Nursery Practitioner

Recruit by Nature; West Grinstead; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

80% childcare discount

Welcome bonus £1,000

33 days annual leave

Seasonal bonuses

Wellbeing support

Healthcare plan

Staff socials

CPD opportunities

Mentor support

Internal CPD pathway

Career progression

Christmas shopping support

Art collaborations

Job summary

Recruit by Nature is seeking a Nursery Practitioner for West Grinstead, West Sussex, RH13. The setting combines countryside, farm experiences, and a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to learning for children aged three months to five years.

The role is full-time at the nursery, based in West Grinstead, RH13, with 40 hours per week on a rota and in-person duties across indoor and outdoor spaces. Excellent benefits and development opportunities are provided.

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK is required.
• Level 2 and Level 3 childcare qualifications welcomed; experienced applicants without a formal qualification may be considered.
• Practical nursery-practitioner experience in an early years setting.
• Interest in child-led learning and outdoor experiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide warm, responsive care reflecting each child's needs.
• Support play experiences aligned to children's interests.
• Observe and document children's development to inform learning.
• Encourage communication, independence and positive relationships in routines.
• Help children explore outdoor spaces and farm experiences safely.
• Contribute to creative activities and projects for expression.
• Collaborate with colleagues and families to maintain consistent care and share information.
• Follow safeguarding and nursery procedures to ensure a secure learning environment.

Job description

Nursery Practitioner - West Grinstead, West Sussex, RH13

Join a growing nursery team where countryside surroundings, farm experiences and creative projects help children discover their interests. This Nursery Practitioner position in West Grinstead, West Sussex, RH13 supports children aged three months to five years through a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to childcare. The setting has recently expanded into additional renovated space and welcomes experienced practitioners who enjoy outdoor learning, thoughtful care and strong relationships with families.

Employment Type

Full-time, permanent, working at the nursery.

Salary

£26,500-£30,000 per annum, depending on qualification and experience, plus benefits.

Benefits

The employer's publicly advertised benefits and development package includes the following. Eligibility, availability and current terms for this position will need to be confirmed during recruitment.

• 80% childcare discount.
• A £1,000 welcome bonus, subject to eligibility and availability.
• 33 days' annual leave including bank holidays, with an option to buy or sell leave.
• Seasonal bonuses, employee reward schemes and long-service rewards.
• Wellbeing support, an Employee Assistance Programme and healthcare cash plan.
• Staff socials, fun days and team meals.
• International CPD opportunities and professional development trips.
• Further education funding and leadership development opportunities.
• An advertised training pathway combining induction, a 12-module academy and dedicated mentor support.
• A CPD Tracker, role-specific development reviews and three group CPD inset days annually.
• Internal career progression and promotion opportunities.
• Christmas shopping support and opportunities to collaborate with professional artists in creative Ateliers.

Working Hours & Shift Pattern

Full-time, permanent employment.
Based at the nursery in West Grinstead, RH13.

• 40 hours per week.
• Working hours arranged on a rota basis.
• In-person work across the nursery's indoor and outdoor learning environments.

Job Description

As a Nursery Practitioner, you will deliver responsive care and support children's learning within an expanding nursery in the RH13 area. Working alongside fellow educators, you will help children feel secure, develop relationships and explore ideas through play.
The nursery combines a countryside setting with farm experiences, a garden and a dedicated Atelier art studio. Its Reggio Emilia-inspired approach gives children opportunities to develop projects from their own questions and interests. For candidates working in nurseries & early years, the appeal is the connection between attentive everyday care, outdoor discovery and creative expression.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide warm, responsive care that reflects each child's individual needs and stage of development.
• Support play experiences that build on children's interests, ideas and curiosity.
• Observe children's engagement and development to help inform appropriate learning experiences.
• Encourage communication, independence and positive relationships through daily nursery routines.
• Help children explore outdoor spaces and age-appropriate farm experiences safely.
• Contribute to creative activities and projects that give children different ways to express their thinking.
• Work closely with colleagues and families to maintain consistent care and share relevant information.
• Follow the nursery's safeguarding, care and safety procedures to maintain a secure learning environment.

Essential Requirements

• You must already have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this role.
• Level 2 and Level 3 childcare qualifications are welcomed. Experienced applicants without a formal qualification may be considered individually.
• Practical nursery-practitioner experience and familiarity with caring for children in an early years setting.
• An interest in child-led learning, outdoor experiences and early childhood development.
• The ability to respond to children's care needs, support purposeful play and communicate observations about their learning.
• A warm, relationship-led approach to children, families and colleagues.
• The ability to take responsibility for your daily practice within the nursery team and attend the setting for the agreed 40-hour rota.
• Also suitable for: Early Years Practitioner, Early Years Educator, Nursery Nurse, Childcare Practitioner.

Company Culture

As a Nursery Practitioner, you will be joining a team that is growing alongside the setting's recent expansion. Children's questions and interests guide the learning approach, with educators helping ideas develop through exploration, conversation and creative work. The nursery values relationships and an understanding of how children learn through practical experiences. Mentoring and development conversations form part of the support described by the employer, giving practitioners space to reflect on their practice and discuss their aspirations.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so early interest is warmly encouraged.