Nursery Apprentice | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Slough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS childcare provider in Slough is seeking a Nursery Assistant for a full-time position (37.5 hours/week) at Jack in the Box Nursery. Responsibilities include providing care and stimulation for children, maintaining records, and working with parents. The role requires a commitment to pursue an NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification in childcare. Benefits include flexible working options and 27 days annual leave, with a salary of £7.55 per hour.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Access to wellbeing tools

Discounts at retailers and restaurants

Qualifications

• Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or above or Level 1 Functional Skills.
• Good standard of written and spoken English.
• Experience of teamwork and flexible approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide care and stimulation for children meeting their needs.
• Work in partnership with parents for their child's care.
• Maintain records in line with the EYFS framework.
• Attend training for personal career development.

Skills

GCSE in Maths

GCSE in English

Teamwork

Good communication skills

Flexible approach

Education

NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification in childcare

Job description

Full time position, 37.5 hours per week based at Jack in the Box Nursery, Slough. Working shifts between 7am – 6pm.

Salary £7.55 per hour.

Come and work in our friendly NHS nursery.

Fantastic NHS benefits and training.

Working in a great team of staff, many of whom have been with the nursery for a number of years.

Be part of an important and high-profile organisation offering the best childcare, recommended by parents on daynurseries.co.uk.

Enjoy your job. Every day is different at Jack in the Box and full of fun for the children and the staff. Arrive with a smile and leave with one!

Our Nurseries

The Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT) Nurseries began operating over 25 years ago and are located in Maidenhead, Slough and Reading. The nurseries offer full day care for 51 weeks per year, from 7.30am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. The buildings are single storey purpose built environments that offer care and education for children up until the age of 5.

Being owned by the NHS, the BHFT nurseries come highly recommended by families and the standard of care demonstrated for all children links to the expectations that the NHS portray worldwide.

The BHFT nurseries employ a high calibre of staff, ranging from Nursery Trainees to Degree Level practitioners. In general, the nurseries have a low staff turnover and the retention of highly skilled and motivated staff is paramount.

The post holder is to assist in the development and running of the nursery, to provide good day care for the children in a safe, clean and stimulating environment.

Responsibilities

• To provide the best possible care and stimulation for the children of the nursery meeting their physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs in a non-discriminatory manner.
• To work in partnership with parents and encourage their involvement in the aims of the nursery and in all aspects of their child’s care.
• To provide and maintain records as necessary and appropriate, in line with the EYFS Statutory Framework.
• To attend training courses, to ensure that modern, innovative and forward looking practices are maintained and to allow for personal career development.
• To assist in the daily domestic management of the nursery; ensuring that the nursery is kept safe, secure and clean at all times.
• To work effectively as part of a team on a daily basis.
• To participate fully in the daily routine of the individual rooms and to follow the guidance and instructions of the senior staff.
• To compile and maintain regular progress developmental records on key children, making sure that records are accurate, signed and dated.
• To develop good working relationships with parents and encourage parental interest and participation in the life of the nursery.
• To work towards achieving an NVQ level 2 or 3 qualification in childcare.

About Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and is supported to flourish.

Our Values

• Caring for and about you is our top priority.
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services.
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions.

Benefits

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance.
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell.
• Generous NHS pension scheme.
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities.
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles.
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services.
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants.
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality.
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
• Free parking across Trust sites.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Maths and English GCSE at Grade C or above OR Level 1 Functional Skills in Maths and English (this will be tested by the training provider).
• Commitment to commence working towards an appropriate NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualification.
• As stated in the EYFS, a good standard of written and spoken English. Also able to read and understand English such as to follow instructions or interpret a policy.
• Experience of teamwork.
• Flexible approach.
• Good communication skills.
• Paediatric first aid and food hygiene desirable.
• Previous relevant work in childcare desirable.
• A knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection desirable.

Contact

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point‑by‑point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Rebecca Croft, Nursery manager on 01189044638, who’ll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

This advert closes on Sunday 21 Dec 2025.