Nursery Practitioner

Caring Kindergartens Ltd; Monkston; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

60% nursery discount

Christmas time off

Training and development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Caring Kindergartens Ltd is seeking a dedicated Nursery Practitioner. You will build strong relationships with children and families, plan engaging activities, and observe development to identify next steps.

You’ll work as part of a caring team to provide a warm, safe nursery experience where every child matters. We value reflective practice, ongoing learning and a genuine passion for helping young children grow.

Qualifications

• Level 3 childcare qualification recognised by the Department for Education.
• Solid understanding of EYFS and how children learn and develop.
• Commitment to safeguarding and following policies and procedures.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Ability to plan engaging experiences and observe development to identify next steps.
• Strong communication within a team and willingness to learn and develop.

Responsibilities

• Previous experience in an early years setting and managing key children effectively.
• Meet safeguarding and safer recruitment requirements (DBS and references).
• Create a warm, welcoming environment where every child matters.
• Plan, deliver and assess age-appropriate experiences to support development.
• Collaborate with families and colleagues to support each child’s journey.

Skills

Level 3 childcare qualification

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding

Relationship-building

Planning experiences

Communication

Reflective practice

Warmth and passion

Education

Level 3 childcare qualification

Job description

Qualifications

• Holds a Level 3 childcare qualification recognised by the Department for Education.
• Has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and how children learn and develop.
• Understands the importance of safeguarding, keeping children safe and following policies and procedures.
• Enjoys building positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Can plan engaging experiences, observe children's development and identify their next steps.
• Communicates effectively and contributes positively to a team.
• Is willing to reflect, learn, share ideas and continue developing professionally.
• Brings warmth, patience, enthusiasm and a genuine passion for working with young children.

Experience & Safety

Previous experience in an early years setting is important, alongside the ability to manage your key children effectively and confidently. You'll also need to meet our safer recruitment requirements, including the appropriate DBS and reference checks. Most importantly, we want someone who understands that every child matters, every family deserves a warm welcome and every member of the team has a part to play in creating a positive nursery experience.

Could Caring Kindergartens be the right place for you? If you're looking for more than just a job, want to be part of a team that cares about what it does, and are ready to bring your enthusiasm and ideas to a role where no two days are the same, we'd love to hear from you. You don't need to have all the answers. You do need a caring nature, a willingness to learn and a commitment to giving children the best possible start. Come and be part of a team where little moments make a big difference.

About Caring Kindergartens

Caring Kindergartens | Helping little people grow, every day.

Do you believe the little things you do today can make a big difference tomorrow? At Caring Kindergartens, we believe childhood should be full of curiosity, discovery, laughter and opportunities to grow. Every child is unique, every achievement deserves celebrating, and every day brings a new opportunity to make a difference. One day, you could be helping a budding scientist explore the world around them. The next, joining a teddy bear's picnic, building an incredible den or helping a little one discover the confidence to try something new. And somewhere amongst the paint-covered fingers, muddy wellies, curious questions and proud little smiles, you'll be doing something truly important: helping children build the foundations for their future.

At CK, children are at the heart of everything we do, but we know that great childcare starts with great people. We want our team to feel welcomed, supported and able to contribute their ideas. We believe in working together, learning from one another and creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to develop.

As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Make a real difference – build meaningful relationships with children and their families, celebrating achievements big and small.
• Bring learning to life – follow children's interests, spark their curiosity and create exciting play experiences that help them discover the world.
• Be part of something bigger – work alongside colleagues who share a commitment to children's wellbeing, learning and development.
• Grow in confidence – reflect on your practice, develop your knowledge and continue building your career in Early Years.
• Share your ideas – contribute to an inclusive, welcoming nursery environment where teamwork and positive relationships matter.

What will your days look like?

No two days are ever the same, but every day offers the chance to make a difference. You'll build strong relationships with your key children, get to know their individual personalities and interests, and help them take their next steps in learning and development. You'll plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate experiences, observe children's progress, capture their achievements and use what you learn to extend their thinking, communication, independence and confidence. You'll help create a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where children can explore, take supported risks, develop friendships and feel proud of what they can do. You'll also work closely with colleagues and families, sharing information, celebrating progress and helping to ensure every child receives the care, attention and opportunities they deserve. Of course, being a Nursery Practitioner is about more than activities and observations. It's about knowing when a child needs encouragement, when they need comfort, when to celebrate a breakthrough and when simply being there makes all the difference. It's the little moments that often mean the most.

Why choose Caring Kindergartens?

At Caring Kindergartens, we believe that when our people feel valued, supported and inspired, they can do their very best work for our children. We're proud to be one big team, where everyone's contribution matters, achievements are celebrated and people are encouraged to grow. We want you to feel that CK is somewhere you belong, where your voice is heard and where you can build a career you're proud of.

• A team that celebrates you – We recognise achievements, celebrate successes and value the contribution every individual makes. We want you to feel welcomed, included and appreciated as part of our team.
• Exclusive discounts and everyday savings – Enjoy access to a wide range of discounts across high street brands, travel, utilities, days out and more, helping you make your money go further.
• A helping hand with childcare costs – If your child attends a Caring Kindergartens nursery, you can benefit from a generous 60% discount on nursery fees, helping to make balancing work and family life a little easier.
• Christmas with the people who matter – We understand how important time with family and friends can be, particularly over the festive season, so we guarantee time off over the Christmas and New Year period.
• Support to help you succeed – From the training and resources you need to do your job confidently to regular check‑ins and opportunities to share your thoughts, we want you to feel supported, listened to and comfortable asking questions.
• A career that can grow with you – Whether you're starting your Early Years journey or looking to take your next step, we'll work with you to explore your ambitions and development opportunities across our nurseries.
• Our NURTURE programme – We want to help you reach your potential. Our NURTURE programme supports your development and helps prepare you for future opportunities and progression within Early Years.
• Your wellbeing matters – Your health and wellbeing are important to us. You'll have access to ongoing internal support and our Employee Assistance Programme, providing additional support when you need it.
• Everything you need in one place – Our employee app makes it easier to manage your work life, with access to rotas, annual leave, policies and documents, alongside an internal social platform where colleagues share ideas, activities and team challenges.
• Inclusion from day one – We believe everyone deserves to feel welcomed, respected and included from the moment they join CK. Our Day One Inclusion approach reflects our commitment to treating every member of the team fairly and making sure everyone has the opportunity to contribute and belong.

At Caring Kindergartens, you're more than the role you do. You're part of a team that cares about children, supports one another and believes in helping people grow. Come and be part of something special.