Early Years Educator

Loughborough; Loughborough; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Birthday leave

Discounted nursery fees

Campus gym access

Free parking

Free meal

Pension scheme

Job summary

Loughborough University Nursery is seeking an Early Years Educator to join our caring, values-led team. You will plan engaging activities and deliver learning aligned with the EYFS framework, supporting children aged 0-5 and collaborating with families.

The role offers a full-time, 37.5 hour week, with a generous benefits package and opportunities for professional development. Successful applicants will have a Level 3 Early Years qualification and demonstrate strong communication and planning

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children aged 0-5 in an early years setting.
• Strong communication, planning and organisational skills.
• Sound understanding of the EYFS framework, child development and safeguarding practices.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging learning experiences aligned with the EYFS framework, leading small group activities and modelling high-quality interactions.
• Observe, assess, and document children’s development to inform planning and next steps.
• Champion inclusive practice and adapt environments to meet diverse needs.
• Take responsibility for a specific area of learning or specialism (e.g. communication, outdoor learning, SEND).
• Build strong, respectful relationships with children and families.
• Contribute to team planning, reflective practice, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor our Foundation Practitioners and students as appropriate.

Skills

Communication skills

Planning skills

Organisational skills

EYFS knowledge

Education

Level 3 qualification in Early Years

Job description

The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment - to create better futures, together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritized groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.

We recognise the value of a fulfilling and balanced work and personal life which promotes wellbeing. We seek to support colleagues in achieving this balance and have family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and many roles can be suitable for dynamic working arrangement. This includes considering applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer—so much so that we go beyond the standard, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage .

Loughborough University is a UKVI Sponsor. Some individuals may require sponsorship to enable them to apply for a visa to provide them with the right to work in the UK. Please note certain roles are not eligible for sponsorship. For further information and eligibility please visit the UKVI website .

Job details

Job title Early Years Educator Job reference REQ260620 Date posted 24/08/2026 Application closing date 13/11/2026 Location Loughborough Package £27,259.77 per annum

Hours of work: Full time position working 37.5 hours per week, between the hours of 7.30am and 6pm.

Rate of pay: £27,259.77 per annum

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Paid leave day for your birthday
• Discounted nursery fees
• Free access to our on-campus gym and pool facilities at Burleigh Springs
• Free car parking
• Free meal
• Enrolment intocompany pension scheme

Are you a creative and caring early years professional who believes in the power of play, the importance of children's voices, and the value of inclusive education?

We are looking for an Early Years Educator to join our exceptional team. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a nurturing, values-led environment where your expertise and ideas will be celebrated and your professional growth supported.

Your Role

As an Early Years Educator, you will:

• Plan and deliver engaging learning experiences aligned with the EYFS framework, leading small group activities and modelling high-quality interactions that promote curiosity and independence.
• Observe, assess, and document children’s development to inform planning and next steps.
• Champion inclusive practice and adapt environments to meet diverse needs.
• Take responsibility for a specific area of learning or specialism (e.g. communication, outdoor learning, SEND).
• Build strong, respectful relationships with children and families.
• Contribute to team planning, reflective practice, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor our Foundation Practitioners and students as appropriate.

About You

You must have experience of working with children aged 0-5 in an early years setting, with a Level 3 qualification in Early Years or equivalent.

We are looking for an individual with strong communication, planning and organisational skills, who has a sound understanding of the EYFS framework, child development and safeguarding practice.

You will be supported in your role and work alongside a passionate team in a well-resourced nursery that values your expertise and ideas.

Successful appointment is subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.

About Us

Recently rated outstanding by OFSTED in all aspects, our vision is simple…to build a world class nursery that consistently delivers fabulous learning, play and fun. At Loughborough University Nursery, we bring families and children together – to create a place where children love to be. We deliver an exemplary service that respects and honours the needs of every child, celebrates their contribution, and builds on our key values of care, education, and play.

Our 100-place nursery is found in the heart of campus providing education and care to the children of university employees, students, and the local community. We are a diverse and vibrant community recognised for our excellence in inclusion, teaching, and learning.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and expect our employees to share this commitment.

We are part of the Imago Venues family, and we contribute to making Imago Venues a fabulous place to work. We care about our people and we’re kind to each other. We’re ambitious, ethical, sustainable and, most importantly, we’re accountable.

We take workplace engagement seriously and are proud to have been awarded the Best Companies accreditation as very good to work for 2025.

If you would like to come and meet the team and look around the nursery, please contact us at [e-mail]

Come and join our fantastic team and be part of an outstanding university nursery with a reputation for excellence.

Closing date: 19 th September 2026