Nursery Practitioner Apprentice

About the School - Akeley Wood Junior

Akeley Wood School is a dynamic and friendly place to work with opportunities for professional development. We educate around 700 children across three campuses and have a progressive approach to teaching and learning. We strive for a holistic education at Akeley wood and achieve this through the supportive environment and diverse breadth of learning and development within our School.

We look to recruit high calibre staff committed to achieving the highest standards and to actively take part in the school life.

The school now has an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Nursery Practitioner Apprentice to join our fantastic team. 

About Cognita

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

About the role

As a Nursery Practitioner Apprentice at Akeley Wood Junior, you will play a pivotal role in providing high-quality care and support for young children in our nurturing environment. Your primary responsibilities will include ensuring the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual well-being of the children in your care. You will assist in planning and preparing activities tailored to meet individual needs while adhering to our nursery’s policies and procedures. Working collaboratively with a dedicated team, you will engage with parents, participate in staff meetings, and contribute to various nursery initiatives, fostering a positive atmosphere for children to learn and grow. Your commitment to maintaining confidentiality and compliance with relevant safeguarding regulations will be crucial to creating a safe space for everyone.

This is a full-time, permanent position.

To view a full job description, click here.

Who we are looking for: 

We are seeking an enthusiastic and reliable individual who is passionate about working with young children. You should have a keen interest in their care, learning, and development, along with a commitment to providing high-quality childcare. Excellent communication skills, patience, and flexibility are essential, as you will be part of a close-knit team. Previous experience in childcare, whether voluntary or paid, will be beneficial, but more importantly, we want someone who is eager to learn and grow within the role.

Benefits at Cognita

• Competitive salary depending upon qualifications and experience 
• Aviva Pension Scheme
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave.
• Access to My Staff Shop - £1,000’s of savings to be made across the year.
• Cycle to Work scheme, operated through My Staff Shop.
• 24/7 wellbeing support through Cognita Health Assured, our Employee Assistance Program.
• Free school lunches
• A discount on fees for children at Akeley Wood School.

How to Apply

Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is: 27th July 2025.

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.