Early Years Practitioner - Level 2

Transformation Unit; Ashford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner to join the Day Nursery at Ashford Hospital. The role offers a pathway to Level 3 with Brooklands College collaboration and supports safeguarding and EYFS standards.

The position focuses on providing consistent care, contributing to learning journeys, and working as a key worker in a busy NHS setting with a strong emphasis on development and partnership with families.

Qualifications

• Level two Early Years Educator qualification is required.
• Experience with children aged 3 months to 5 years.
• Willingness to undertake Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.

Responsibilities

• Be a key worker to a designated group of children and provide a supportive, learning-rich environment.
• Maintain and document Learning Journeys, sharing progress and feedback with parents.
• Ensure health, safety and safeguarding policies are followed at all times.
• Assist in day-to-day nursery operations and EYFS planning to support developmental milestones.
• Attend team meetings and contribute to the nursery's continuous improvement.

Skills

Kind

Thoughtful

Enthusiastic

Loyal

Education

Level two Early Years Educator

Job description

Employer Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Ashford Hospital Town Ashford Salary £26,618 N/A Salary period Yearly Closing 18/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 24/11/2026

Early Years Practitioner - Level 2

NHS AfC: Band 2

Job overview

First Steps Day Nursery at Ashford Hospital are looking for a kind, thoughtful, enthusiastic and loyal Level 2 Early Years Practitioner to provide and enhance good quality care to an established and popular workplace day nursery, located within the grounds of Ashford Hospital.

Applicants are also welcomed to apply for the post as a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner who are interested in a developmental role and working closely with Brooklands College to complete their Level 3 qualification.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be a Key worker to a designated group of children participating in their supervision, enabling them to thrive by providing a stimulating, caring and learning environment in which children of all ages may develop. Enabling you to give positive feedback to parents about their children’s development.

Working for our organisation

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider of acute hospital services to Surrey residents, serving a population of 410,00 people and employing approximately 4,800 staff.

Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience and best outcomes for patients and the team. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to deliver our workforce plan.

We work in partnership with Royal Surrey Hospital NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities.

St Peter’s Hospital delivers complex medical and surgical care, maternity and emergency services. Day and Orthopaedic Surgery, Ophthalmology and Outpatient services are delivered at Ashford Hospital. Additional services are delivered at Woking Community Hospital.

Our Values provide us with the behaviours we respect and can commit to. By living our values through our everyday interactions, we can build a stronger, more resilient, and forward- thinking organisation, guiding us to achieve success and make a positive impact on how we deliver our services.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits & discounts.

Certificate of Sponsorship
In line with UKVI requirements, Band 2, Band 3 and Band 4 roles are not eligible for sponsorship.

Please note only certain roles at Band 5 & above are eligible for sponsorship.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To be aware of and act appropriately on Trust Safeguarding Children Polices and Procedures.

2. Under the direction of the Advanced Early Years Practitioner assist in the day to day running of the nursery in accordance with all Trust and Nursery policies and procedures.

3. Sustain and develop good practice within the nursery, by sharing responsibility in offering a stimulating environment for the children in your care by ensuring a contribution of ideas covering The New Early Yearly Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) ensuring that a child can develop to the appropriate age and stage of development. Through observations on your key children produce individual short and medium term development plans.

4. As a key worker to a designated group of children be responsible for the documentation of the children’s Learning Journeys, enabling you to provide positive feedback to parents.

5. Engage in all physical aspects of the children’s health, well-being, care and play i.e. lifting, running, bending sitting on the floor.

6. Develop links with parents and encourage parental participation within the nursery. Be understanding and receptive to parent’s wishes. Offer encouragement and advice when appropriate.

7. Be aware of the confidential aspects of work, treating all confidential information relating to the children, parents, staff and professional contacts in a manner which will protect the individual.

8. Promote within the nursery Equal Opportunities, being sensitive to the children’s cultural and socio economical backgrounds, gender, disability or language capabilities.

9. Follow all guidelines with regards to maintaining the high standards of health and safety within the nursery. Promote the children’s own awareness by being a positive role model for them to emulate. Follow appropriate Food Hygiene Guidelines when serving and preparing food. Ensure the children’s environment is kept, clean, safe and tidy.

10. Follow all guidelines with regards to the administration of medication as well as the daily health and safety checks made within the nursery.

11. Attend regular team meetings and annual staff training to maintain all annual statutory training including Safeguarding Children and Adults, Information Governance, Health and Safety, Manual Handling, Equal Opportunities, Hand Hygiene and Fire Training.

12. Contribute any additional skills and competencies that are appropriate with the role and agreed with the Assistant Childcare Manager.

13. To support the department and organisation by carrying out any other duties as qualified and able.

14. To individual child’s planning in accordance with the EYFS.

15. To be willing to undertake a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification upon commencement of post to progress to a Level 3 (Band 3) Early Years Practitioner post upon completion.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Level two Early Years Educator

Experience

• Previous experience working with children 3 months - 5 years.

Adverts may close early, so early application is encouraged.

Certificate of Sponsorship
In line with UKVI requirements, Band 2, Band 3 and Band 4 roles are not eligible for sponsorship.

Please note that only certain roles at Band 5 and above are eligible for sponsorship.

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.