Nursery Manager

Family First Nursery Group; Wickford; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare provider in Wickford is seeking a Senior Nursery Practitioner to support the Room Leader in daily operations and ensure the highest standards of care. The role requires a Level 3 childcare qualification and offers a generous benefits package, including 24 days of annual leave, childcare discounts, and professional development opportunities. Join a dedicated team focused on creating a warm and engaging atmosphere for children.

Benefits

24 days annual leave plus a paid day off for your birthday

75% off nursery fees for team members

Confidential employee assistance helpline

Tailored learning and development opportunities

Company Pension Scheme

Referral Programme with cash bonuses

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provide stimulating and purposeful experiences to children.
• Ensure the requirements of the statutory framework for the EYFS are met.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the nursery.
• Facilitate a strong key person approach to enable secure attachments.

Skills

Full and relevant Level 3 childcare qualification

Fluent in written and spoken English

Over 2 years’ experience in Early Years

Knowledge of the EYFS statutory framework

Job description

Just Imagine Wickford Station Avenue – Senior Nursery Practitioner (Level 3)

Location: Wickford Station Avenue

Role: Senior Nursery Practitioner - Level 3 - Full-Time

Salary: GBP27,268.80 per annum + Qualification Bonus: GBP400 (Qualification Recognition bonus) for Level 3 Practitioners across all nurseries. Bonus paid after 6 months of service, based on a 40-hour week; pro-rata for part-time staff.

We value the dedication and expertise of our Level 3 Practitioners and invite you to join our baby room, which accommodates up to 12 children per day with 4 staff members. Parents describe our team as not only well-qualified but also compassionate, providing a warm and nurturing environment. The facility is immaculate with strict safety measures to ensure a secure and healthy environment. The curriculum is engaging and age-appropriate, contributing to each child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.

As a Senior Nursery Practitioner you will support the Room Leader in the day-to-day 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 who can embed the EYFS and children’s interests into planning and day-to-day activities, always putting the child at the centre.

Our nursery is open from 7.00am–7.00pm, Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year; your shift pattern would be within these times.

Senior Nursery Practitioner – main duties and responsibilities:

• Provide stimulating and purposeful experiences, environments, and resources to children that are appropriate to their age and stage of development.
• Understand and ensure the requirements of the statutory framework for the EYFS are met.
• Ensure the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene in the nursery and promote 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.
• Prioritize children’s emotional well-being.

Duties and responsibilities 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 EYFS statutory framework and regulatory requirements – desirable

Why Join Us?

Family First offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 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 our team members
• Health & wellbeing programme: Confidential employee assistance helpline and staff with mental health first aid training
• Development: Tailored learning and development opportunities to support your career growth
• Company Pension Scheme
• Referral Programme: Refer a friend for a role and receive a cash bonus if they are successful

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for all posts. This post is subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duty.

Just Imagine Wickford Station Avenue is part of the Family First Group, which is committed to equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families, with no place for discrimination based on 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.

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