Apprentice Nursery Practitioner

Job ID
Job ID 78013
Team
Team Business Operations
Location
Location Leicester
Contract Type
Contract Type Perm
Job Schedule
Job Schedule Full time
Salary
Salary £10-£12.71 per hour
Posting Date
Posting Date 28/10/2026
Apply Before
Apply Before 18/11/2026
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Summary

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

What's Next?

Team Overview

Business Operations connects people, product and process. These teams make everyday work easier for stores, warehouses and offices so customers get a seamless experience.

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Our brands

You’ve probably heard of NEXT, but did you know about our portfolio? Every brand in our offering brings a distinct story, attitude and community. Spanning contemporary lifestyle brands, established high street names and timeless collections, together they showcase the vibrancy of today’s retail world.

About NEXT

Think you know NEXT? We’re more than your favourite High Street store. We’re a global FTSE-100 brand powered by 44,000+ people across 80 countries. We believe true progress comes from the initiative of the many, not just the guidance of a few. That’s why we give everyone the room to take decisions, challenge the status quo, and push boundaries every single day. Here, everybody makes a difference, and we do it all by being open, honest, and decent. Whatever your ambition, let's take it on.

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Are you ready to take it on?

Challenges. Opportunities. The future. Let’s take it on at NEXT. 

Bring your energy

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Three colleagues smiling and working together at a table, looking at laptops, with visible NEXT branded lanyards and a modern office setting.
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