Childcare Apprentice-Level 3

Location: Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom Somerset

Job type: Part Time Temporary

Salary: £7.56 Hour
Contracted Hours: 30 hours per week

“Staff well-being is valued and nurtured. The provider offers staff opportunities to celebrate their achievements and contributions. These include staff nominations on the 'Each Person Scheme' and special award nights to recognise both individual and nursery achievements.”- OFSTED recent feedback

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At Tops Day Nurseries, we value your hard work and dedication. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Annual Bonus Scheme: Share in our success with annual profit-based bonuses each May, as part of our Employee-Owned Company model.

Childcare Discount: Up to 60% off childcare at our nurseries to help you balance work and family life.

Flexible Working Options: Compressed hours can earn you up to 48 extra days off annually, or 24 extra days if you work nine days across two weeks — on top of your regular holiday.

Certified World’s Happiest Workplace 2025: Recognised for our focus on employee well-being, positive culture, and career growth.

30 Days Paid Holiday: Includes 28 days annual leave plus 2 extra days — one for your birthday (or a special day of your choice), and one for your wellbeing.

Free Meals: Enjoy free, freshly prepared breakfasts daily to keep you energised.

Employee Recognition: Blue Light Card access for savings on shopping, dining, and more.

Reward Platform (Each Person): Discounts on gyms, cinemas, Cycle2Work, GP on-demand, supermarket cashback, and employee of the month rewards.

Health & Wellbeing Support: Help with NHS prescriptions, optical care, and dental treatment.

Career Development: Access to training and advancement opportunities to grow your career.

Travel & Parking Support: Interest-free loan of up to £500 for travel or parking season tickets.

About the Role

Our Early Years Educator Level 3 apprenticeship follow the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard. These can be revisited within separate modules to enhance learning and relevance throughout the apprentice’s practice.

The units you’ll study are split up into modules which include, Child development, Safeguarding, Transitions as well as EPA support session. The course consists of an assessment of your practice, professional discussions, Q&A as well as some small assignment tasks. You will be supported throughout the course by a dedicated trainer and also with the option of an online learning environment.

We are proud to be ranked 9th in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK in 2024! We offer fantastic opportunities to develop in a Nursery Career from Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeships all the way through to Nursery Manager or even to become an Early Years Teacher!

About the Nursery

Tops Mini Mariners Nursery is a 36 place Day Nursery & Pre-School situated in Mini Mariners, Taunton. The nursery run several extra-curricular activities including Cooking school, Boogie Mites, Yoga, Toothbrushing, Football fun and much more!

What does the role involve?

Assist in providing a safe environment for children
Assisting with daily, weekly and monthly checks around the nursery
Assist in ensuring the unit is clean and tidy and assist in meal preparation
Assist colleagues with developing and maintaining good relationships with local schools, charities and involvement with the community (e.g. parades, visiting care homes)
Taking children on trips out and assist on picking up from school
Able to support children’s behaviour and act as a role model
Support in ensuring the environment is stimulating and appropriate including layout, display of resources, displays and equal opportunities

What are we looking for?

This course is suitable for those of you working in a childcare setting who may wish to progress to a senior or supervisory role. On completion of the Level 3 you may progress onto further qualifications, including Level 5.
If you have not secured a grade 4 (C) or above in GCSE maths and English, you will be required to complete Functional Skills Level 2 in maths and English. You will be fully supported by your trainer using a range of materials that best suits you.

Why Tops Day Nurseries?

We are a well-established provider of early education and childcare services across the South of England. Founded in 1990 and differentiated by our brand and market footprint, over the past 34 years we believe in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible world for all. We aim to achieve this by educating today’s children so they can influence future generations.

We treat each other with respect and value the unique contributions of every team member, fostering an environment where open and honest communication is at the heart of our interactions. By working together, we support and encourage each other to achieve our best, finding purpose and meaning in our work and making a positive impact every day.

As an Employee-Owned Company, each of our colleagues/partners is a co-owner of our company. This means that as the company grows and succeeds, so do you. Our collective efforts directly contribute to the success and sustainability of our business, with the opportunity for all partners to receive an annual bonus from our profit shares.

Exciting? We think so! Your journey starts here, so take the first step to become part of Tops Team by clicking apply!

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. All candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS which is on the update service. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks. This role involves regulated activity with children. You should not apply if you are on the Childrens’ Barred List.

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