Childcare Practitioner

NHS; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking a full-time Childcare Practitioner at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. The role involves using individualized approaches to enhance children's skills, ensuring high-quality service in a nurturing environment, and providing support to parents and staff. Candidates should have a Level 3 Childcare qualification and experience with children under 5. The position offers a salary between £24,937 and £26,598 a year, along with a range of employee benefits including a generous holiday allowance and access to employee health and wellbeing services.

Benefits

NHS pension plan

Generous holiday allowance

Employee health and wellbeing services

Onsite nurseries

Childcare vouchers

Qualifications

• Level 3 Childcare qualification required.
• Experience working with children under 5.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

Responsibilities

• Build upon children's existing skills and introduce new experiences.
• Ensure the safety and security of the nursery.
• Communicate regularly with parents regarding children's welfare.

Skills

Child development understanding

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Level 3 in Childcare Qualification

English GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent

Paediatric First Aid

Food Safety Certificate Level 2

Tools

Tablet/PC observation system

Job description

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team at Abacus Nursery as a full time Childcare Practitioner.

You will be required:

• To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
• To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the children's cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
• To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
• Day to day safety and security of the nursery including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
• Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted.
• Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the children's welfare, development and health and social care.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Main Duties

• Maintain a professional appearance in line with the Trust dress code.
• Uphold the Trusts values and behaviours (available on the Trust web site) and behave in a manner fitting with the responsible position of the role, maintaining the public confidence.
• Maintain professional and courteous working relationships with staff and respect the equality and diversity of each and every person he/she comes into contact within the course of his/her business.
• Uphold the privacy and dignity of the client group and respect equality at all times.
• To have an understanding and work within the guidelines of Ofsted's Statutory Framework for Early Years and the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.
• To participate in team/individual planning and evaluation of children's individual development needs, play and learning activities.
• To ensure the environment is rich, stimulating and sensitive to the children's cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
• To ensure the daily routines are adhered to and participate in all appropriate arrangements.
• Record and maintain children's observation and assessment records using a digital record system programme and IPad.
• Sharing the child's development and assessment records with the parents.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

About Us

We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff members work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). Committed to continuous improvement, we prioritise our people and values so we can deliver excellent patient experience. Our team is friendly, passionate and always seeking better ways to work through research and innovation. We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces for honest conversations and to share ideas, thoughts and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. As a member of the team, you will have access to the NHS pension plan, a generous holiday allowance, employee health and wellbeing services and extensive benefits and support. These include onsite nurseries, childcare vouchers,home electronics schemes, working carers support, carer-friendly policies, and more. If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.

Location & Details

Pinderfields Hospital, Aberford Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 4DG

Date posted: 19 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 000891

Qualifications

• English GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent.
• Level 3 in Childcare Qualification.
• Paediatric First Aid.
• Food Safety Certificate Level 2.

Experience

• Post qualifying work experience with under 5’s.
• Experience of working with a tablet/PC observation and assessment record system.

Knowledge and Awareness

• Knowledge of the Ofsted’s Statutory Framework for Early Years and the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
• Knowledge of the Prevent Duty.
• Awareness of own limitations.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety regulations relating to a childcare environment.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer Details

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust

Pinderfields Hospital, Aberford Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 4DG

Website: https://www.midyorks.nhs.uk/