Nursery Nurse | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health services trust in Reading is seeking a qualified Level 3 Nursery Nurse to provide daily care and activities for children. You will support developmental needs, build relationships with parents, and ensure a stimulating environment. The ideal candidate has an NVQ 3 in childcare and a strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This role offers a salary between £24,937 to £26,598 and a range of benefits including flexible working options and generous leave.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days’ annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Learning and career development opportunities

Cycle to Work and car leasing scheme

Discounts at popular retailers

Free parking across Trust site

Qualifications

• NVQ 3 in childcare or equivalent qualification.
• Understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for a group of children, providing daily care and activities.
• Support children from 6 months to reception age.
• Build strong relationships with parents.
• Maintain development records and report to Team Leader.

Skills

Understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage

Knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection

Education

NVQ 3 in childcare or equivalent

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a qualified Level 3 Nursery Nurse to join our team.

Location: Little Dragons, Reading

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598

Employer: Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Responsibilities

• You will be responsible for a group of children, providing daily care, activities, and completing developmental reviews.
• You will support children from 6 months to reception age, ensuring high standards of care and learning in a safe, stimulating environment, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• You will support and inspire children to become independent, creative, and confident individuals. By planning engaging and stimulating activities, you will help children achieve their full potential. Building strong relationships with parents is essential.
• You will maintain a positive, caring approach, contribute creative ideas, and work collaboratively within the team. Bring experience in working with children with special needs, working closely with the nursery team and the area SENCO to provide the best support.
• Encouraging all areas of the children’s development within EYFS with appropriate activities, play opportunities, and actions through imaginative play and innovative programming.
• Compiling and maintaining development records on children and reporting to the Team Leader at agreed intervals.
• Providing a stimulating, friendly and caring environment at all times.
• Demonstrating good practice with regard to special needs and inclusion, working with the nursery and area SENCO as appropriate.
• Being a key carer carrying out all related responsibilities in building relationships with a small group of children and their families.
• Working with Early Years and other professional teams to continuously improve the quality of childcare and education and to learn about current developments in childcare practice and policy.

About Berkshire Healthcare

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 are supported to flourish.

Values at Berkshire Healthcare:

• 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
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
• Free parking across Trust site

Requirements

• NVQ 3 in childcare or equivalent qualification in line with those listed on the ‘qualification finder’ section of www.education.gov.uk
• An understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage
• A knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection

Application and equality

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 on 0118 9585316 or email [e-mail] who’ll be delighted to help.

*Applications for this role will be considered on a first come first serve basis and we may close the vacancy early if the right candidate is found.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

This advert closes on Wednesday 1 Oct 2025