Qualified Childcare Practitioner

Eteach International; Epsom; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Funded CPD training opportunities

Two early finishes each week

Full week off over Christmas

Job summary

Epsom Downs Community School and Early Years Centre is seeking a qualified childcare practitioner to join our Day Nursery team. This permanent role offers 36 hours per week across shifts from 7:30am to 6:15pm, with morning, afternoon or full-day sessions.

Ideally, you will hold a Level 3 qualification in childcare; if you are working toward Level 3 from Level 2, we want to hear from you. We support ongoing professional development and even fund a Thrive Early Years Licensed Practitioner training

Qualifications

• Ideally you will have a Level 3 qualification in this field; if you are currently a Level 2 practitioner working towards Level 3 we would welcome hearing from you.
• Proven experience is required for this qualified post.
• Continuing professional development is encouraged and supported.
• We will finance a qualification to become Thrive Early Years Licensed Practitioner for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Work with babies and young children to help them develop healthy attachments and emotional resilience.
• Provide nurturing and individualised childcare for children aged 3 months to 5 years.
• Support outdoor play and learning, including forest school and farm activities.

Skills

Level 3 qualification

Proven experience

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Level 3 childcare qualification

Job description

# Qualified Childcare PractitionerEmployer: Epsom Downs Community School and Early Years CentreLocation: Epsom Downs, SurreyContract Type: PermanentHours: Full Time, Part TimeSalary: £25,879.00 - £27,710.00 Annually (FTE)Posted: 25th September 2026Expires: 12th October 2026 09:00 AMStart Date: As Soon As PossibleJob ID: 1576136* Share :* PrintAbout this RoleWe are looking for someone to join our vibrant Day Nursery as a full time, qualified, member of staff. Ideally, you will have a Level 3 qualification in this field however, if you are currently a level 2 practitioner working towards level 3 we would welcome hearing from you. Proven experience is required for this qualified post, together with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues. Continuing professional development is encouraged and supported. We will finance a qualification to become a Thrive Early Years Licensed Practitioner for the right qualified candidate.You will learn how to work with babies and young children in a way that helps them to develop healthy, secure attachments and provides the foundations needed for emotional resilience, healthy stress regulation and learning.We were proud to be deemed as outstanding by Ofsted in June 2022; “The provision is outstanding. Leaders and staff provide an awe-inspiring, creative learning environment. Children enthusiastically investigate and experiment with a variety of thoughtfully planned activities and resources. The impressive outside area offers an abundance of equipment that includes working traffic lights, a beach and construction site”.We provide nurturing and individualised childcare for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Our excellent local reputation and our flexible approach to offering morning, afternoon or full-day sessions creates a high demand for places. Children are at the heart of our approach in everything that we do and our well resourced open plan environment aids transition, enhances the quality of children’s social interaction, improves the speech development of younger children, enables play with siblings and allows children to take a personal journey on a pathway of discovery.The Day Nursery promotes the importance of outdoor play by having free flow to the outdoor areas all day long. We share excellent outdoor facilities with the school including a small farm, allotments, sports field, playground and dedicated forest school areas. We also have a secure outdoor play area and a large back garden. Children are encouraged to play outside all year round with our weatherproof canopy providing protection in all weathers.This is a permanent role for 36 hours per week, throughout the year. Day Nursery staff all work shift patterns between 7.30am and 6.15pm comprising two 9 hour and 3 shorter days of 6 hours on a rota pattern across Monday to Friday.We believe that when we invest in our staff, they can provide the very best experiences for our children.As part of our team, you'll benefit from:• The opportunity to work within an Outstanding Ofsted nursery alongside an experienced, supportive and enthusiastic team who genuinely put children first.• A fantastic work-life balance, with two early finishes each week, later starts on some days and a predictable rotating shift pattern.• A full week off over Christmas, allowing you to utilise some of your holiday time to enjoy quality time with family and friends.• Outstanding professional development, including funded training opportunities• The chance to develop your own interests and expertise. Whether you're passionate about Forest School, animal-assisted learning, music, art, SEND, speech and language or another specialist area, we'll support you to develop new initiatives that enrich children's experiences.• Unique outdoor learning opportunities, including access to our own farm, and extensive outdoor spaces where children learn through exploration every day.Further information about the school can be found on our website. Candidates are also warmly invited to contact our Day Nursery Manager, Samantha Morgan, for an informal chat about the role or to arrange a visit to see us in action.Applications will be considered upon receipt, and we reserve the right to appoint someone sooner than this if we identify a suitable candidate. You are therefore encouraged to apply for the role as soon as possible.We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of our Trust. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you need any specific support or require alternative formats, please contact us.Epsom Downs Day Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is a requirement for the successful applicant to undertake a school issued Enhanced DBS check, subscribe to the update service and accept the responsibility for providing and safeguarding the welfare of all pupils and children. ID documents and evidence of address will need to be produced at interview; which for the successful candidate will form the basis of proceeding with a DBS check.This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. All Epsom Downs employees are deemed to be in regulated activity with children and as such, all offers of employment are subject the above mentioned check and any other deemed necessary by the school. All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a declaration regarding offences and have references requested (unless agreed otherwise), prior to the interview.Epsom Downs Day Nursery is committed to being an equal opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills. Applications are invited from all members of the community. We do not discriminate against staff on the basis of age; race; sex; disability; sexual orientation; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; religion, faith or belief (Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics). The principles of non-discrimination and equality of opportunity also apply to the way in which we treat our visitors and volunteers.