Job title: Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship
Salary: A1 - £24,413 (pro rata for Term Time Only)
Hours: 37 hours (term time only and all year round)
Contract: Apprenticeship
Location: Various Little Owls Nurseries
Timeline
Leeds City College Information Assessment Session: Provisionally scheduled for 14th January 2026
Leeds City Council Interviews: Provisionally scheduled for week commencing 26th January 2026 and 2nd February 2026.
NB: These dates may be subject to change.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
Join a dynamic team delivering high-quality childcare and an engaging Early Years curriculum, supporting children’s holistic development and helping to shape their futures while gaining valuable experience in a nurturing and professional environment.
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a Little Owls Nursery and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
An apprenticeship includes regular training with Leeds City College. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
Skills and Qualifications
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Commitment
- Trustworthy and reliable
- Punctual and hardworking
Qualifications
GCSE in English (grade C / 4) and desirable Maths (grade C / 4)
What you’ll do at work
- To support the team to provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
- To support the team to provide a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum that will meet the requirements of relevant national and local standards.
- To learn how to follow Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and implement that learning in the workplace.
To learn to observe and monitor children’s development and contribute to written reports of their progress and to implement that learning in the workplace. - To follow the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury complying with Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (West Yorkshire Consortium Procedure Manual).
- To understand and support Leeds City Council and Departmental Policies including these on Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety.
- To undertake other duties commensurate to the post or grade as required by the Department.
- To undertake the accountabilities of the post in accordance with Council policies including the Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety policies.
How to apply
Applications are through Leeds City College. Please click on the link below for the online application page:
Vacancy 1 - Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprentice – Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
Vacancy 2 - Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Apprentice – Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Andrea Smith (Support Services Manager) on: 0113 3784516
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Leeds City Council Job Profile
Special conditions this post is subject to a higher level check with the Disclosure & Barring Service. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.
Job purpose To support the provision of a stimulating and effective Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, which will enhance children’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual development. To support the provision of high quality child care that meets the professional inspection standards.
Qualifications GCSE English C/4 or equivalent
Responsibilities
- To support the team to provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
- To support the team to provide a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum that will meet the requirements of relevant national and local standards.
- To learn how to follow Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational needs (SEN) and implement that learning in the workplace.
- To observe and monitor children’s development and contribute to written reports of their progress and to implement that learning in the workplace.
- To follow the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury complying with Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (West Yorkshire Consortium Procedure Manual)
- To refer parents and families for support where necessary.
- To report any injury or accident ensuring that health and safety of the individual is maintained.
- If necessary, to take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
- To support the team to provide educational visits for children and families, observing Health and Safety policies.
- To understand and support Leeds City Council and Departmental Policies including these on Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety
- To undertake other duties commensurate to the post or grade as required by the Department.
- To undertake the accountabilities of the post in accordance with Council policies including the Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety policies.
- To maintain client confidentiality.
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
