Early Years Nursery Practitioner

Durham University; North East; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension

Employee discounts

Job summary

Durham University Day Nursery is seeking a Nursery Practitioner to join our EYFS team. The role focuses on delivering high‑quality early years provision for children aged 0–5 in a supportive, inclusive setting.

You will work on a shift pattern, support families, and contribute to safeguarding and child development in line with EYFS standards. DBS check is required, and the post is full‑time/permanent with open hours.

Qualifications

• EYFS experience in a nursery setting.
• Plan and lead engaging activities for 0–5 years.
• Maintains records of children’s progress and learning.
• Attend monthly meetings and training evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver a stimulating range of indoor and outdoor activities for children aged 0-5 years.
• Maintain accurate records of children’s progress and learning in line with the EYFS.
• Attend monthly meetings and training sessions on evenings and occasional weekends.

Skills

Experience with EYFS

Childcare experience

Teamwork

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Education

Enhanced DBS Check

Tools

Office software

Job description

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]

Early Years Nursery Practitioner (Job Number: 26001308)

HR & OD

Grade 4 : - £18,460 - £19,023.57 which is pro rata to the full-time salary of £25,844 - £26,633 per annum

Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time

Working Arrangements : Hours between 7.45am - 6.15pm

Closing Date

04-Oct-2026, 10:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Please note that the successful applicant will require DBS disclosure. Further info: https://bit.ly/3DP5K8y

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department

The nursery practitioner position is to work in an “outstanding” nursery with children aged 0-5years. We are a large setting split into four rooms, we have an excellent partnership with our families and are seeking someone with experience and enthusiasm to join our nursery team. The position is for a Nursery practitioner role and we are looking for candidates with experience of working with children aged 0-5 years.

At Durham University Day Nursery we aim to provide high quality childcare in a safe secure and stimulating environment for children from 0 to 5. We aim to operate in partnership with parents, helping children to be happy, independent and well-adjusted emotionally and socially. Our Nursery aims to promote self-confidence and a positive attitude to learning in all children whatever their gender, ethnicity, home language, special educational needs, disability or ability. We aim to offer a broad, balanced and diverse curriculum where learning will be fun and will provide basic skills for the future. We recognise that every child is unique and aim to assist all children to attain their maximum development potential by paying attention to their individual needs. We aim to support students and staff of Durham University with parental responsibilities, in order that they can achieve their goals at study or at work. Please note that we also welcome non-Durham University staff/students.

The Nursery Practitioner has key responsibilities for ensuring the quality of early years provision is embedded under the EYFS and ensuring safeguarding is paramount.

• This post requires shift work: Monday to Friday, between 7:45am and 6:15pm.
• This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check.
• Plan and lead on engaging activities to provide and deliver a stimulating range of indoor and outdoor activities for children aged 0-5 years
• Maintaining accurate records of children’s progress and learning in line with the EYFS
• There will be a requirement to attend monthly meetings and training sessions on evenings and occasional weekends.

Working at Durham

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under‑represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Typical Role Requirements

Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Provide an excellent and timely service to your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.
• Use your experience and problem‑solving skills to investigate and resolve routine issues with things relevant to your role and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions.
• Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team.
• When carrying out your role, use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards.
• Use standard office‑based devices and applications such as word, excel and power point, business systems to deliver services.
• Update guidance on standard operating procedures followed by the team.
• Understand and apply recognised industry standards e.g. customer service to enhance the level of service being delivered.
• As required, record, collate, store and report data and information related to children’s development, level and uptake of services, and quality of experience, and provide reports as required to team members and more experienced staff.
• Follow EYFS Statutory Framework at all times ensuring a high quality curriculum is delivered with a balance of both child initiated and adult led activities.
• Contribute to OFSTED inspections and have an understanding of the OFSTED requirements.
• Safeguard children ensuring policies and procedures are followed and adhered to at all times.
• Be aware of the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy and committed to implementing this across the childcare service and respect confidentiality at all times following the nursery policy and procedure.

Follow Health and Safety Policy and Procedures

• Maintain a safe and secure working environment in line with University Health and Safety procedures.
• Report any maintenance defects, accidents and near misses to the Line Manager.
• Maintain personal hygiene and appearance to an exceptional standard and in line with standard operating procedures.
• Ensure all relevant paperwork required is completed and daily risk assessments are completed.

Teamwork and Supervision

• Support and ensure tasks are completed in a tinley manner .
• Support and explain systems and procedures to new starters and provide advice and guidance when required so that they know how to carry out their role.
• Help and support your colleagues to organise, plan and prepare for events/meetings and contribute to team planning activities.
• Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of room lead or manager
• Work with team members to ensure the timeliness and relevance of the service we deliver in partnership with parents, colleagues and outside agencies. Communication/Networking

Communication/Liaison

• Seek feedback from staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met.
• Liaise with staff in nursery to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
• Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.
• Provide guidance to parents around the EYFS with the use of and access to resources and equipment.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links

If you would like further information you may find the following will help Durham University Day Nursery - Durham University

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website .

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]

Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Kim Roberts would be happy to speak to you. [e-mail] 0191 3348153