Level 2 Playworker Apprenticeship

Summary

Being an apprentice at NextStep Training means earning while you learn, gaining hands-on experience and industry-recognised qualifications. You'll receive expert training, personalised support, and a clear pathway to career progression. Enjoy discounted travel, exclusive discounts at over 350 retailers and reduced council tax.

Wage

£6,656 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Playworker (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday, working hours TBC.

16 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 2026

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

4

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Assist in planning and delivering engaging, age-appropriate activities
• Promote learning through play in line with the framework
• Create a safe and stimulating environment
• Help maintain clean, safe, and welcoming learning spaces
• Follow safeguarding and health & safety procedures at all times
• Observe and monitor children's progress
• Record observations and contribute to assessments and development plans
• Share relevant information with senior staff and parents as needed
• Promote positive behaviour and social skills
• Encourage kindness, sharing, and respectful behaviour
• Use positive reinforcement and model appropriate conduct
• Assist with daily routines
• Support children during mealtimes, toileting, dressing, and nap times
• Help establish consistent routines for comfort and stability
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and parents
• Communicate effectively with team members, children, and families
• Participate in staff meetings and training sessions
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and follow data protection policies
• Follow nursery/setting policies and procedures
• Adhere to guidelines for safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and diversity
• Support in ensuring the setting meets regulatory and quality standards

Where you'll work

218 Tollgate Road
London
E6 5YA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

NEXTSTEP TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Playworker (level 2)

What you'll learn

• Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
• Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
• Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
• Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
• Contribute to play audits.
• Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
• Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
• Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
• Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
• Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
• Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
• Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
• Contribute to health and safety checks.
• Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
• Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
• Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
• Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
• Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
• Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
• Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
• Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
• Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
• Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
• Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
• Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.
• Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
• Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
• Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
• Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
• Contribute to play audits.
• Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
• Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
• Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
• Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
• Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
• Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
• Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
• Contribute to health and safety checks.
• Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
• Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
• Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
• Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
• Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
• Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
• Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
• Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
• Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
• Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
• Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
• Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.

Training schedule

• As an apprentice, you'll receive regular training alongside your job to help you develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed for your role
• Some of your working hours will be dedicated to off-the-job training, which includes study time, workshops, and learning activities. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the occupational standard
• You'll be working to complete the Level 2 Playworker apprenticeship standard, which will include any required Functional Skills in English and maths
• Training is delivered either online or in person at our training centre in Hackney, offering flexibility to suit your needs
• You'll be supported by experienced tutors and assessors throughout your apprenticeship, ensuring you stay on track and successfully complete your qualification
• Training will include a paediatric first aid qualification

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English/Functional (grade G4)
• Maths/Functional (grade G4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience