Nursery Manager

Family First Nursery Group; Wickford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare organization located in Wickford is seeking a Senior Nursery Practitioner to support the day-to-day operations of a baby room. The ideal candidate will be Level 3 qualified and have experience in early years education. Key responsibilities include providing a nurturing environment, meeting EYFS requirements, and engaging with children to foster their development. Competitive salary and excellent benefits including annual leave and employee discounts are offered.

Benefits

Starting annual leave of 24 days

75% off nursery fees for team members

Health & wellbeing programme

Tailored learning and development opportunities

Company Pension Scheme

Referral Programme

Qualifications

• Full and relevant Level 3 childcare qualification – essential.
• Fluent in written and spoken English – essential.
• Over 2 years’ experience in Early Years – desirable.
• Knowledge of the statutory framework for the EYFS and regulatory requirements – desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide stimulating experiences and resources for children.
• Ensure EYFS framework requirements are met.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
• Facilitate a strong key-person approach for children.
• Attend regular team meetings.

Skills

Level 3 childcare qualification

Fluency in written and spoken English

Experience in Early Years

Knowledge of EYFS framework

Job description

Job Title & Compensation

Senior Nursery Practitioner - Level 3 - Full-Time

Salary: £27,268.80 per annum + Qualification Bonus: £400 Qualification Recognition bonus to all Level 3 Practitioners across all our Nurseries. This bonus will be paid after just 6 months of service (based on a 40‑hour working week; bonus will be pro‑rota for part‑time staff).

About the Role

Are you a Level 3 qualified practitioner looking for additional responsibilities and progression? Join our baby room at Just Imagine Wickford Station Avenue. Our baby room accommodates up to 12 children per day with 4 members of staff. Parents describe the environment as warm, nurturing, and safe, with immaculate facilities and strict safety measures.

As a Senior Nursery Practitioner you will support the Room Leader in the day‑to‑day smooth running of the room and step up in their absence to ensure the team is well supported. You will be an inspirational and knowledgeable member of the team, embedding the EYFS and children’s interests into planning and day‑to‑day activities, always putting the child at the centre.

The nursery is open from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm, Monday to Friday, 51 weeks a year. Your shift pattern will fall within these times.

Senior Nursery Practitioner Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide stimulating and purposeful experiences, environments, and resources appropriate to children's age and stage of development.
• Ensure statutory EYFS framework requirements are met.
• Maintain the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene, promoting these daily in every routine.
• Undertake any other duties to ensure the smooth running of the nursery and the safety and wellbeing of children, staff, and families.
• Maintain strictly professional relationships and report any complaints or concerns to management in accordance with company policy and procedures.
• Facilitate a strong key‑person approach to enable children to form secure attachments and cover all children daily when colleagues are absent.
• Attend regular team meetings to stay updated on key priorities, changes, developments, and to review company policies and procedures.
• Give unquestionable priority to children’s emotional wellbeing.

Duties and responsibilities listed are not exhaustive; changes and other duties relevant to this post may be added.

Requirements and Skills

• Full and relevant Level 3 childcare qualification – essential
• Fluent in written and spoken English – essential
• Over 2 years’ experience in Early Years – desirable
• Knowledge of the statutory framework for the EYFS and regulatory requirements – desirable

Why Join Us?

• Annual Leave: Starting at 24 days, plus a paid day off for your birthday and bank holidays
• Employee discount/Childcare: 75% off nursery fees for team members
• Health & wellbeing programme: Confidential employee assistance helpline and mental health first aid trained staff
• Development: Tailored learning and development opportunities to support your career growth
• Company Pension Scheme
• Referral Programme: Recommend a friend for a role and receive a cash bonus if successful

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate will be required for all posts; this post will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our Safeguarding Duty.

Just Imagine Wickford Station Avenue is part of the Family First Group, where we treat everyone as a person, with equal rights and responsibilities. We are committed to equality of opportunity and anti‑discriminatory practice for all children and families. Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within the Family First Group.

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