Careers

We are looking for a dedicated Nursery Practitioner to join our preschool team, working under the guidance of the Room Leader and Nursery Manager. You will play a key role in providing a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.

The ideal candidate will have a calm, caring, and empathetic nature, with a genuine passion for supporting children under the age of 5. You should enjoy working collaboratively as part of a team, while also being confident in managing responsibilities independently and working under pressure when needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the planning and delivery of the curriculum, drawing on both the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Montessori principles.
• Help prepare the playroom(s) for daily activities and ensure the space is tidied and maintained to a high standard.
• Act as a key person for a small group of children, building strong relationships with parents/carers and tailoring care to meet individual needs.
• Communicate any concerns regarding children, parents, or equipment promptly and appropriately, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Provide engaging teaching and play experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, and learning.
• Ensure children’s safety and wellbeing are prioritised at all times, keeping accurate records and following safeguarding procedures where necessary.
• Take an active role in team meetings, supervisions, appraisals, and training opportunities.
• Adhere to all setting policies and procedures, including those relating to health and safety, safeguarding, fire safety, hygiene, and food safety.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

We are looking for a motivated and passionate individual with the following:

• Early Years qualification: Minimum Level 2/3 in Early Years Education and Childcare (or equivalent), with a commitment to further professional development at Level 3/4/5.
• Montessori training: A Montessori qualification or Diploma is highly desirable.
• Experience: Previous experience working with young children in a nursery or preschool setting.
• Child development knowledge: Strong understanding of child development from birth to five years.
• Curriculum knowledge: Familiarity with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and an appreciation of Montessori, play-based learning approaches.
• Safeguarding awareness: Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding procedures.
• Strong communication: Excellent verbal, written, and IT skills for effective interaction with children, colleagues, and parents.
• Team player: Ability to work collaboratively, respecting and supporting the nursery’s ethos and Montessori philosophy of child-centred education.

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Purpose of the post

• To work under the direction of the Management team.
• To ensure all children are safeguarded and their welfare and safety is promoted.
• To support the aims and objectives of the nursery and assist the management team in the organisation of a high-quality establishment for children from birth to five years.
• To provide high standards of care and early learning – to include the monitoring and review of provision, this includes providing a safe, caring environment to enable the personal, emotional, social and educational development of children, through individual attention and group activities.
• To support the team in order to provide an enabling environment in which all individual children can play, learn and develop.
• To support staff and create a culture of teamwork.
• To ensure all children in the nursery have equal life chances, are able to meet their own potential, and have equality of opportunities in their learning, development and care.
• To give support to other team members throughout the nursery to support children’s additional needs and to support the nursery management team with all aspects of supporting children.

Responsible to

• Nursery Manager
• Deputy Manager
• Early Years Practicioner

Main Duties

• To promote the aims and objectives of the nursery.
• To promote the high standards of the nursery at all times to parents, staff and visitors.
• To ensure the provision of high standards of physical, personal, social and emotional care.
• To be part of a team of professional workers and to ensure good practice at all times.
• To follow the nursery safeguarding procedure to ensure all children are kept safe, well and secure and ensure all team members are able to do the same.
• To assist with the preparation and maintenance of materials and equipment.
• To be responsible for the health and safety standards appropriate for the needs of young children and ensuring staff compliance and awareness.
• To ensure high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times.
• To ensure the provision of a high-quality environment to meet the needs of individual children regardless of any disabilities, family backgrounds or medical history.
• To ensure confidentiality of all information received and shared.
• To fully support the induction of new team members.
• Liaise with parents, other family members and staff to help ensure that the particular needs of children are met and that parental choice is considered in terms of care given.
• To liaise with outside agencies as required.
• To be involved in the occasional out of working hours activities, e.g. training, planning meetings, monthly staff meetings, parents evening, fundraising events etc.

What we are offering:

• Up to £19,760 per annum, full-time, permanent position (nursery opening times: 07:45–18:15).
• Performance bonus + additional Ofsted Outstanding bonus.
• Up to 32 days holiday a year, including bank holidays (up to 8 days are predetermined by nursery closure over Christmas).
• Funding and paid time off for EYTT/EY Degrees/Leadership training.
• 5 days full sick pay, 2 days dependents leave, and 5 days compassionate leave.
• Training opportunities including 2 inset days per year.
• 10% childcare discount.

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