Location
New Malden (KT3 6LX)

Hours
Monday to Friday, varied shifts from 8am to 6pm, 30 hours per week over 4 days

Salary
£12,480 for the first year, with potential to increase depending on age

Start Date
1 October 2026

Duration
1 year

About the Role
Carousel Nursery in New Malden is offering an exciting opportunity to start or continue your childcare career while working towards a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification with Parenta Training. You’ll gain hands-on experience supporting children aged 0–5 while developing valuable skills for a rewarding career in early years education.

You will support children's learning and development through play and structured activities, help create a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment, and support children's care routines, wellbeing and independence. You’ll build positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues, observe children's progress and contribute to development records, and promote equality, inclusion and positive behaviour.

You will also be expected to follow safeguarding, child protection, health and safety and confidentiality procedures, report any concerns regarding children's welfare and work as part of a team to provide high-quality care and education.

Experience
No previous professional childcare experience is specified. Applicants should have a genuine passion for working with children and be committed to completing their apprenticeship qualification.

About You
You should have strong communication, organisation and teamwork skills, together with patience, creativity and a non-judgemental approach. You should be willing to learn, take initiative and develop your skills throughout the apprenticeship.

You must also be able to reliably travel to and from the nursery each day and demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and professional conduct.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical thinking
• Team working
• Creativity
• Initiative
• Non-judgemental approach
• Patience

Qualifications
You will work towards the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner apprenticeship qualification through Parenta Training.

The training will develop knowledge and skills in areas including:

• Supporting children's learning, development and wellbeing
• Safeguarding and child protection
• Health, safety, hygiene and infection control
• Supporting communication and language development
• Supporting early reading, writing and mathematical development
• Planning and delivering play and learning activities
• Observing, assessing and recording children's progress
• Supporting children with additional needs
• Working with parents, carers, colleagues and other professionals
• Supporting children through transitions and significant events
• Professional development through feedback, mentoring and supervision

Safeguarding & Checks

• Successful applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks
• Two satisfactory professional references required
• Enhanced DBS check
• Right to work checks
• Identity verification
• Qualification checks where applicable
• The role involves regular contact with children and may include regulated activity
• Successful candidates must fulfil safeguarding and child protection responsibilities and maintain professional conduct at all times

Training
Training will be delivered through workplace learning, regular progress reviews and ongoing support from a dedicated Parenta tutor. Off-the-job training will follow the allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard and will support the apprentice in developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to achieve the apprenticeship.

About the Employer
Carousel Day Nursery, Motspur Park, was founded in 1997 and is situated on the first floor of the Old Blues Rugby Club. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am (7:30am by request) to 6pm, 50 weeks of the year, and cares for children aged two to five years.

The nursery has a small team with varied qualifications ranging from Level 2 to Level 4, as well as nursery assistants. The team undertakes regular training to maintain up-to-date knowledge and quality practice.

Carousel promotes Cultural Capitals and aims to give children the best possible start to their education and future. The nursery evaluates its approach through the EYFS and focuses on creating ‘awe and wonder’ moments. Its curriculum is based on knowing each child, building on their individual experiences and providing a bespoke educational programme.

After the Apprenticeship
Successful apprentices may be offered a permanent position and have the opportunity to progress onto the Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship.

Additional Information

• Employer: Carousel Nursery
• Applications close: 30 September 2026 at 11:59pm