Early Years Practitioner (Higher Level)

NHS; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Early Years Practitioner (Higher Level) to join the Nursery team at The Freeman Hospital. A minimum NVQ Level 3 in childcare is essential, and a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage is required to support children aged 0-5.

You will plan varied activities, support learning and development, supervise staff and work with families, in a welcoming, flexible environment aligned with OFSTED expectations.

Qualifications

• Minimum NVQ Level 3 in childcare or equivalent.
• Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Experience with children aged 0-5 years and working as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Care and supervise children aged 0-5 years under supervision.
• Implement a structured, stimulating environment through play in line with OFSTED.
• Supervise and assist students on placement.
• Settle in new children and work closely with parents/carers.

Skills

Good interpersonal skills

Confidentiality

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Childcare

Job description

Early Years Practitioner (Higher Level)

The closing date is 27 September 2026

Free Spirits is a busy 88 place Nursery. The Nursery caters for children 6 months to Pre School, located within the grounds of The Freeman Hospital.

Are you ready to join our Nursery Team?

A vacancy has arisen within the Nursery for a full time member of staff to join our team.

We are looking for a passionate and energetic member of staff with a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and child development. Could you be this person?

Are you enthusiastic about working with children and supporting their learning and development?

Are you able to use your own initiative, research and keep your knowledge up to date?

As part of a team would you be able to plan varied and stimulating activities which challenge children's learning and development?

A sound knowledge of The Early Years Foundation Stage and a positive approach to child care is essential. Experience working with babies would be desirable.

A minimum of NVQ level 3 in childcare or an equivalent in childcare is essential for this role. Please ensure that your qualification is in childcare before you apply.

Main duties of the job

To care and supervise children aged 0-5 years under the direction of the Lead Early Years Practitioner and the Senior Staff/Nursery Managers.

To implement a structured and stimulating environment through play, under the direction of the Lead Early Years Practitioner, as a requirement of OFSTED.

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:

• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Job responsibilities

• To care and supervise children aged 0-5 years under the direction of the Lead Early Years Practitioner and the Senior Staff/Nursery Managers.
• To implement a structured and stimulating environment through play, under the direction of the Lead Early Years Practitioner, as a requirement of OFSTED.
• To supervise and assist students whilst on placement.
• To settle in new children, working closely with parents/carers under the direction of the Lead Early Years Practitioner.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Education

• NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent (in Childcare)

Knowledge & Experience

• Knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage
• Work in collaboration with colleagues or as an individual providing, delivering and maintaining a high quality, effective structured place of learning
• Previous experience of working with children between the age of 0-5 years

Skills & Abilities

• Good interpersonal skills
• Diplomacy in handling issues and confidential information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust