Baby Room Practitioner

Abacus Ark Nursery Schools; Tooting; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4-Day Working Week

32 Days Annual Leave

Medical Cashback Plan

Training & Career Development

Progression opportunities

New site openings

Company pension

Ongoing professional development

Leadership development opportunities

Mentorship from early years experts

Job summary

Abacus Ark Nursery in Southfields (SW18) is seeking a Home from Home Senior Key Teacher for the Baby Room. This full-time, 4-day week role requires Level 3+ qualification and experience in a baby room to lead the Home from Home space, track progress and engage families.

You will play a key role in safeguarding, wellbeing, and creating a welcoming, child-centered environment while working with leadership to maintain high standards and drive career development.

Qualifications

• Level 3 CACHE/NVQ qualification in Childcare or equivalent.
• Experience in a baby room setting.
• Right to work in the UK before employment.
• Ability to obtain an enhanced DBS check (paid by us).
• Ability to provide references.
• Strong safeguarding and health & safety knowledge.
• Passionate about baby sensory, messy play and caregiving.
• Organised, proactive and capable of settling children and leading a room.
• Excellent teamwork and communication.
• Committed to high-quality childcare and learning experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Home from Home room and support children through early learning with engaging activities.
• Build trusting relationships with parents and carers and guide settling-in.
• Support and mentor team, working closely with leadership to maintain high standards.
• Promote safeguarding, wellbeing, and a collaborative team culture.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Organisation

Passion for babies

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Level 3 CACHE/NVQ in Childcare

Job description

Job Title

Home from Home Senior Key Teacher (under 18months) (Level 3+ Qualified only)

Full-Time | 4-Day Week
Location: Southfields (new setting SW18 - close to station)
Full-Time, Permanent – 40 Hours Over 4 Days
Salary: £32,100–£34,500 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience.

Join a family run nursery where you're truly valued. We're looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Senior key Teacher to join our growing team, working. If you're passionate about babies and early years education and want to work somewhere that values your wellbeing and career development, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Join Abacus Ark Nursery?

• 4-Day Working Week - Work full-time hours across just 4 days and enjoy 3 days off every week for better work-life balance.
• 32 Days Annual Leave (24 days holidays + 8 Bank Holidays)
• Medical Cashback Plan - Health Shield plan worth over £1,000 per year (including GP Anytime, health screening, health cash plans, MyGymDiscounts, SkinVision, online health assessments, massages, dental, optical and more)
• Training & Career Development - including specialised training and support/funding with enrolling onto further qualifications
• Progression opportunities within the company
• New site openings - further opportunities available

We Invest Heavily In Our Team With

• Blue Light Card access with major high street stores/food/cinema/holiday/travel discounts (various discounts between 10-20% off)
• Long service rewards
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Annual inset training days (fun & interactive)
• Team social events and celebrations
• Company pension
• Ongoing professional development
• Leadership development opportunities
• Supportive team culture and mentorship from experienced early years professionals
• Inclusive and positive working environment
• First aid and safeguarding training

As a Senior Key Teacher, you’ll take the lead in the 'Home from Home' room, supporting children through their early learning journey with engaging, hands-on activities. You will provide a safe, welcoming 'home from home' feel, and inclusive space where children can thrive, while tracking their progress and celebrating their development.

You’ll build strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers guiding them through the settling in process, support and guide your team, and work closely with leadership to keep standards high.

You’ll also play a key role in promoting safeguarding, wellbeing, and a positive, collaborative team culture where everyone feels valued and supported.

What We're Looking For

• Level 3 CACHE/NVQ qualification in Childcare or equivalent
• Previous experience working within a baby room
• Right to work in the UK before employment commences.
• Ability to obtain an enhanced DBS check (paid for by us)
• Ability to provide references
• Good understanding of safeguarding and health & safety requirements
• Someone passionate & enthusiastic about baby sensory, messy play & caregiving
• Someone organised, proactive and confident in settling children and leading a room
• A strong communicator with excellent teamwork skills
• Committed to providing exceptional childcare and learning experiences

Desirable

• Higher qualification in childcare or education
• Experience in a senior practitioner or room leader role

Abacus Ark Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references, right-to-work checks and safer recruitment procedures.

Company Overview

We strive in everything we do:

• To provide each child with a unique and safe experience tailored and delivered to their individual needs.
• To provide each parent with an experience which is underpinned by two-way communication and expert support.
• To provide each practitioner with an experience underpinned by development opportunities, wellbeing and personal satisfaction.

Abacus Ark Values

These Underpin Everything We Do

• Partnership - Effective and positive Partnership is seeking to ensure the group as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
• Awareness - Show concern and be well informed of situations or developments that are relevant to your role.
• Creativity - A mind open to possibilities.
• Thrive - Ambition for growth and development