oral hygiene and physical activity.
- Follow a Level 2 Apprenticeship programme and study towards a full Early Years Practitioner standard (Level 2); training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College – South & West.
- If required, complete a Level 1 Functional Skills course in the relevant subject.
Requirements
GCSE grades A*-D (9‑3) or equivalent, or a Level 1 Functional Skills qualification in the relevant subject.
Skills
- Creative
- Non‑judgemental
- Knowledge of SEN
- Time‑management
- Building healthy relationships
Other requirements
You may need to think about transport to the setting.
About this employer
Friendly Faces Nursery is an outstanding Childminders / Nursery provider for early years children, also offering an after‑school club.
After this apprenticeship
- Possible full‑time role in the setting upon completion of the apprenticeship.
Contact
Cheshire College South and West
Reference code: VAC2000035082
Application deadline
Closes in 12 days (Thursday 18 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
#J-18808-Ljbffr…