A Brief overview of the role

Start your career helping little humans grow - while growing yourself
At The Old Station Nursery, we believe everyone is still growing - little humans and big humans alike. As an Early Years Apprentice at St Neots Nursery, you’ll learn alongside experienced colleagues, build practical skills, and help children discover the world around them.

Skills we would like you to have

Pretending to eat playdough creations realistically is required, and that of drinking numerous cups of pretend tea
You must have the ability to read a ten-page fairy-tale, upside down, with at least 4 interruptions per page
Having a warm smiling face that makes every child feel special
You must be prepared to have lots of fun in the workplace. Laughter is something you can expect to be a large part of your working day
Finally, you must be prepared to feel loved, special and important to many young children and their families; there is simply no other job quite like this one

Qualifications Required for the role

GCSE level education and experience working with children is preferred for a level 3 role.

Personal qualities we would like you to have

What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone with a genuine interest in working with children and a willingness to learn.

You’ll bring:
Kindness, patience, and curiosity about how children learn and grow
A positive approach to teamwork and getting involved
Reliability and care in the things you do
Openness to feedback and the confidence to ask for help when you need it
Commitment to completing your apprenticeship training and developing your skills
Whether you’re taking your first steps into work or exploring a new career direction, we’d love to hear what draws you to Early Years.

Job Description

You don’t need to arrive with all the answers. Bring your curiosity, kindness, and willingness to learn, and we’ll support you as you find your feet.

Why Join Our Team?
We take care of the people who care for our children and families. Here’s what that means for you:
Childcare support: Free childcare for your first month, followed by a 52% discount based on your working hours.
Time to recharge: 31 days of holiday, including national bank holidays, plus your birthday off and an extra day after 3 years of service.
Space to grow: Access to The National College, with a library of courses and training to develop your practice and leadership.
Connection to your community: One paid day each year to volunteer and support a cause that matters to you.
Everyday support: With access to Perkbox, enjoy discounts on shopping, meals out, and everyday essentials, alongside wellbeing tools and online medical services. You’ll also be eligible for a Blue Light Card, helping your money go further with even more discounts.
Recognition along the way: We celebrate the care and commitment you bring, with Employee of the Month recognition, long-service awards to mark your milestones, and referral bonuses for introducing friends or family to our team.

What You'll Be Doing
You’ll learn through a combination of dedicated training and hands-on experience, with colleagues beside you to explain, demonstrate, and help you build confidence.
One moment you might be helping children explore textures or build a tower. The next, you could be learning how familiar routines help children feel safe and settled.

With guidance from your team, you’ll:
Help create a warm, welcoming environment where every child feels included and encouraged
Support play and learning inspired by children’s interests and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Learn about children’s development, noticing and celebrating the steps they take
Build caring relationships with children, families, and colleagues, learning how to share updates about each child’s day
Help with everyday routines, including mealtimes, personal care, and rest
Develop your understanding of safeguarding, hygiene, and safe practice
Complete your apprenticeship training and tasks, putting your learning into practice along the way
Our values are simple: Own it. Be human. Make it happen. As an apprentice, that means taking responsibility for your learning, treating others with kindness, and being willing to ask questions and try something new.

Where You'll Be Working
At our St Neots children’s day nursery, we follow the Montessori approach in a home-from-home environment. The children in our care learn through play, and the passionate team at our Ofsted-rated ‘Good’ nursery offer children a variety of activities and learning opportunities every day related to their individual interests, ensuring no two days are ever the same. We are situated on the site of Longsands College, around the back of the school, and are best accessed via Kings Road. We are just a few minutes walk from the train station, where trains run every 30 minutes to Kings Cross, London. The A1 and the A428 are nearby, with bus routes into Cambridge, making us easily accessible for commuters. Our pre-school is only a short walk away and parking is available on both sites.

Future Prospects

We believe in creating brighter futures for our people; as we work with, train, progress and develop our team through professional development.

Other Information about this role

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, and verification of your right to work in the UK and any essential qualifications.

Early Years Educator Apprentice TOSN St Neots