Job Description

The Role:

We have a great opportunity for an Apprentice Nursery Practitioner to join the team at Next Steps Nursery at NEXT Head Office in Leicestershire. You will embark on a rewarding journey to gain the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to qualify as a Level 3 Nursery Practitioner. You will play a vital role in creating a high-quality, caring, and stimulating environment where children can flourish emotionally, socially, and educationally.

Working as part of an encouraging team, you will provide individual attention and lead engaging group activities to ensure every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn. Dedicated time during your working hours will be provided to help you complete your college assignments.

What You'll Take On:

• Work under supervision to provide all aspects of day-to-day care for young children, ensuring an inclusive environment that caters to individual needs,
• backgrounds, and developmental stages.
• Gain practical experience with the Nursery curriculum and Development Matters, building an awareness of purposeful early years planning.
• Learn and undertake the key person role, building strong interactions with children and keeping accurate developmental records.
• Work collaboratively alongside staff, maintain exceptional standards of hygiene and cleanliness, and adhere strictly to nursery policies, health and safety, and emergency procedures.
• Build confident, positive relationships with parents and carers to help children reach their full potential.
• Attend all mandatory training, submit college coursework on time, and maintain a proactive, enthusiastic attitude toward your professional development.

What You'll Bring:

• A genuine interest in childcare is essential. Prior experience working with children under five and qualifications in Maths and English are preferred.
• Confident in communicating with children, colleagues, parents, and carers with zero ego and a collaborative mindset.
• Highly organised, proactive, and self-motivated with excellent time-keeping skills and the ability to work independently.
• Able to stay calm under pressure, use your initiative, and maintain high standards of health and safety at all times.
• A genuine passion for early years development and a commitment to personal growth and continuous learning.

Benefits:

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Nursery attendance bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

#LI-CG1 #LI-Onsite

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 44,000 people across the Next group. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 450 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 80 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!