Level 2/3 Nursery Practitioner

The Old Station Nursery; Oxford; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free childcare first month

52% childcare discount

31 days holiday + birthday day off

National College training access

Paid volunteering day

Perkbox discounts

Blue Light Card discounts

Employee recognition & long-service

Job summary

The Old Station Nursery Oxford is seeking a Qualified Nursery Practitioner to join our team at Oxford Science Park. You’ll support children through play, care, and connection, helping them feel confident to try new things in a warm, inclusive environment.

You must hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification (or QTS) and commit to safeguarding and high standards of care. We offer a 40-hour week, pay between £13.52 and £15.52 per hour, plus childcare support, generous holidays, training

Qualifications

• Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification or QTS.
• Understanding of EYFS and learning through play.
• Caring, attentive approach to individuality.
• Creativity and curiosity, with following children's interests.
• Commitment to safeguarding and high standards of care.

Responsibilities

• Create a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe and valued.
• Plan and support engaging, play-based experiences aligned with EYFS.
• Observe development and record progress to inform next steps.
• Build relationships with families and share updates.
• Support routines including meals, personal care, and rest.
• Safeguard, safety, hygiene, and wellbeing in daily practice.
• Guide apprentices and volunteers with openness to learning.

Skills

EYFS knowledge

Play-based learning

Safeguarding awareness

Communication

Education

Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification

Job description

Join Our Team as a Qualified Nursery Practitioner

Help little humans discover their world -and keep growing in yours.

As a Nursery Practitioner, you’ll help create the everyday moments that build children’s confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging.

At The Old Station Nursery, we believe everyone is still growing -little humans and big humans alike. As a Level 2 or Level 3 Qualified Nursery Practitioner at Oxford Science Park, you’ll bring your skills, ideas, and care to a community where every child is known and every colleague has something meaningful to contribute.

We’ll support you to develop your practice, share what you know, and feel proud of the difference you make.

Why Join Our Team?

We take care of the people who care for our children and families. Here’s what that means for you:

• Childcare support: Free childcare for your first month, followed by a 52% discount based on your working hours.

• Time to recharge: 31 days of holiday, including national bank holidays, plus your birthday off and an extra day after 3 years of service.

• Space to grow: Access to The National College, with a library of courses and training to develop your practice and leadership.

• Connection to your community: One paid day each year to volunteer and support a cause that matters to you.

• Everyday support: With access to Perkbox, enjoy discounts on shopping, meals out, and everyday essentials, alongside wellbeing tools and online medical services. You’ll also be eligible for a Blue Light Card, helping your money go further with even more discounts.

• Recognition along the way: We celebrate the care and commitment you bring, with Employee of the Month recognition, long-service awards to mark your milestones, and referral bonuses for introducing friends or family to our team.

Pay: £13.52- £15.52per hour / £28,121 - £32,281per annumbased on qualification and experience (40 hours per week).
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

Location

The Old Station Nursery Oxford, The Sadler Building
Oxford Science Park, Heatley Road
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX4 4GE

Where You'll Be Working

Built with the purpose of providing children with a safe and secure environment, The Old Station Nursery Oxford offers a welcoming space for all families. The nursery is a bright and spacious building, complemented by a beautiful garden area that encourages outdoor play and promotes active lifestyles among the children. Inside, there are three age-appropriate rooms, each led by a passionate and friendly team. These rooms have been thoughtfully designed to enhance children’s development according to their age group. Our nursery thrives on being unique, offering individualised learning to adapt to the needs of our children. We offer a range of extracurricular activities including the Brighter Learning Clubs, Tatty Bumpkin and Sporty Minis. Conveniently located in the Sadler Building beside the brasserie within Oxford Science Park, The Old Station Nursery Oxford is ideal for local working families. Follow the park's 'Nursery' signposts. Enjoy easy access by foot or local buses that stop nearby.

What You'll Be Doing

You’ll support children through play, care, and connection, getting to know their interests, noticing their progress, and helping them feel confident to try something new.

One moment you might be following a trail of curious questions in the garden. The next, you could be sharing a story, helping with lunchtime, or celebrating a child putting on their coat independently.

Your role will include:

• Creating a warm, inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued, and free to be themselves

• Planning and supporting engaging, play-based experiences aligned with the EYFS and shaped around children’s interests and needs

• Observing children’s development, recording meaningful progress, and using what you learn to support their next steps

• Building trusting relationships with families, sharing updates and listening to what matters to them

• Supporting everyday routines, including meals, personal care, and rest, with patience and attention to each child

• Keeping safeguarding, safety, hygiene, and children’s wellbeing at the heart of your work

• Working closely with colleagues, sharing ideas, and offering guidance to apprentices and volunteers while learning from others

Our values are simple: Own it. Be human. Make it happen. As a practitioner, that means following through with care, listening to children and colleagues, and turning good ideas into experiences that help children grow.

What We’re Looking For

You must hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to be considered for this role.

You’ll also bring:

• An understanding of the EYFS and how children learn through play and everyday experiences

• A caring, attentive approach that recognises each child’s individuality

• Creativity and curiosity, with a willingness to follow children’s interests

• Confidence building positive relationships with families and colleagues

• A commitment to safeguarding and maintaining high standards of care

• A collaborative approach, with openness to feedback and enthusiasm for your own learning

We’re looking for someone who notices the little things, celebrates progress, and understands how much a caring, consistent adult can mean to a child.

Please note: we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to support fairness and accessibility for all candidates. This role involves regulated activity with children. We will also conduct DBS checks, references, and right-to-work verification. If successful, our Onboarding Team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, verification of your right to work in the UK, and any essential qualifications.