Qualified Nursery Practitioner

Childbase Partnership Ltd; Oxford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 23–28 days

Family childcare savings

Wellbeing support

Apprenticeships training

Employee-owned dividend

Job summary

Childbase Partnership is seeking a Qualified Nursery Practitioner (Level 2+) to join Sandfield Day Nursery in Headington, Oxford. This permanent role offers 18–40 hours per week across 52 weeks, with shifts from 07:00 to 18:30, Monday to Friday.

You will plan and deliver engaging activities, support learning through play, observe progress, and work closely with families to promote child development and safety.

Qualifications

• Holds a DfE-approved early years qualification at level 2 or above.
• Knowledge of the EYFS to support learning and planning as a Key Person.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting well-being of children.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement high-quality, engaging activities that promote learning through play.
• Observe, assess and record children’s progress as part of daily practice.
• Collaborate with parents and colleagues to support children’s development.

Skills

EYFS knowledge

Key Person planning

Safeguarding

Education

DfE early years level 2+

Job description

Job Introduction

Join Childbase Partnership and be part of something extraordinary.

Role: Qualified Nursery Practitioner (Level 2 or above).

Location: Sandfield Day Nursery | Headington, Oxford | OX3 7RH (on the John Radcliffe Hospital site).

Contract: Permanent | 18–40 hours per week | 52 weeks per year.

Working pattern: Full and part-time options available of 2-5 full days a week | Shifts between 07:00–18:30, Monday–Friday.

Salary: £27,040–£33,737.60 per annum (pro-rata) | £13.00–£16.22 per hour.

Welcome bonus: Up to £2,000 for eligible new Level 3+ colleagues working 30–40 hours per week*.

We’ve been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Within our 44-day nurseries, Head Office, and Training Academy, EduBase, our ethos is simple: we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute. We believe in ‘careers, not jobs’, supporting one another to grow and succeed.

Why join us?

• Generous annual leave: 23 days paid leave per annum (pro-rata), rising to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays.
• Work-life balance: Up to a further 20 paid days off each year through our Partnership Reward Days incentive; take your leave or sell the days you accrue, tax-free.
• Family childcare savings: If you have children or grandchildren, there's the potential for you to benefit from generously discounted childcare at Childbase Partnership nurseries, with savings of up to 75% for parents, and 40% for grandparents, depending on your contracted hours.
• Exclusive partner benefits: Long-service rewards, qualification bonuses and retail discounts.
• Wellbeing support: Free meals, mental health and occupational health support, flu jabs, eye care vouchers and a free will-writing service.
• Career development: Team inset days, access to online training and apprenticeships through our academy.

About Us

• We are employee-owned: Every colleague is a partner with a voice, who helps drive our success; when we do well, we each receive an annual tax-free dividend.
• We are number 1: Ranked top of the Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes.
• We are community driven: Supporting causes close to our hearts, we’ve raised more than £3.5 million for charity.
• We are environmentally responsible: Building a greener tomorrow our nurseries all hold Green Flag awards and are powered by 100% renewable energy.

About You

• You are a qualified early years professional: You hold a DfE approved early years qualification at level 2 or above.
• You are skilled in creating opportunities for learning: Your knowledge of the EYFS will enable you to work as a Key Person, planning and implementing high quality, engaging activities that promote learning through play; observing, assessing and recording children’s progress.
• You are an advocate for safeguarding: You will ensure every child feels safe, valued, and happy and their well-being is promoted.
• You are collaborative: You enjoy working in partnership with children, parents and colleagues, effectively communicating and building strong and positive relationships.

We are an inclusive employer and we welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds. We’re committed to FREDIE (fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement) and will consider any reasonable adjustments required. If you meet the essential criteria for this role, your application will be automatically shortlisted for review by our Recruitment Team who will determine if an interview is the next step.

Applicants must currently reside within a commutable distance of the nursery and hold suitable Right to Work in the UK; VISA sponsorship is not available. Safer recruitment checks apply, which include an Enhanced DBS check. If you’re not early years qualified, visit our Careers Page to explore other opportunities.

• £2,000 welcome bonus: Available to eligible new colleagues who hold a DfE approved, full and relevant early years qualification at level 3 or above, who are contracted to work 30–40 hours per week. The bonus is subject to successful completion of all pre-employment/onboarding checks, suitable eligibility to work in the UK, and applicable tax and National Insurance deductions will apply.