Nursery Early Years Practitioner

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; Southampton; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% childcare discount at our nursery

Up to 30 days’ holiday

Celebration leave day

Health Cash Plan

Retail discounts

Career development opportunities

Day-camp savings

Discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Group

Cycle to Work scheme

High-quality resources

Warm, caring culture

Job summary

YMCA Fairthorne Group Nursery in Southampton seeks warm, patient Early Years Practitioners to support children’s learning through play in a nature-rich setting. The role involves 40 hours over four days, with 4 working days and 3 days off, offering space for family and life outside work.

Ideal candidates are caring, calm and committed to safeguarding, with Level 2/3 EYPS or studying towards an EY qualification. Part-time options may be available.

Qualifications

• Caring, patient and enthusiastic about helping children thrive.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
• Commitment to inclusive, play-based learning and outdoor experiences.
• Understanding safeguarding and safe Early Years practice.
• Willingness to follow EYFS framework and complete observations/records.
• Able to support children with different needs and starting points.

Responsibilities

• Build warm and secure relationships with children.
• Help every child feel they belong and support development.
• Create engaging opportunities to learn through play.
• Follow children's interests and turn everyday experiences into discovery.
• Support communication, language and social development.
• Encourage creativity, curiosity and problem-solving.
• Provide exciting indoor and outdoor experiences.
• Observe development and plan next steps.
• Maintain safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Collaborate with colleagues and share good practice.

Skills

Caring

Patient

Dependable

Enthusiastic

Relationship building

Safeguarding

EYFS knowledge

Observations

Inclusive learning

Education

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner

Studying Early Years qualification

Job description

Description

A place where children thrive. A career where you can too.

There aren't many careers where the moments you create today can shape a child's future.

That's the impact of Early Years education.

At the YMCA Fairthorne Group, Fairthorne Manor Nursery, we're looking for warm, patient, curious and caring people who want to help children learn, grow and thrive through play-based learning.

Because while qualifications matter, the person behind them matters even more.

A working week with more room for life

Our full-time Early Years Practitioners work 40 hours across four days, giving you:

4 working days, 3 days off every week.

More time for family, friends, hobbies and life outside work. Part-time and job-share opportunities may also be available.

Welcome to the YMCA Fairthorne Manor Nursery

Set within 95 acres of woodland and open space near Botley, Fairthorne Manor Nursery gives children a very different kind of Early Years experience.

Children are cared for from babies through to preschool age, with nature, outdoor play and exploration woven naturally into everyday nursery life. The setting includes extensive outdoor space and a newly developed baby room designed to be calm, nurturing and inclusive.

Here, learning might happen indoors, in the garden or out in the wider grounds.

Children have space to explore, get muddy, notice the changing seasons, build confidence and develop independence through real experiences.

It’s a nursery where the outdoors isn’t an occasional activity.

It’s part of everyday life.

Children learn best when they’re actively engaged, curious and having fun. Learning might look like:

• exploring nature outdoors


• building, creating and problem-solving


• investigating how things work


• storytelling, role play and imaginative play


• developing independence, resilience and social skills

As an Early Years Practitioner, you’ll:

• build warm and secure relationships with children


• help every child feel that they belong


• support children’s confidence, independence and emotional development


• create engaging opportunities to learn through play


• follow children’s interests and turn everyday experiences into opportunities for discovery


• support communication, language and social development


• encourage creativity, curiosity and problem-solving


• provide exciting indoor and outdoor experiences


• observe children’s development and use what you learn to support what comes next


• build positive relationships with parents and carers


• support children with different needs, experiences and starting points


• work closely with colleagues and share ideas and good practice


• maintain a safe, welcoming and inclusive nursery environment


• keep children safe through excellent safeguarding and Early Years practice.

We welcome applications from:

• qualified Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Practitioners


• those studying towards an Early Years qualification

More than your next childcare job

Joining the YMCA Fairthorne Group Nursery is more than finding your next childcare job.

If you’re looking for an Early Years Practitioner or Nursery Practitioner role in Southampton, or you’re considering your first step into childcare and Early Years education, we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

Requirements

We welcome applications from candidates who:

• Are caring, patient, dependable and enthusiastic about helping children thrive


• Can build positive relationships with children, parents, carers and colleagues


• Are committed to inclusive, play-based learning and outdoor experiences


• Understand the importance of safeguarding and safe Early Years practice


• Are willing to follow the EYFS framework and complete observations and records


• Can support children with different needs, experiences and starting points


• Are willing to undertake all required safer-recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check

Up to £30,368 per annum

Benefits

We want you to thrive at work and beyond. That’s why you’ll enjoy:

• 100% childcare discount at our nursery— saving you up to£16,000 a year


• Up to 30 days’ holiday, plus bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days


• A celebration leave day— an extra day off to celebrate whatever matters to you


• Health Cash Planand access to a wellbeing assistance programme


• Retail discounts, discounted gym membership and Blue Light Card eligibility


• Career development opportunitiesto help you learn, progress and achieve your goals


• Fantastic day-camp savings— one free week and one week at 50% off per child, every year


• Discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Group, including camping, activities, river hire and day camps


• Cycle to Work scheme


• High-quality resourcesand a modern working environment


• Most importantly, a warm, caring and supportive culturewhere you’ll feel welcomed and valued