Early Years Educator

NHS Jobs; Exeter; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

NHS Pension scheme

Park & ride service

Staff discounts

Job summary

First Steps NHS Nursery in Exeter is seeking a Room Lead / Early Years Educator to support a nurturing learning environment and deliver high-quality care. You will draw on Foundation Stage knowledge to guide the team and engage children across indoor and outdoor spaces.

The role offers a rewarding NHS context, with opportunities to lead practice, collaborate with colleagues, and develop skills within a larger nursery team on the Wonford site in Exeter.

Qualifications

• Experience in Early Years settings with Foundation Stage knowledge.
• Ability to lead a room and plan inclusive activities.
• Experience in developing staff and delivering a programme of learning.

Responsibilities

• Create nurturing environment and deliver high standards of care and education.
• Plan, deliver and reflect on activities to support learning and development.
• Keep accurate records of children's progress and share updates with parents.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and raise concerns promptly.
• Support other Childcare Services provision as required.

Skills

Early years education

Child development

Leadership

Job description

More detail about the role Are you an experienced Room Lead ready for a new challenge or an Early Years Educator looking for the next step in your career? Join our Ofsted Outstanding rated First Steps NHS Nursery team! Wed love to hear from Early Years Educators with a passion for nurturing and developing children and your colleagues as they grow. In return, we offer a rewarding career, working in amazing facilities, where you can make a difference to the children of NHS colleagues, plus youll receive a brilliant package of benefits. We care for up to 129 children a day in five rooms with access to our different outdoor play spaces which include: a large Astroturf area a spacious woodland area an extensive full enclosed grass area Were open for our: Breakfast club 7.00am 8.00am Core hours are 8.00am 6.00pm As a Room Lead, Early Years Educator, youll use your creative flare and organisation skills to support your team to deliver a brilliant programme of fun, inclusive, learning activities for the children around their interests and care needs. Drawing upon your knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum to develop the skills of the team within your room. Youll encourage the use of our fantastic outdoor spaces to benefit the children by experiencing different environments and developing their sense of the world and themselves. The working day is extremely rewarding and involves both child and adult led learning opportunities with the children. Examples of these activities including sharing stories, dressing up, messy play, games, and above all, instilling a sense of fun!

Key duties

Be part of the team that creates a nurturing Help create a nurturing environment and Could your next chapter be full of stories, discovery and play? Join our Ofsted Outstanding First Steps NHS Nursery as an Early Years Educator. Whether you have worked in a nursery, preschool, school or childminding setting, we would love to hear from you. We welcome Early Years Educators, nursery practitioners, teaching assistants and teachers with early years experience who meet the requirements in the person specification. Bring your skills to a spacious, playful setting where you can help children explore and grow while supporting the NHS colleagues who trust us with their care. As an Early Years Educator, you will create warm, responsive relationships with children and plan inclusive experiences around their interests, care needs and stage of development. You will use your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage alongside colleagues, making full use of our outdoor spaces and everyday moments to support childrens communication, curiosity and independence. Are you a teacher with early years experience looking for a setting where you can spend meaningful time with children? Wed also love to hear from teaching assistants, nursery practitioners, preschool educators and childminders. Youll use your skills to notice what interests each child, extend their play through conversation and create experiences that help them feel confident, curious and ready to explore.

Key duties

• Help create a nurturing environment and deliver high standards of care and education.
• Plan, deliver and reflect on experiences that support childrens learning and development.
• Keep accurate records of childrens progress and care, and share updates with parents and carers.
• Share ideas with colleagues and keep developing your knowledge and practice.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and raise concerns promptly.
• Support other Childcare Services provision as required.

About you

We welcome qualified Early Years Educators and teachers with early years experience who want to work closely with children through play. Please check the person specification for the qualifications required for this post. You build trusting relationships with children and families, notice what sparks childrens interest and enjoy working with a supportive team. You are keen to keep learning and growing in your practice. Youll be supported by our experienced Nursery Manager and service leadership team who are passionate about Early Years Education and developing their team. Youll be joining Early Years Apprentices, Educators, Room Leads, SENDCOs and Deputy Managers. Our five most important team members are our Axolotls Phil, Lizzie, Goldie, Speckles and Freckles who meet and greet everyone each day. Each room also has a fish tank which provides a calming spot for children to relax, share a story or even a song!

Why join us?

We can offer an extensive package of benefits. Working for the Royal Devon provides you with a whole host of additional benefits including:

• A 37.5 hour working week for full-time (2.5 hours a week less than other settings)
• Hours condensed over four days, giving you more free time (part-time also considered)
• Access to brilliant discounts on big name brands and local companies, plus in our onsite cafes, restaurants, and shop
• Fantastic holiday allowance 27 days if working a standard 5-day working week, that increases with service and bank holidays
• The chance to buy additional holiday
• Salary sacrifice schemes to make your money work harder, including nursery fees, cycle to work, and more
• Youll be provided with a free uniform
• Stagecoach discount for travel to work and free park & ride services
• Social events and planned activities
• Access to the generous NHS Pension scheme
• A healthy work-life balance is essential and Devon is a great place to enjoy it.

The working hours for this role are condensed over four days, providing the children with a consistent team during a day and you with free time! A great place to live and work the nursery is found on our Wonford site in Exeter, with lots of different options for travelling to work. We offer a free park & ride service, a park & walk service, plus regular bus services, and secure bicycle storage. Exeter is a vibrant city and has lots to offer which the team make the most of when they organise social events. Career progression at your pace being a larger setting means we can support you to increase your skills and experience. Whether thats by working with different age groups or through funded training and development, youll be able to thrive and grow in your career.

Working pattern

Full-time is 37.5 hours per week, usually condensed over four full days between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Part-time full-day patterns may be considered.

Interview Date

To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Rachel Berriman, Nursery Manager on 01392 405858

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team. This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there. Looking after you is important to us. We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies. If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays. You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups. Salary is not the only financial benefit You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.