Lunch Cover Nursery Practitioner

The Old Station Nursery Group; York and North Yorkshire; A distancia; GBP 17.000 - 21.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Free childcare for first month

52% childcare discount

31 days holiday + birthday off

Training via The National College

Volunteer day per year

Perkbox discounts

Blue Light Card discounts

Descripción de la vacante

The Old Station Nursery Group is seeking a Lunch Cover Nursery Practitioner at our Tadcaster Road site in York. You’ll support children during the busy nursery day, helping maintain routines while colleagues take their breaks.

No Early Years qualification is required, and a warm, patient approach will help you grow in a supportive team. You’ll join a caring environment with opportunities for learning and development, including discounts on childcare, generous holiday entitlement, and access to

Formación

• No formal Early Years qualification required.
• Previous childcare exposure is helpful but not essential.
• You’ll bring warmth, enthusiasm and a proactive attitude.

Responsabilidades

• Provide lunch-cover across the nursery during staff breaks.
• Support children to feel settled, safe and engaged during mealtimes.
• Assist with everyday routines and activities to promote development.

Conocimientos

Kindness

Patience

Reliability

Willingness to learn

Team collaboration

Descripción del empleo

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 Tadcaster Road, 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 per hour.

Hours: Monday - Friday - 20 hours working 10am-2pm

Location

Little Green Rascals Children's Day Nursery Tadcaster Road
312 Tadcaster Road
York
North Yorkshire
YO24 1HF

Where You'll Be Working

Our beautiful nursery is based in a three-story Victorian townhouse, set back from the road and opposite the beautiful York Racecourse. Buses run frequently in and out of the city, with a bus stop directly outside the nursery. We also have ample parent parking available on-site, with additional convenient parking options for staff located just a short distance from the nursery. One of the most popular aspects of our nursery is our Forest School, located just 10 minutes away in a peaceful woodland environment, offers children the chance to explore and learn in a dedicated outdoor classroom surrounded by nature. This is where our ethos comes to life and the children can engage in Forest School classes, planting organic fruit and vegetables which can be eaten once they’ve grown.

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.