Lunch Cover Nursery Practitioner

The Old Station Nursery Group; Pegwell; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free childcare for first month

52% discount on childcare based on hrs

31 days of holiday + birthday off

Access to The National College

One paid day to volunteer

Perkbox discounts

Blue Light Card discounts

Employee of the Month recognition

Long-service awards

Referral bonuses

Job summary

The Grange Montessori Nursery in Ramsgate is seeking a Lunch Cover Nursery Practitioner to support lunchtime care. No formal Early Years qualification is required, and you will join a supportive team to help children feel settled and engaged during the busy middle of the day.

You will work part-time, with pay between £12.71 and £13.34 per hour, depending on experience. Training and development opportunities are available through the National College and other programs.

Qualifications

• No formal early years qualification required.
• Experience in childcare is beneficial but not essential.
• Commitment to safeguarding and inclusive practice.

Responsibilities

• Support rooms across the nursery during lunchtime cover.
• Help children enjoy safe, calm and sociable mealtimes.
• Encourage independence through daily routines like handwashing.
• Assist with personal care and rest periods as needed.
• Engage in age-appropriate play and activities.
• Keep rooms and eating areas clean and welcoming.
• Share information with colleagues for consistent care.
• Follow safeguarding and hygiene procedures and raise concerns when needed.

Skills

Caring for children

Kindness and empathy

Reliability

Willingness to learn

Team collaboration

Mealtime assistance

Job description

Join Our Team as a Lunch Cover Nursery Practitioner

At The Old Station Nursery, we believe everyone is still growing — little humans and big humans alike. As a Lunch Cover Nursery Practitioner at The Grange, you’ll support children and colleagues during the busy middle of the nursery day, helping maintain familiar routines while team members take their breaks.

You don’t need an Early Years qualification to get started. Bring your kindness, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn, and you’ll find colleagues ready to help you grow.

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: £12.71 - £13.34 per Hour, based on experience.

Hours: Part-time, Monday–Friday, 15 Hours per week, working 11am - 2pm

Location

Townsend Montessori Nursery The Grange
West Cliff Road
Ramsgate
Kent
CT11 9LJ

Where You'll Be Working

Our day nursery is set in a two-storey period property in the coastal town of Ramsgate. The Grange Montessori Nursery provides a home-from-home environment where children thrive. Our Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ nursery offers children a rich, enabling environment where qualified nursery practitioners passionately nurture and develop their unique personalities and characters. Our bright and airy rooms have high ceilings, and our large, secure garden is suitable for all ages and weather conditions. Together, these create a spacious environment for children to engage in hands‑on learning and make creative choices, guided by our attentive Montessori teacher. The Grange Montessori Nursery is situated on West Cliff Road, a short stroll from Ramsgate town centre. The nursery has excellent transport links from the town centre and a bus stop right outside the front. Parking is available outside the nursery.

What You'll Be Doing

Working alongside experienced colleagues, you’ll provide cover during team breaks, helping children feel settled, supported, and ready for the rest of their day.

One moment you might be encouraging a child to try their lunch or wash their hands. The next, you could be sharing a quiet story, supporting rest time, or joining in with play.

With guidance from your team, you’ll:

• Support rooms across the nursery during lunchtime cover, following clear handovers from colleagues

• Help children enjoy safe, calm, and sociable mealtimes, following their individual dietary and allergy requirements

• Encourage independence through everyday routines, such as handwashing and feeding themselves

• Support personal care, sleep, and rest routines with patience and attention to each child’s needs

• Join in with age-appropriate play and activities, following children’s interests

• Help keep rooms and eating areas clean, tidy, and welcoming

• Share relevant information with colleagues so children receive consistent care

• Follow safeguarding, safety, and hygiene procedures, raising concerns and asking for support whenever needed

Our values are simple: Own it. Be human. Make it happen. In your role, that means being reliable, noticing when someone needs a hand, and working together to keep the nursery day running smoothly.

What We’re Looking For

No qualifications are required for this role. Previous experience working in a childcare setting would be beneficial, but isn’t essential.

You’ll bring:

• A genuine interest in caring for children and supporting their development

• Kindness, patience, and a reassuring approach

• Reliability and the ability to work closely with different colleagues

• A willingness to get involved with mealtimes, personal care, and everyday nursery routines

• Openness to learning, following guidance, and asking questions

• A commitment to keeping children safe and helping them feel included

Whether you’re exploring Early Years for the first time or bringing childcare experience, we’d love to hear what you could bring to our community.

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

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. If successful, our Onboarding Team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. 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.