Qualified Nursery Childcare Practitioner at Epsom Downs Community School & Early Years Centres

Esher Church of England High School; Epsom; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Funded professional development

Open-plan nursery with farm and Forest

Job summary

Epsom Downs Day Nursery is seeking a passionate Early Years Practitioner to join our friendly team. You will work across our baby and 3-4-year-old provision, developing skills with experienced colleagues to support children from 3 months to 5 years.

We welcome candidates with a Level 3 EY qualification; those working towards Level 3 are encouraged to apply. You will thrive in a warm, supportive nursery that values inclusive practice and professional development.

Qualifications

• Holds a Level 3 Early Years qualification.
• Experienced Level 2 practitioner working towards Level 3 welcomed.
• Warm, nurturing and passionate about working with young children.

Responsibilities

• Care for babies and 3 months to 5 years in a warm, nurturing environment.
• Work as part of a team to support children’s development across age groups.
• Contribute to creating a stimulating environment and fostering inclusion.

Skills

Level 3 EY Qualification

Level 2 Practitioner (towards Level 3)

Team player

Passionate about children

Education

Level 3 Early Years Qualification

Job description

About this Role

Are you a passionate Early Years Practitioner who wants to make a real difference to young children's lives?

We are looking for an enthusiastic, caring and committed qualified Early Years Practitioner to join our friendly and vibrant Day Nursery team.

Our current vacancies are within our baby and 3-4-year-old provision, but we believe strongly in developing our staff across the whole nursery. You will have opportunities to gain experience working with children from 3 months to 5 years, supported by experienced colleagues who will help you develop your knowledge, confidence and practice across all age groups.

We would ideally like you to hold a Level 3 qualification in Early Years, although we would also welcome applications from experienced Level 2 practitioners who are currently working towards their Level 3.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is passionate about children, enjoys working as part of a team and wants to create a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment where every child can thrive.

Why join us?

At Epsom Downs Day Nursery, children really are at the heart of everything we do.

We were delighted that our most recent Ofsted in August 2026 inspection recognised the strong practice across every area of the nursery, including our approach to leadership, inclusion, relationships and children's learning and development.

Our nursery provides a unique open-plan environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years, giving children opportunities to explore, make choices, interact with children of different ages and develop at their own pace.

We have fantastic facilities both indoors and outdoors, including:

• Dedicated baby and toddler spaces alongside our wider open-plan provision
• Large outdoor play areas with free-flow access
• A small on-site farm with pigs, goats and chickens
• Forest School areas
• Sports and playground areas
• A sensory room and sleep room
• Library and music opportunities
• A wide range of high-quality, open-ended resources.

We believe that when we invest in our staff, they are able to provide the very best experiences for our children.

We are committed to supporting our team to develop their skills and interests, whether that is working with babies, toddlers or pre-school children, or developing a particular area of expertise.

You could have opportunities to develop your interests in areas such as:

• Babies and early attachment
• SEND and inclusion
• Speech, language and communication
• Forest School
• Outdoor learning
• Music and creativity
• Children's emotional wellbeing
• Supporting school readiness

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a Level 3 Early Years qualification, or is an experienced Level 2 practitioner working towards Level 3
• Has previous experience working within an Early Years setting
• Is warm, nurturing and genuinely passionate about working with young children
• Builds strong, secure and positive relationships with children and families
• Understands the importance of children's individual needs and development
• Is committed to inclusion and ensuring every child feels valued and belongs
• Works well as part of a team and is willing to support colleagues
• Is enthusiastic about learning and developing their own practice
• Is willing to get involved in all aspects of nursery life

You will be joining a team where professional development is encouraged, ideas are welcomed and staff are supported to grow.

What we can offer you

• A permanent, all-year-round position
• 36 hours per week
• A predictable rotating shift pattern
• Two 9-hour days and three shorter 6-hour days each week
• Shifts between 7.30am and 6.15pm
• One or two early finishes each week as part of the rota
• A full week off over Christmas using your allocated annual leave
• Funded professional development and training
• The opportunity to gain experience across our 3 months-5 years provision
• Opportunities to develop specialist areas of interest
• A supportive and experienced Early Years team
• The opportunity to work in a unique nursery environment with access to a farm, Forest School and extensive outdoor learning spaces

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.

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.