Nursery Practitioner

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university is seeking a full-time Nursery Practitioner to provide high-quality care for children aged 0-5 at The Maples Day Nursery. The role involves ensuring safety, stimulating play experiences, and implementing individual care plans. Ideal candidates must have a Childcare NVQ Level 3 and experience working with young children. Benefits include 40 days paid holiday and ongoing training opportunities, all while working alongside a supportive team in a vibrant environment.

Benefits

40 days paid holiday a year

Paid day for volunteering

Occupational sick pay

Discounted gym membership

Ongoing training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Understanding of health and safety in a childcare setting.
• Knowledge of Child Protection procedures.
• Ability to deal with challenging behaviours.
• Willingness to undertake training.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.
• Implement key worker system to address individual needs.
• Observe and maintain records of children's activities.
• Ensure a safe, child-friendly environment.
• Feed babies and meet nutritional needs.

Skills

Childcare and Education NVQ Level 3

GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C or above

Experience in working with children from birth to 5 years

Positive behaviour management

Good communication skills

Reliability

Punctuality

Teamwork

Good organisational skills

Education

Childcare and Education NVQ Level 3

Job description

Position Details

Nurseries

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £25,618 to £27,126

Grade: 3

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 4th January 2026

Role Summary

The role of the Nursery Practitioner is to ensure that all children attending The Maples Day Nursery receive high quality care, are kept safe, and receive rich and stimulating play experiences which meet their individual needs and support all aspects and components of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. This role will entail light domestic duties as and when required in the playrooms.

This role as a Nursery Practitioner is working up to 35 hours per week for a private early years day nursery based in leafy Edgbaston, next to the University of Birmingham campus offering excellent public transport links. You will receive a generous package of benefits including:

• 40 days paid holiday a year
• 1 paid day a year for volunteering
• 2 paid staff training days
• Occupational sick pay
• Discounted gym membership at the new sports centre
• Recognition scheme
• Staff discount on childcare
• An in-depth induction to the nursery including EYFS
• Ongoing training and development opportunities

Main Duties

• Provide high quality, positive care for babies and children from 6 weeks old to 5 years through social, emotional, educational, and practical interaction, nurturing, and guidance. And having good/clear understanding of developmental stages.
• Make sure the babies are kept safe, are well, and that Child Protection Procedures are followed.
• Implement the key worker system to address the individual needs of each child, family, and carers.
• Observe and keep records of the activities and progress of children.
• Complete parental inductions to liaise and ensure a smooth transition from home to nursery.
• Partner with parents/carers to keep them informed of their child’s day and progress.
• Organise, maintain and ensure a clean, tidy, hygienic, safe, child‑friendly environment.
• Supervise activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, reading, music, and outdoor and physical activities.
• Maintain toys and equipment.
• Feed babies and ensure the nutritional needs of babies and children are met via a variety of stages from preparation of bottles, weaning to full solid diet that complies with Food Safety Regulations and NHS Guidance.
• Change nappies and help children with potty/toilet training.
• Help children to learn social, emotional, numeracy, language, and practical skills.
• Work with staff within the nursery to provide a high quality nursery service.
• Work with outside professional bodies or agencies as appropriate.
• Implement the daily routine of the nursery.
• Participate in meetings.
• Follow the nursery’s practices, processes, and procedures. E.g. positive behaviour management techniques.
• Learn about developments in childcare and undertake training as required.
• Ensure the health and safety of colleagues and children, complying with all Health and Safety requirements.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect, support equality, and value diversity.
• Undertake other duties as required.
• Know your children.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Childcare and Education NVQ Level 3
• GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C or above
• Experience in working with children from birth to 5 years and positive behaviour management
• Knowledge of developments in early years of education and willingness to undertake training
• Knowledge of legislation, regulations, inspection criteria, and curriculum relevant to Early Years
• Understanding of how to ensure health and safety and hygiene in a childcare setting
• Understanding of and commitment to Child Protection procedures
• Suitability and ability to care for children, including the ability to deal with challenging behaviours
• Ability to communicate well and work well with children and adults from diverse backgrounds
• Reliable
• Punctual
• Ability to write legibly and present information well
• Ability to work well as part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect early years’ childcare
• Ability and willingness to take on duties as required

DBS required

Recruitment and Safety

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre‑employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Contact

Informal enquiries to Sarah Perrott, email:[e-mail] or Jen Owen email: [e-mail], phone: [phone]

Use of AI in applications

We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.