Early Years Practitioner

Transformation Unit; West of England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Early Years Practitioner (Band 3) to work with children aged 0-5 at Southmead Hospital, Bristol. The role is full-time (37.5 hours per week) with flexibility around working patterns and a focus on high-quality, inclusive childcare.

Applicants should have NNEB/DCE/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Childcare. NHS experience is desirable; strong teamwork and written assessment skills are essential.

Qualifications

• NNEB/DCE/NVQ level3/BTEC in Childcare.
• Able to work under pressure and plan varied activities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Knowledge of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and Welfare requirements.
• Work with children aged 0-5 to provide high quality, stimulating care.
• Maintain records of learning and development and liaise with parents.
• Establish and maintain relationships with staff, parents and children.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Teamwork

Written communication

Ability to plan activities

Education

NNEB/DCE/NVQ level3/BTEC in Childcare

Job description

Main area Facilities Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 1 day off a week Shift pattern 7.30-6.00 x 3 8.00-6.00 x 1 1 hour lunch break) Job ref 339-FD5154-LMH

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Southmead Hospital Town Bristol Salary £25,760 - £27,476 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 25/11/2026 23:59

Early Years Practitioner

Band 3

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

To work as part of a team with children aged 0-5 years. To help provide high quality, stimulating childcare encompassing their development, racial, cultural, religious, language, gender and disability needs. Ensuring the quality of care is of the highest level, which provides a safe, caring, happy and stimulating environment.

Please be aware that a Level 3 in Health and Social Care is NOT the correct qualification for this Early Years Practitioner role.

Main duties of the job

• Knowledge and understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and Welfare requirements
• Working knowledge of all the settings policies and procedures and the ability to put these into practice when required.
• Experience of working with children aged 0-5 within an early years setting
• Understanding and awareness of Health and Safety
• To have strong communication skills essential for team work
• To take responsibility for a group of children, taking an active role in settling a new child in, liasing with parents and keeping up to date records of learning and development.
• To have effective writing skills, enabling completion of children’s written assessments and other related and non-related paperwork
• To have the imagination and enthusiasm to plan and evaluate activities for children
• To establish and maintain relationships within the staffing team, with parents and with all children.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retaina workforce whichrepresentsthe rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Education and qualifications

• NNEB/DCE/NVQ level3/BTEC in Childcare

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Able to work under pressure
• Able to plan for a wide range of activities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Experience

• Experience with children between the ages of 0-5 years
• Experience in a childcare setting
• NHS experience
• Team player
• Enthusiasm for the role

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

If you have problems applying, contact

Address People & Transformation Division
North Bristol NHS Trust
Southmead Hospital
BS10 5NB
Telephone [phone]