Lunch Cover Assistant

Happy Days Nurseries; Hedge End; On-site; GBP 11,000 - 14,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Blue Light Card

Life Assurance

Christmas On Us

SPARK App access

Career progression

Job summary

Happy Days Nurseries is looking for a Lunch Cover Assistant to support children’s growth at our new Boorley Green nursery. The role is 20 hours per week, with shifts 10:00–14:00 or 11:00–15:00, Monday to Friday across the year.

You’ll help deliver our “Where Children Shine” curriculum, assist with meals, play, and learning activities, and work closely with staff to ensure safe, enriching lunchtimes. Paediatric First Aid and Level 2 Early Years qualification are preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience with child development and learning, fostering emotional and intellectual growth.
• Confident, professional communication and collaborative work.
• Inclusive practice creating a respectful environment.
• Reflective and committed to professional growth.
• Willing to commute to multiple nursery sites within a one-hour radius.

Responsibilities

• Support lunchtime care and learning activities for children during busy lunch periods.
• Help maintain a safe, supportive environment and follow allergy/dietary policies.
• Assist staff with routines, including lunch and sleep times to ensure consistency.
• Contribute to safeguarding and wellbeing of children and families.

Skills

Child development

Communication

Teamwork

Inclusive practice

Professional growth

Education

Level 2 Early Years qualification

Job description

We’re looking for a Lunch Cover Assistant committed to supporting children’s growth and learning, to join our brand-new, purpose built nursery in Boorley Green!

Our Lunch Cover Assistant will work 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday (all year round) over our busy lunch time. Working hours are 10:00 to 14:00 or 11:00 to 15:00.

About the role:

As a Lunch Cover Assistant, you will:

• Play a vital role in helping us inspire the future for our children, offering the very best care and education using our unique curriculum “Where Children Shine”.
• Be responsible for providing a safe, supportive and enriching environment that fosters children’s development and well-being, particularly over the busy lunchtime period.
• Be an integral part of our children’s daily routines and you will support the staff team with lunch times, sleep times and supporting learning activities.
• Juggle many different tasks as part of the role, working closely with the staff team to ensure that our children’s day is kept consistent, through a confident, positive and honest approach.
• Support children during their mealtime and following all policies and procedures to keep our children safe and keep to all allergies and special dietary requirements
• Have a good understanding of how to best safeguard our children and families.

About you:

We're looking for Early Years Practitioners, preferably qualified to Level 2, who:

• Have experience with child development and learning and are committed to children’s emotional and intellectual growth
• Communicate confidently, professionally and work collaboratively
• Work in a way that is inclusive and creates a supportive, respectful environment
• Are reflective and committed to professional growth
• Can easily commute to multiple nursery sites within a one-hour radius

And a few nice to haves:

• Paediatric First Aid certification.
• Experience supporting children with additional needs.
• Familiarity with digital learning journals or nursery software.

Rewarding careers:

We’re committed to nurturing talent and supporting career progression into nursery management roles. Through tailored development plans, mentoring from experienced leaders, and access to accredited training programmes, we empower our team members to grow their leadership skills and take the next step in their careers.

We welcome applicants from under-represented groups including men and offer a competitive range of benefits that aren’t just perks—they are part of a culture that puts people first. They support us build a workplace where you’re empowered to thrive every day and where you’ll feel valued.

What’s in it for you:

• Salary of up £10.85 - £13.46 per hour
• Fully funded Blue Light Card Membership
• Life Assurance
• Christmas On Us - up to 4 gifted days off during Christmas closedown
• An extensive range of Health and Wellbeing services through the SPARK APP
• Structured training, mentoring, and a clear career progression pathway all of which will support your CPD

Safeguarding commitment:

Happy Days Nurseries are committed to the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care. All successful candidates will undergo the required vetting process.