Nursery Practitioner (Lunch Cover)

The Old Station Nursery; Henley-on-Thames; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free childcare for first month

52% discount based on working hours

31 days of holiday + birthday off

Access to The National College

One paid volunteer day per year

Perkbox discounts and Blue Light Card

Job summary

The Old Station Nursery Henley in Henley-on-Thames is seeking a Nursery Practitioner for lunch-cover shifts. No Early Years qualification is required to start; bring enthusiasm, kindness and a willingness to learn, and you will join a team ready to support your growth.

Pay ranges from £12.71 to £14.94 per hour, with 16-20 hours across Monday to Friday, 10:30am–2:30pm. Benefits include childcare support, holiday entitlement, and access to development opportunities.

Qualifications

• No Early Years qualification is required to start.
• Enthusiasm, kindness and willingness to learn are valued assets.

Responsibilities

• Create a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels welcome and valued.
• Plan and deliver play-based activities that follow children’s interests and support learning.
• Build understanding ofEYFS and how it shapes daily practice.
• Notice and celebrate children’s progress, contributing to observations and records.
• Build positive relationships with families and share daily updates.
• Support routines including meals, personal care, and rest with patience and kindness.
• Follow safeguarding, safety and hygiene procedures and ask for guidance when unsure.
• Share ideas and learn alongside colleagues.

Skills

Interest in working with children

Enthusiasm and kindness

Willingness to learn

Team player

Education

No qualification required

Job description

Join Our Team as a Nursery Practitioner (Lunch Cover)

Bring your curiosity and care -and discover where Early Years could take you.

At The Old Station Nursery, we believe everyone is still growing -little humans and big humans alike. As a Nursery Practitioner at Henley, you’ll help children learn through play, build their confidence, and feel safe and cared for.

You don’t need an Early Years qualification to get started. Bring your enthusiasm, kindness, and willingness to learn, and you’ll find colleagues ready to share their knowledge and help you grow.

Why Join Our Team?

We take care of the people who care for our children and families. Here’s what that means for you:

• Childcare support: Free childcare for your first month, followed by a 52% discount based on your working hours.

• Time to recharge: 31 days of holiday, including national bank holidays, plus your birthday off and an extra day after 3 years of service.

• Space to grow: Access to The National College, with a library of courses and training to develop your practice and leadership.

• Connection to your community: One paid day each year to volunteer and support a cause that matters to you.

• Everyday support: With access to Perkbox, enjoy discounts on shopping, meals out, and everyday essentials, alongside wellbeing tools and online medical services. You’ll also be eligible for a Blue Light Card, helping your money go further with even more discounts.

• Recognition along the way: We celebrate the care and commitment you bring, with Employee of the Month recognition, long-service awards to mark your milestones, and referral bonuses for introducing friends or family to our team.

Pay:£12.71 - £14.94 per hour, based on experience and qualification.

Hours: 16-20hours over 5 days (Monday - Friday). Shifts between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Location

The Old Station Nursery Henley, Orchard Farm
Fairmile
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
RG9 6AD

Where You'll Be Working

The Old Station Nursery Henley is a recently refurbished, premium nursery offering three distinct learning enhancements for your child; these are a Forest School, Organic growing and food and child-friendly cooking classes. Located on Fair Mile Orchard Farm, the jewel in the crown at The Old Station Nursery Henley is the wonderful Forest School. Surrounded by fields and woodland areas we are lucky to have a Forest School area within our own garden as well as a wooded area at the top of the hill. The Old Station Nursery Henley is located on the edge of Henley-on-Thames. If you are coming from Oxford, turn off Fairmile on your left, after the Stonor Park turning, following the signs. If you are coming from Henley, we are located on the right about half a mile down the Fairmile, again looking out for the signs. There is a car park next to the nursery for convenience.

What You'll Be Doing

Working alongside experienced colleagues, you’ll help create a welcoming nursery day filled with play, discovery, and caring routines.

One moment you might be joining in with imaginative play or helping children explore paint and textures. The next, you could be offering reassurance, helping with lunchtime, or celebrating a new achievement.

With support from your team, you’ll:

• Create a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels welcome and valued

• Help plan and deliver play-based activities that follow children’s interests and support their learning

• Build your understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and how it shapes everyday practice

• Notice and celebrate children’s progress, contributing to observations and records with guidance from colleagues

• Build positive relationships with families and share updates about children’s days

• Support everyday routines, including meals, personal care, and rest, with patience and kindness

• Follow safeguarding, safety, and hygiene procedures, asking for guidance whenever you’re unsure

• Share ideas, lend a hand, and learn alongside your colleagues

Our values are simple: Own it. Be human. Make it happen. In your role, that means being reliable, treating others with care, and getting involved while recognising when to ask for support.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll bring:

• A genuine interest in working with children and supporting their development

• Kindness, patience, and a willingness to see things from a child’s perspective

• Curiosity and enthusiasm for learning new skills

• A reliable approach and the ability to work closely with others

• Openness to feedback and the confidence to ask questions

• A commitment to keeping children safe and helping them feel included

Whether you’re exploring Early Years for the first time or bringing experience from another childcare setting, we’d love to hear what you could bring to our community.

If you have any questions about the role, our Recruitment Team will be happy to help at [e-mail].

Please note: we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, verification of your right to work in the UK, and any essential qualifications. If successful, our Onboarding Team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to support fairness and accessibility for all candidates. This role involves regulated activity with children.