Nursery Practitioner Lunch cover

Little Elms Daycare; Royal Borough of Greenwich; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Service recognition awards – extra day

Employee Assistance Programme

Childcare discount

Support to gain higher qualifications

Internal promotion opportunities

Free Uniform

New starter goody bag

Job summary

Little Elms Daycare is seeking a Nursery Practitioner for lunch cover at our Peninsula nursery in Chandlers Avenue. The role is part-time, 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 15:00, supporting children during lunch and helping with routines.

You will work under the Nursery Manager, ensuring safe mealtimes, promoting independence, and communicating with staff. The role requires Level 2/3 in Early Years or equivalent, excellent communication, and initiative.

Qualifications

• Be able to work Monday to Friday 11am–3pm (year round).
• Level 2/3 or above qualification in early years essential.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to use your own initiative.
• Passion to be shown in day-to-day interaction with children.

Responsibilities

• Ensure children are seated safely and eating appropriately.
• Encourage independence (e.g., using cutlery, pouring water).
• Support social interaction and model good table manners.
• Monitor allergies and dietary requirements carefully.
• Be aware of room ratios and headcounts at all times.
• Ensure safe transitions to and from lunch (to toileting, handwashing, sleep areas).
• Stay vigilant and responsive to children's needs.
• Provide or supervise quiet play, story time, or restful activities during and after lunch.
• Keep the environment calm to support children who may be resting or napping.
• Assist children settling down for naps.
• Monitor sleeping children and complete sleep checks as per policy.
• Provide comfort and reassurance where needed.
• Clear and clean the lunch area (wipe tables, sweep floors, dispose of waste properly).
• Prepare the space for the afternoon session.
• Support children in tidying up when appropriate.
• Communicate any important information to room leads (e.g., incidents, observations, toileting updates).
• Write up any necessary notes or handovers if covering lunch for another staff member.

Skills

Communication skills

Initiative

Child interaction

Education

Level 2/3 Early Years

Job description

Nursery Practitioner Lunch cover

Department: Little Elms Peninsula

Employment Type: Part Time

Location: Little Elms Daycare Nursery Peninsula

Reporting To: Nursery Manager

Compensation: £12.71 - £14.00 / hour

Description

Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Lunch Cover Nursery Nurse to be based at our Peninsula nursery on Chandlers Avenue. The nursery offers state-of-the-art facilities, combining bright and spacious indoor rooms along with fabulous outdoor areas.

You will be working 20 hours per week (Mon-Fri) from 11am to 3pm.

To be considered for the Nursery Nurse Lunch Cover role you must have:

• Be able to work Monday to Friday from 11am to 3pm (all year round)
• Level 2 / 3 or above qualification in early years essential
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Ability to use your own initiative
• Your passion to be shown in your day-to-day interaction with children

Little Elms amazing benefits for you -

• Service recognition awards – get an extra day’s annual leave, for each year worked
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme (provided by BUPA)
• Generous Childcare discount
• Support to gain higher qualifications
• Internal promotion opportunities
• Free Uniform
• New starter goody bag

Things you need to know –

• This position is subject to an Enhanced DBS Certificate and satisfactory employment references.
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake online safeguarding training and all positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
• Little Elms Daycare Nurseries are an Equal Opportunities Employer
• Little Elms Daycare Nurseries is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure children are seated safely and eating appropriately.
• Encourage independence (e.g., using cutlery, pouring water).
• Support social interaction and model good table manners.
• Monitor allergies and dietary requirements carefully.

• Be aware of room ratios and headcounts at all times.
• Ensure safe transitions to and from lunch (e.g., to toileting, handwashing, sleep areas).
• Stay vigilant and responsive to children's needs.

• Provide or supervise quiet play, story time, or restful activities during and after lunch.
• Keep the environment calm to support children who may be resting or napping.

• Assist children settling down for naps.
• Monitor sleeping children and complete sleep checks as per policy.
• Provide comfort and reassurance where needed.

• Clear and clean the lunch area (wipe tables, sweep floors, dispose of waste properly).
• Prepare the space for the afternoon session.
• Support children in tidying up when appropriate.

• Communicate any important information to room leads (e.g., incidents, observations, toileting updates)
• Write up any necessary notes or handovers if covering lunch for another staff member.