Early Years Practitioner P/T

UCL; London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player in education seeks a dedicated Early Years Practitioner to join their vibrant nursery team. This role is pivotal in providing exceptional care and education to children, ensuring compliance with Ofsted standards. The ideal candidate will bring a proactive and imaginative approach to early years curricula, fostering strong relationships with parents and creating a nurturing environment. With flexible working options and a commitment to diversity, this opportunity promises personal and professional growth in a supportive setting. Join a community that values creativity, inclusivity, and high-quality service.

Benefits

41 days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site nursery

On-site gym

Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

Employee assistance programme

Discounted medical insurance

Qualifications

• Strong experience in baby care within a nursery setting.
• Knowledge of Forest School and Reggio Emilia approach is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the smooth running of the nursery and provide high standards of care.
• Act as a key worker for a small group of children.

Skills

Communication Skills

Imaginative Planning

Experience with SEN Children

Proactive Approach

Education

NNEB or NVQ Level 3 Early Years Qualification

Level 2 Qualification or Equivalent

Job description

Join to apply for the Early Years Practitioner P/T role at UCL.

This range is provided by UCL. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

About us

We're UCL, one of the world's leading Universities and a member of the prestigious Russell Group. We have an enviable record for high quality teaching and research, a culture of promoting diversity and sustainability, and 30 Nobel laureates among our alumni and current and former staff.

Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. Today UCL has over 40,000 students and 12,500 staff and is one of the world's top 10 universities. The UCL Day Nursery, located in UCL's Bloomsbury Campus, provides high quality childcare and nursery education, giving priority to the development needs and happiness of our children and their families in a safe, nurturing and stimulating care environment.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an Ofsted rated 'Good with Outstanding Features' nursery that recognises and values the diverse community that it serves. Further information about the nursery can be seen here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/day-nursery/

About the role

Our Nursery Practitioners are vital in ensuring the smooth running of the nursery, and provide the highest standards of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual care for all of the children at the facility, while ensuring the standard of care and education delivered meets legislative requirements of Ofsted and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In this role, you will act as a key worker for a small group of children with the responsibility to work in partnership with parents/carers, encouraging them to participate in their child's development.

You will play an active part in the day-to-day operations and organisation of the nursery within agreed policies and procedures and provide a safe, caring, and stimulating environment within the Day Nursery, promoting good parent/staff relationships within the group.

The working pattern for this role will be Monday - Friday, either 8.30-16.30 or 9.30 - 17.30, with a longer day on Thursdays to allow for all-staff meetings.

For the right candidate, we are open to flexible working requests for this role, including compressed hours, part-time, part-year, or term-time arrangements. We encourage you to discuss your flexible working needs during the interview process.

Term dates would be...

Spring term 2025

About us

We're UCL, one of the world's leading Universities and a member of the prestigious Russell Group. We have an enviable record for high quality teaching and research, a culture of promoting diversity and sustainability, and 30 Nobel laureates among our alumni and current and former staff.

Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. Today UCL has over 40,000 students and 12,500 staff and is one of the world's top 10 universities. The UCL Day Nursery, located in UCL's Bloomsbury Campus, provides high quality childcare and nursery education, giving priority to the development needs and happiness of our children and their families in a safe, nurturing and stimulating care environment.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an Ofsted rated 'Good with Outstanding Features' nursery that recognises and values the diverse community that it serves. Further information about the nursery can be seen here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/day-nursery/

About the role

Our Nursery Practitioners are vital in ensuring the smooth running of the nursery, and provide the highest standards of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual care for all of the children at the facility, while ensuring the standard of care and education delivered meets legislative requirements of Ofsted and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In this role, you will act as a key worker for a small group of children with the responsibility to work in partnership with parents/carers, encouraging them to participate in their child's development.

You will play an active part in the day-to-day operations and organisation of the nursery within agreed policies and procedures and provide a safe, caring, and stimulating environment within the Day Nursery, promoting good parent/staff relationships within the group.

The working pattern for this role will be Monday - Friday, either 8.30-16.30 or 9.30 - 17.30, with a longer day on Thursdays to allow for all-staff meetings.

For the right candidate, we are open to flexible working requests for this role, including compressed hours, part-time, part-year, or term-time arrangements. We encourage you to discuss your flexible working needs during the interview process.

Term dates would be...

Spring term 2025

Monday 6 January to Friday 4 April 2025

• Half-term: Monday 17 February - Friday 21 February 2025
• Easter/spring holiday: Monday 7 April - Monday 21 April 2025 (Easter weekend 18-21 April)

Summer term 2025

Tuesday 22 April to Tuesday 22 July 2025

• May Day Bank Holiday on 5 May
• Half-term: Monday 26 May - Friday 30 May 2025 (Spring Bank Holiday on 26 May)

About you

Applicants should ideally hold a NNEB or NVQ level 3 Early Years and Education qualification or equivalent, with strong experience in baby care within a nursery setting. Candidates with extensive experience and a Level 2 qualification or equivalent may also be considered. Experience working with SEN children in a Teaching Assistant/SEN Assistant capacity would be beneficial. Applicants should have a proactive, imaginative, and practical approach to planning and delivering early years curricula, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to high-quality service to parents and carers. Knowledge of Forest School and Reggio Emilia approach is desirable but not essential.

What we offer

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• 41 days holiday (including 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, and 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we celebrate diversity as a driver of creativity and innovation. We are committed to providing equal opportunities, fairness, and inclusivity, ensuring our community reflects the diversity of global talent. We encourage applications from candidates who are underrepresented in our workforce, including those from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ individuals; and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles. More about our initiatives can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Part-time

Job function

• Administrative and Education

Industries

• Education