Early Years Educator Apprentice

Early Years Educator Apprentice

PLAYOLOGY LIMITED

Co. Durham (SR8 1NJ) Closes in 17 days (Friday 29 May 2026 at 11:59pm) Posted on 11 May 2026 Print Contents Summary Work Training Requirements About this employer After this apprenticeship Ask a question Apply now Summary Playology are excited to offer the opportunity for the right people to join our dedicated Childcare Team and undertake the Early Years Educator Apprenticeship at an innovative, outdoor early years setting. Wage £15,600 a year Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab) Training course Early years educator (level 3) Hours Monday - Friday working between the hours of 8am - 5pm, term time. 37 hours 30 minutes a week Start date Sunday 7 June 2026 Duration 1 year 6 months Positions available 1 Work Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You'll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience. What you'll do at work A Playologist is an educator who works both with and in nature, facilitating hands on, feet in, play based learning. As a Playologist, you will work with support from the Managing Director and Lead Playologist as part of a team of outdoor educators to care for and develop a stimulating, enabling natural environment, and curate resources within both the indoor learning spaces and at the beach/forest. You will work together with passionate colleagues to deliver enquiry-led, curricular programs following children's own interests. You spend your days immersed in nature, scaffolding children's play, guiding and documenting children's learning, engaging in intellectual interactions, and regularly reporting progress and experiences to parents. You will play a part in the life of Playology by actively participating in team meetings, unique trainings and seasonal events. Your main duties and responsibilities will be to: To support your colleagues with successful delivery of beach/forest school sessions To be a 'key person' with responsibilities for the wellbeing and development of a group of children, helping those children feel safe and cared for To ensure that the environment, resources as well as the opportunities and experiences presented to children are tailored to meet their individual needs To help maintain safety and security of all children, staff and visitors to Playology To inform, engage and support parents and carers in guiding their child's development at home To contribute to children's care routines, planning, documenting learning and assessment and progress records for children To work within the policies and procedures of Playology Limited To undertake any other duties in line with the needs of the business and commensurate with the grade of the post Where you'll work Oakerside Dene Lodge Stanhope Chase Peterlee Co. Durham SR8 1NJ Training Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You'll study to gain professional knowledge and skills. Training provider

CITY OF SUNDERLAND COLLEGE

Training course Early years educator (level 3) Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab) What you'll learn Course contents Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure. Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies). Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice. Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety. Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child. Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child. Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person. Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children. Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years. Advocate for all children's needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support. Promote and facilitate children's interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships. Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture. Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours. Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements. Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors. Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child's voice. Apply strategies that support children's ability to manage change, transition, and significant events. Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child's needs and interests. Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy. Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy. Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally. Recognise when a child or a colleague is in danger or at risk of abuse and act to protect them in line with safeguarding policy and procedure. Apply legislation, policy and procedure to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children in the setting (for example, food safety, diets, starting solid food, allergies, COSHH, and accidents, injuries, and emergencies). Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management within documentation and practice. Teach children to develop skills to manage risk and maintain their own and others safety. Use a range of communication methods, including technology, with other professionals to meet the individual needs of the child. Develop and maintain effective professional, collaborative relationships with others involved in the education and care of the child. Undertake the role and responsibilities of key person. Recognise and apply theories of attachment to develop effective relationships with children. Provide sensitive and respectful personal care for children from birth to 5 years. Advocate for all children's needs, including children which require SEND or EAL support. Promote and facilitate children's interpersonal communication to develop their social interactions and relationships. Support children to develop a positive sense of their own identity and culture. Support children to understand and respond to their emotions and make considered choices about their behaviours. Assess the responsiveness of the environment for effective child-centred experiences in line with curriculum requirements. Create inclusive, child-centred, dynamic, innovative, and evolving physical environments both indoors and outdoors. Create inclusive and supportive emotional environment that enables the child to feel safe, secure, respected and experience a sense of wellbeing; maintaining and prioritising the individual child's voice. Apply strategies that support children's ability to manage change, transition, and significant events. Analyse observation evidence to assess and plan holistic individual learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the child's needs and interests. Facilitate and support child-centred opportunities and experiences based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy. Provide adult led opportunities and experience based on the setting's curriculum and pedagogy. Use reflection to develop themselves both professionally and personally. Training schedule Level 3 Early Years Educator workplace-based training Training will include paediatric first aid qualification Requirements Essential qualifications GCSE or equivalent in: English (grade 4-9) Maths (grade 4-9) Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know. Skills Adaptable Creative Emotionally Intelligent Empathetic Good Conversationalist Good Hygiene Good listener Motivated Non-discriminatory Patient Physically Fit Polite Positive Professional Respectful Team Working Other requirements The role takes place in busy outdoor environments where physical activity and hands-on involvement are part of daily life. While the work can be demanding, it is incredibly fulfilling, offering the chance to make a meaningful impact on children's development while enjoying the fresh air and natural surroundings every day. About this employer Playology is an OFSTED Registered outdoor early-years learning provider that blends beach school, forest school and creative play programmes to help children learn through nature-based experiences. Playology promotes a play-based, child-led learning philosophy, where children develop skills by exploring, experimenting and taking supported risks.

Our settings aim to support:

? Curiosity and exploration ? Physical development through climbing, digging, and outdoor play ? Creativity through process art and natural materials ? Social skills, resilience and independence Outdoor experiences are used to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum through activities like den building, nature exploration, storytelling, and collaborative play. Founded in 2019 by early years teacher and educational trainer Hannah, Playology has grown over the past six years into a thriving provider of outdoor, play-based learning experiences for children. After this apprenticeship There will be the possibility of full-time employment upon completion of the apprenticeship. Ask a question The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CITY OF SUNDERLAND COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is

VAC2000030827.

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