Early Years Educator – The Lodge Day Nursery

Local Government South East; Reading; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Life Assurance

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Flexible working

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is hiring an Early Years Educator for The Lodge Day Nursery in Reading. We seek warm, dedicated professionals to help create a safe, stimulating, inclusive environment for children aged 0-5.

Qualifications Level 2 or Level 3 in Childcare and Education are welcome, with support for career development. You will work as a key person, build strong relationships with families, deliver EYFS learning, observe progress, and promote welfare.

Qualifications

• Warm, committed professionals who enjoy working with young children.
• Qualified at Level 2 or Level 3 in Childcare and Education, or actively developing.
• Strong communication and inclusive approach.

Responsibilities

• Build positive relationships with children and families, helping children settle and thrive within nursery life.
• Provide high-quality care and learning opportunities in line with EYFS.
• Act as a Key Person, supporting children’s individual development and celebrating their achievements.
• Observe, monitor and record children’s progress and development.
• Create engaging, stimulating and inclusive learning environments that encourage curiosity and exploration.
• Promote positive behaviour through encouragement, guidance and role modelling.

Skills

Communication skills

Team player

Caring and patient

Education

Level 2 Childcare and Education

Level 3 Childcare and Education

Job description

Reading Borough Council At The Lodge Day Nursery, we believe every child deserves the very best start in life. We’re looking for caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Educator to join our friendly team and help create a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where children can learn through play, build confidence and reach their potential.

• Full Time
• Permanent
• Reading
• Posted 1 day ago
• £26,427 to £32,046 Per year £ / Year
• Closes: 29 November 2026

Website Reading Borough Council At The Lodge Day Nursery, we believe every child deserves the very best start in life. We’re looking for caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Educator to join our friendly team and help create a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where children can learn through play, build confidence and reach their potential. Whether you’re already qualified at Level 2 or Level 3 or looking to develop your career within a supportive setting, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to children aged 0-5 years while working as part of a passionate and experienced team. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About The Team

The Lodge is a well-established nursery providing high quality, affordable and free childcare to local families in Reading. The nursery is set out over three bright rooms which connect to a private garden space. Our local community is diverse with children attending our setting from a range of different backgrounds and with many different languages represented. Our educators are completely focused on ensuring that all children achieve and have an equal chance of success in an environment which is inclusive, inspiring, and nurturing. The children are very important and so is our team. We work closely with our educators to ensure that they continue to learn, develop, and share good practices. As an Early Years Educator, you’ll play a key role in supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing through responsive, in-the-moment teaching and nurturing interactions. You’ll help create engaging learning experiences, work closely with families and ensure every child feels valued, included and supported to succeed.

Working As Part Of Our Nursery Team, You’ll

• Build positive relationships with children and their families, helping children settle and thrive within nursery life.
• Provide high-quality care and learning opportunities in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Act as a Key Person, supporting children’s individual development and celebrating their achievements.
• Observe, monitor and record children’s progress and development.
• Create fun, stimulating and inclusive learning environments that encourage curiosity and exploration.
• Promote positive behaviour through encouragement, guidance and role modelling.
• Support children with additional needs and work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the right support is in place.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children at all times.
• Work closely with colleagues to deliver engaging activities that support children’s learning and development.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe, welcoming and inspiring nursery environment.

About You

We’re looking for warm, committed professionals who genuinely enjoy working with young children and understand the importance of those early years in shaping future success. You’ll be a team player with excellent communication skills and a passion for delivering outstanding care and education.

You’ll Ideally Have

• A Level 2 or Level 3 Childcare and Education qualification.
• Experience working in an early years or childcare setting.
• Good knowledge of child development and the needs of children from birth to five years.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• A caring, patient and inclusive approach.
• The ability to use your initiative and contribute positively as part of a team.
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality and delivering excellent outcomes for children.
• A willingness to continue learning and developing your practice and professional knowledge.

Benefits

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
• Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
• Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

Closing Date: Sunday 29th November 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Process: To be confirmed