Playworker Apprenticeship

Summary

We’re excited to offer a chance to join the AJK Sports team, working with local communities, schools, and holiday camps. In this role, you'll support and care for children during play. If you're passionate about making a positive impact, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

Wage

£11,440 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Playworker (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, shifts between 8.00am and 6.00pm.

27 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

3

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

The apprentice will assist with the daily running of wraparound care sessions including breakfast clubs and after-school clubs in primary schools.

Working closely with the Site Lead and wider team, the apprentice will help create a safe, welcoming and engaging environment where children can participate in play activities that support their wellbeing and development.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Assist with planning and delivering engaging play activities
• Support the daily running of breakfast and after-school clubs
• Help set up play spaces and equipment
• Provide refreshments following hygiene and safety procedures
• Collect children from school and ensure safe handover to parents/carers
• Support children’s wellbeing and participation in activities
• Maintain a safe and welcoming environment
• Communicate with parents, staff and school representatives

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• The Firs, Brill, Aylesbury, HP18 9RY
• Greenway, Chesham, HP5 2BY
• Church Lane, Bledlow Ridge, High Wycombe, HP14 4AZ

Training

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

Training provider

THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD

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

We will arrange your training to fit around your schedule. The training will be delivered online, with tutor sessions held bi-weekly via Teams.

• You will receive a Level 2 Playworker Apprenticeship Standard qualification
• The training will include online courses, webinars, classroom-based sessions, and on-site visits in the workplace
• If you do not have existing qualifications in maths and English, you will need to attend Functional Skills sessions alongside your apprenticeship

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade A*-C/4-9)
• Maths (grade A*-C/4-9)

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

Skills

• Communication skills
• Creative
• Customer care skills
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Organisation skills
• Patience
• Problem solving skills
• Team working

Other requirements

Essential:

• Applicants must be 18 or over due to staffing ratios within schools and Ofsted regulations
• Experience working with children aged 4-11 (paid or voluntary)
• Ability to create safe, fun and inclusive play opportunities
• Ability to work as part of a team and support the Site Lead
• Understanding of safeguarding and promoting children’s wellbeing
• Enthusiasm, energy and passion for working with children

Desirable:

• Level 2 qualification in childcare
• Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene or Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain)
• Basic IT skills for club administration