Nursery Practitioner-Level 3

Tops Day Nurseries; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

60% childcare discount

Blue Light Card & Each Person perks

Health & wellbeing support

Generous holiday allowance

Job summary

Tops Day Nurseries in Gillingham, Dorset, is looking for a dedicated Nursery Practitioner to support babies and children up to five years old. You’ll help create a safe, caring environment and lead age-appropriate play and learning activities.

This role involves day‑to‑day care, observing development, maintaining records, and communicating with families. You’ll work with a passionate team in a busy, welcoming nursery that values safeguarding and well‑being.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 Early Years Qualification required.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and DBS arrangements advised.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care (feeding, changings, toilet training) in a safe, clean, stimulating environment.
• Develop and lead age-appropriate activities to promote social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills.
• Observe development, identify concerns, support motor, language, and social progress through play.
• Keep children safe and emotionally supported, fostering independent exploration.
• Maintain records of progress, milestones and needs under EYFS guidelines.
• Communicate regularly with parents about progress, needs and concerns.

Education

Level 3 Early Years Qualification

Job description

Location: Gillingham, Dorset, United Kingdom Dorset

Job type: Full Time Permanent

Salary: £14.10 Hour (depend on qualification)

Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week

Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?

At Tops Day Nurseries, we’ve been shaping futures since 1990. As the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group, we know that valuing people is the key to success. When you join us, you become more than an employee you become a co-owner with a voice, opportunities to grow, and a share in our success.

With over 30 nurseries across the South of England, we provide outstanding early years education and childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. With opportunities for Apprenticeship, Nursery practitioners, Nursery Managers & Casual staff, we are always looking for passionate individuals to join us.

We’re proud to be recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025 and one of the Top 10 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK (2024).

About The Role

Our Nursery Practitioners look after the educational and social development of babies and young children up to the age of five. Their primary duties include providing children with a safe environment to learn, helping them to develop basic social and behavioural skills and engaging them in age-appropriate play activities. In joining us, you’ll also become part of our extended family. You’ll work alongside other team members who are passionate about providing care, warmth and kindness to all those who work in our Nurseries.

About The Nursery

Tops Gillingham Nursery is a 96-place day nursery and preschool providing Early Education and Care for children aged 3 months to school age. We offer a safe, caring, and inspiring environment where children feel valued and supported by our long-standing, dedicated team. Our purposefully designed learning spaces encourage imagination and exploration through open-ended play and sensory-rich experiences. Children benefit from a large enclosed garden with a bug hotel, beach area, and rowing boat, as well as regular access to local parks, countryside walks, and community outings.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe in rewarding our team for their hard work and dedication. Here are some of the fantastic benefits you’ll enjoy as part of our family.

• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
• Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
• Health & wellbeing support- NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
• A generous holiday allowance- including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!

As well as many more exciting benefits! You can view the full list on our page or Careers website!

What does the role involve?

• Providing day-to-day care, including feeding, changing diapers, and helping children with toilet training. They also ensure a safe, clean, and stimulating environment.
• Developing and leading fun, age-appropriate activities that promote learning and development, focusing on key areas like social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills.
• Observing children’s development and identifying any areas of concern. They help children develop their motor skills, language, and social interactions through play and structured learning.
• Ensuring that children are safe and emotionally supported. They create an atmosphere that encourages children to explore and learn independently.
• Keeping records of each child’s progress, including documenting milestones, behaviors, and developmental needs. This is often part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in the UK.
• Maintaining regular communication with parents or guardians about their child’s progress, needs, and any concerns that arise.

What are we looking for?

• A minimum of a Level 3 Early Years Qualification is required.
• Have a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures

Important Safeguarding Information

Because this role involves regulated activity with children, all candidates must:

• Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll need to cover the cost.
• Be eligible to work in regulated roles- not on the Children’s Barred List.
• Successfully complete background and reference checks.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

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