Early Years Apprentice
hace 1 día
Sprowston
Who Are We? We are a Forest School setting based in 2.2 acres of woodland in Norwich. Our vision is to provide a pioneering and inspiring child-centred education, full of the wonders of childhood, in our outdoor classroom under the sky. Children are free to be curious about the natural world, splash in muddy puddles and search for bugs under logs and leaves. Imagine your working day under the trees: toasting marshmallows over a crackling campfire, transforming logs and loose parts into tyrannosaurus tractors, building bird boxes and clay creatures, and spinning magical tales in our cosy bell tent. Our rich GroWild Nature Curriculum is bursting at the seams, just waiting for your creativity and passion to bring it to life. Why Start Your Career at GroWild? Learn in a woodland, not a classroom. Gain your qualification while climbing trees, cooking on the campfire and making mud pies with the children. Your own personalised Forest School PDP. Alongside your apprenticeship, you'll have a development plan built around you – from campfire safety and tool use to storytelling and nature play. Mentored by experienced Forest School practitioners every step of the way. Hours that fit your life. We're open to flexible and part-time hours for the right person. 50% off childcare for your own children at GroWild. Uniform and all-weather kit provided – waterproof coat and trousers, fleece, hat and more. Flexible hours for the right person - We know great educators have lives outside work – families, studies, other passions. We are open to flexible and part-time hours and will work with you to find a pattern that fits your lifestyle and our children's needs. Apprenticeships are usually based on around 30 hours a week. Part-time is possible, but it means the course takes a little longer – we'll talk this through with you and our training provider. Where Could This Take You? An apprenticeship at GroWild is the first step on a real career path. We grow our team from within, and our Hubs (our name for age-group “rooms”, built around each age group's journey through the woods) need great educators! Educator Once qualified at Level 2 or 3 Level 2 or 3 Early Years apprenticeship On-the-job mentoring and off-the-job training Personalised Forest School PDP Forest School Early Years Educator Supporting in a Hub of children Further Forest School training Progression depends on completing your qualification, suitable roles being available, and meeting the person specification for each role. About the Apprenticeship Work towards and complete an Early Years Educator Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship. Receive on-the-job training and mentoring from experienced Forest School practitioners. Benefit from regular supervision, monthly 1:1s and CPD opportunities. Attend off-the-job training as required by your apprenticeship provider. A Day in the Woods Help welcome children and families at the start of the day. Join the children outdoors – den building, bug hunts, mud kitchens and campfire snacks. Support care routines such as meals, rest and personal care in our indoor base. Observe what children are learning and add to their learning journeys. Reflect with your mentor on what went well and what you'd like to try next. Areas of Responsibility Care and education Help create an engaging, fun and nurturing environment in line with our policies and the EYFS. Follow and support children's interests in activities such as tree climbing, campfire cooking, woodland exploration and mud play. Supervise children at all times, ensuring their safety, wellbeing and engagement. Work predominantly outdoors in all weathers (with the kit to keep you comfortable!). A welcoming environment Help keep the indoor and outdoor environment safe, well-resourced and inviting. Welcome families warmly and build positive relationships. Observation and record keeping Observe and record children's learning and development in line with the EYFS. Contribute to learning journals and share observations with parents. Keep all records in line with our GDPR and confidentiality policies. Curriculum Support the team to deliver the GroWild Nature Curriculum using a Forest School approach. Contribute ideas and help prepare activities that reflect children's interests. Professional development Complete all elements of your apprenticeship, including off-the-job training. Work through your personalised Forest School PDP and attend team meetings and training. Safety and safeguarding Follow all health and safety policies, risk assessments and safeguarding procedures. Complete daily, weekly and monthly task lists. Report any concerns about a child's welfare immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Person Specification Essential Willingness and commitment to complete a Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years apprenticeship. Good understanding of written and spoken English. A genuine passion for working with young children in an outdoor, nature-based environment – in all weathers. A positive, can-do attitude and willingness to learn and take on new challenges. Strong team player with good communication skills. Punctual, organised and reliable. Desirable (not essential) Some experience of Forest School, outdoor education or an early years setting (paid or voluntary). Paediatric First Aid, Food Hygiene or Safeguarding training. A full UK driving licence and own transport. No experience? That's fine – we're looking for enthusiasm, curiosity and a love of the outdoors. We'll teach you the rest. Pay, Benefits and Training Pay From £8.00 per hour (apprentice rate), rising to at least the National Minimum Wage for your age once you are 19 or over and have completed your first year. Annual pay and performance reviews, with pay rising as you qualify and progress. Workplace pension scheme. Life at GroWild Flexible and part-time hours considered for the right candidate. 50% off childcare fees for your children at GroWild. Uniform and all-weather outdoor kit provided. Work every day in a beautiful woodland environment. 50% of your lunch break paid. Free on-site parking. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential wellbeing support. Regular team socials and staff wellbeing initiatives. DBS check costs covered by GroWild. Training and Development A nationally recognised Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification. Your own personalised Forest School PDP, reviewed at monthly 1:1s. Mentoring from experienced Forest School practitioners. Paediatric first aid, safeguarding and Prevent training. A clear pathway to Educator and Hub Leader roles. Our Commitment to Safeguarding GroWild Kindergarten is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect everyone who works with us to share that commitment. We follow safer recruitment practices for every role. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, two satisfactory references (requested after an offer is made), and confirmation of your right to work in the UK. You must already have the right to work in the UK to apply. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship, so we cannot progress applications that depend on a work visa being sponsored by GroWild. Roles working with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, so you will be asked to declare any relevant convictions, cautions or orders. All offers of employment are conditional on these checks being completed satisfactorily. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to equality of opportunity. If you need any adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, please let us know. How to Apply Complete our online application form at www.growildkindergarten.co.uk/careers . If you have applied through Indeed, please still complete the form – we can only accept CVs alongside a completed application form. We will acknowledge your application within 48 hours. Shortlisted candidates are invited to a single interview here on site. This includes a session of at least one hour with the children (supervised by our team), so come dressed for the outdoors – it's the best way to see whether GroWild is the place for you! Every applicant hears back from us, whatever the outcome. Closing date 10.11.26 Questions? Email admin@growildkindergarten.co.uk – we're happy to chat about the Apprentice role, hours or flexible working before you apply. Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Ends. TPBN1_UKTJ