Relief Nursery Practitioner

Childbase Partnership Ltd; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible shifts

Partner benefits

Wellbeing support

Training academy access

Job summary

Childbase Partnership Ltd invites applications for a Relief Nursery Practitioner at Lime Grove Day Nursery in Hemel Hempstead. The role covers varied relief shifts on 07:30–18:30, Mon–Fri, with an hourly salary of £12.87–£14.33.

This permanent, 0 hours/week contract runs across 52 weeks a year, at Lime Grove Day Nursery, HP1 1JS. You will support babies and under-5s, contribute to learning journeys, and work with a caring team while upholding safeguarding and wellbeing policies.

Qualifications

• Experience caring for babies and under-5s preferred.
• DfE approved early years qualification at level 2+ advantageous.
• Ability to implement planned activities and observe learning journeys.
• Commitment to safeguarding and child wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Provide relief childcare across shifts.
• Support children's play and learning journeys.
• Collaborate with nursery team and parents.
• Uphold safeguarding and wellbeing policies.

Skills

Caring nature

Early years experience

EYFS knowledge

Safeguarding awareness

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

DfE approved EY qualification (level 2+)

Job description

Job Introduction

Join Childbase Partnership and be part of something extraordinary.

Role: Relief Nursery Practitioner.

Location: Lime Grove Day Nursery | Hemel Hempstead | HP1 1JS.

Contract: Permanent | 0 hours/week | 52 weeks/year.

Working pattern: Varied, ad-hoc shifts between 07:30-18:30, Monday-Friday.

Salary: £12.87-£14.33 per hour.

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?

• Flexible work option: Work varied relief shifts on a week-to-week basis according to the nursery’s cover requirements, at just this nursery or across as many of our other nurseries as you would like to.
• 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 naturally nurturing person: You have some experience of caring for babies and children aged five and under, ideally in an early years environment; holding a DfE approved early years qualification at level 2 or above is advantageous though not essential.
• You are passionate about inspiring children: Your knowledge of child development, and ideally your EYFS knowledge, will enable you to implement engaging activities that have been planned by the Key Person to empower children to learn through play and exploration; you will contribute to observations for the children’s learning journeys.
• 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 others, and can effectively communicate and build strong and positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues.

We are an inclusive employer and we welcome applicants of all ages (17+ due to Ofsted rules) 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.