Early Years Practitioner

Acorn Early Years Foundation; Olney; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive payscales

65% childcare discount (pro-rata)

Generous family leave

Christmas closure

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Dedicated training days

Job summary

Acorn Early Years Foundation’s Emberton Nursery seeks an Early Years Practitioner to support learning, development and wellbeing in a nurturing, child‑centred environment.

You will join a caring team delivering high‑quality care across 7:30am–6:15pm, with flexible three days or five‑day options discussed at interview. A probation period applies before a recruitment bonus is paid.

Qualifications

• A good working knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements.
• Full & relevant Early Years Qualification (Minimum Level 2) is required.
• Opportunity to discuss flexible working arrangements at interview.

Responsibilities

• Support holistic EYFS activities and children's development.
• Maintain quality care and high‑quality interactions.
• Safeguard all children and follow safeguarding procedures at all times.
• Support planning, observations and next steps in learning.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Warm, calm and child-centred approach

Ability to work flexibly as part of a팀

Safeguarding knowledge

Education

Full & relevant Early Years Qualification (Minimum Level 2)

Job description

If you are offered an EYP role, you will received a £500 recruitment bonus after successfully completing your 3 month probation period.

We’re happy to offer flexibility with working hours to suit the right candidate. Depending on the needs of the nursery and availability, this role could be structured as three full days per week, mornings across five days, or afternoons across five days. Specific arrangements can be discussed further at interview.

Acorn Early Years is looking for a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Practitioner to join our friendly and supportive team at Emberton Nursery. You must have a full & relevant Early Years Qualification. Minimum Level 2.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an early years professional who is passionate about delivering high‑quality care and education in a nurturing, child‑centred environment.

We are located in what was the old school in the lovely village of Emberton, near Olney. We have adapted the building to younger children and added our Acorn touch, whilst retaining the character of the original architecture. We have developed the expansive outside area into an outdoor learning centre, which we offer a nature kindergarten during term-time for 3-4 year olds, and an outdoor playscheme in school holidays, for school aged children.

In the nursery, we offer full and part‑time care for up to 37 places for babies, toddlers and pre‑school children, and are open from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. All Acorn nurseries are closed for all bank holidays, between Christmas and new year, plus our four training days each year. This means the monthly fees are calculated over 49 weeks . You will not be charged for these days, however fees are payable for additional closure days which are out of our control, eg: additional bank holidays over the standard eight. In addition to the nursery, the outdoor learning centre offers a 24 place outdoor holiday club for children aged 4-13, alongside other outdoor sessions for the local community including our 16 place Nature Kindergarten. Over the next couple of years we aim to plant over 500 trees and shrubs, build several outdoor shelters and other wooden structures and sculptures, develop an orchard and allotment area, and develop a range of other outdoor provisions that will enhance the activities and sessions on offer.

About the Role

As an Early Years Practitioner, you will play an important role in supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing. You will work as part of a committed team to create engaging learning environments, deliver high‑quality interactions and ensure every child feels safe, valued and supported to reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

Quality of Care & Practice

• Support a holistic approach to the EYFS curriculum
• Meet the individual care and learning needs of children
• Deliver high‑quality interactions that support children’s development
• Promote positive behaviour in line with Acorn policies and procedures
• Follow and extend children’s interests through appropriate teaching methods
• Support planning in the moment and contribute to observations and assessments
• Promote children’s independence and physical development
• Monitor children’s progress and support next steps in learning
• Help create rich, stimulating learning environments indoors and outdoors
• Ensure resources and equipment are accessible, safe and well maintained
• Support first‑hand learning experiences that meet the needs of all children

Key Person & Partnerships

• Act as an effective key person, building strong relationships with children and families
• Value parents as partners and communicate professionally and positively
• Complete accurate and timely documentation, including observations, care plans, accident forms, transitions and two‑year checks (where applicable)

Teamwork & Professional Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively as part of a supportive team
• Support colleagues when needed, including less experienced practitioners
• Share relevant information with room teams and senior staff
• Reflect Acorn’s ethos, values, policies and procedures in daily practice
• Safeguard all children and follow safeguarding procedures at all times
• Support the smooth running of the room in the absence of senior staff when required

What We’re Looking For

• A good working knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements
• A warm, calm and child‑centred approach
• Strong communication skills with children, parents and colleagues
• A genuine passion for early years care and education
• Confidence to role model positive behaviour and best practice
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team

Why Join Acorn Early Years?

At Acorn, we are passionate about creating inclusive, nurturing environments where children and staff thrive. We value our teams and actively support professional development and progression.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Working at Acorn

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• 65% Childcare discount Pro-rata according to contracted hours
• Generous family leave
• Christmas closure
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
• 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans