Level 2 or Unqualified Nursery Practitioner | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT; Southampton; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution in Southampton is seeking enthusiastic Level 2 Early Years Practitioners for Taplins Nurseries. This role involves providing a safe and stimulating environment for children, planning educational activities, and maintaining high standards of care. The position offers full-time (4-day week) and part-time options, along with generous leave benefits. Ideal candidates will have a Level 2 qualification in Early Years and a commitment to safeguarding children's welfare.

Benefits

35 days of annual leave

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance program

Qualifications

• Full responsibility for the children in care, ensuring a safe and stimulating environment.
• Provide enjoyable activities for child development as per EYFS requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of children's progress and learning activities.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key person for allocated children to support their individual needs.
• Work with SENDco to support children with additional needs.
• Ensure adherence to all safeguarding policies and procedures.

Skills

Knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Child safety and hygiene

Communication skills

Ability to plan educational activities

Education

Level 2 qualification in Early Years

Job description

Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Taplins Nurseries are looking for enthusiastic Level 2 Early Years Practitioners to join our friendly teams in Southampton.

Location & Working Hours

Location: Taplins Nurseries – Southampton General Hospital & Western Community Hospital.

Hours: Full‑time (4‑day week) or Part‑time options available to be discussed. Our nurseries are open Monday to Friday, 7:00 am – 6:30 pm.

Benefits

• 35 days of annual leave (plus increases with service) and closures on bank holidays
• Work‑life balance – full‑time staff typically work across a 4‑day week
• Flexible hours and part‑time options

General Duties

• Be fully responsible for the children in your care, providing a consistently safe, secure, and stimulating environment.
• Provide a wide range of enjoyable, stimulating, and educational activities for a group of children, covering all aspects of the child’s individual development by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Act as a key person (if allocated a group by the Nursery Manager) building a strong attachment and knowing your key children well as individuals.
• Maintain required records of children’s development, learning and activities.
• Work alongside the nursery SENDco to support children with additional needs ensuring that their development is promoted as fully as possible.
• Ensure that all policies and procedures are adhered to and if there are any concerns, problems or issues these are escalated appropriately to the Duty Manager and/or the management team.
• Promote a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene standards through monitoring and supervising nappy changing/toilet and washing procedures, regular cleaning of toys and equipment, the cleaning of children’s crockery and bedding.
• Assist in the preparation and serving of food and supervision of meal times.
• Exercise a duty of care for work colleagues and to be responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for all children, staff and visitors.
• Plan and carry out a variety of fun activities with the children in line with the Early Years curriculum.
• Evaluate the activities and maintain online learning journals via Tapestry.

Safeguarding

Taplins Nurseries and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All roles are subject to appropriate pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and verification of qualifications and references.

The successful candidate will have specific safeguarding responsibilities, as outlined in the job description and person specification.

Next Steps

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents.

Contact us today to find out more about part‑time opportunities or to discuss shift patterns in detail.

This advert closes on Thursday 30 Oct 2025.