Early Years Practitioner

Buckingham Alliance Partners, Inc.; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a nurturing community as an Early Years Practitioner in a vibrant nursery setting. This role offers a chance to impact children's lives through engaging, child-led activities while working in a supportive team. Enjoy a competitive salary, a £500 new starter bonus, and opportunities for professional development. With a focus on play-based learning, you will help children thrive emotionally and socially in a bright, inspiring environment. If you are passionate about early years education and ready to make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

£500 New Starter Bonus

50% off childcare fees

Company Pension

Bupa Health Care Package

Referral Bonuses

Access to Continuous Training & Development

Extra day annual leave after probation

Qualifications

• Full & Relevant Early Years Level 2, 3 or above Qualification is essential.
• Previous experience working with children in a nursery setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning the curriculum using the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Act as a key person to a small group of children, ensuring their needs are met.
• Support meal times and participate in team meetings.

Skills

Early Years Education

Communication Skills

Child Development

Play-based Approach

Education

Early Years Level 2 Qualification

Early Years Level 3 Qualification

Job description

Early Years Practitioner

£26,104 - £26,728 Level 2 / £26,832 - £29,120 Level 3 + £500 New Starter Bonus

Location: Anglepoint House, Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, HP11 1TJ.

Position Type: Full-Time, All-Year-Round (40 hours per week, Monday to Friday)

Are you a passionate, qualified, Early Years Practitioner ready to make a meaningful impact every day? If so, we’d love to welcome you to the Hungry Caterpillar Family - where joy, learning, and development go hand in hand.

About the Role:

As a Nursery Practitioner at Hungry Caterpillars, you’ll play a vital role in delivering exceptional early years education and care. Working as part of a supportive team, you'll create engaging, child-led activities, nurture positive relationships, and ensure a safe, stimulating environment for every child. Whether indoors or out in our exciting gardens, you’ll bring fun, smiles, and curiosity into each day - helping children flourish emotionally, socially, and educationally.

You’ll also have opportunities to grow your skills and career through our strong focus on professional development, training, and internal promotion pathways.

Responsibilities:

·To assist with the planning of the curriculum using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum for guidance.

·To help to set up the playroom(s) for the daily programme and to help tidy away at the end of the session.

·To act as a key person to a small group of children, liaising closely and building an effective relationship with parents/carers and ensuring each child's needs are recognised and met.

·To support meal times within the setting.

·To actively participate at team meetings, supervisor meetings and appraisal meetings.

·To attend training courses as required and to take responsibility for your development.

·To ensure that adequate records are kept and updated regularly.

Why Hungry Caterpillars?

• £500 New Starter Bonus (paid in two instalments)
• 50% off childcare fees from day one
• Company Pension
• Bupa Health Care Package
• Referral Bonuses
• Access to Continuous Training & Development
• Extra day annual leave after probation completion

About Our Nursery:

Nestled in a modern, purpose-built setting, our High Wycombe nursery offers a bright, inspiring environment where children thrive. Opened in July 2019, every detail was carefully designed from the ground up to create a truly special place for little learners.

Each age group enjoys their own spacious, beautifully furnished room filled with natural light, leading directly to a secure, well-equipped garden – perfect for outdoor adventures and exploration. Conveniently located near local amenities and excellent transport links, we’re easy to reach and ready to welcome you into our nurturing community.

• Capacity: 90 children (ages 3 months to 4 years)
• Baby Room (0-2 years, 23 places)
• Toddler Room (2-3 years, 27 places)
• Pre-school (3-4 years, 40 places)
• Opening Hours: 7:30 am – 6:30 pm

What We’re Looking For:

• Full & Relevant Early Years Level 2, 3 or above Qualification (essential)
• Previous experience of working with children, ideally as an Early Years Educator, Nursery Practitioner, Nursery Assistant or Nursery Nurse
• Great communication skills, A sense of humour, A passion for a play based approach.

At Hungry Caterpillars, we invest in your future with opportunities for professional growth and career progression. If you're ready to make a real difference in children's lives and work in an inspiring environment, apply today!

Join our award-winning nursery group and start your next chapter with Hungry Caterpillars!