Senior Early Years Educator

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Brighton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust seeks a qualified Senior Early Years Educator to lead a dedicated team in a nursery. The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and a passion for nurturing the development of children aged 6 months to 5 years. This full-time position promises an engaging work environment within the NHS and offers excellent benefits, including a competitive pension scheme and comprehensive annual leave.

Benefits

Excellent NHS Pension

Excellent Annual Leave

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 NVQ in Childcare & Education required.
• Substantial post-qualifying experience in childcare expected.
• Experience with EYFS and Ofsted outcomes necessary.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day running of the playroom.
• Create a safe and stimulating environment for children.
• Support the development of children's understanding through play.

Skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Knowledge of EYFS

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Childcare & Education

Level 4 Qualification in Early Years

Tools

Paediatric First Aid Certificate

Job description

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University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Location:

Brighton, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

d132ae4cc92a

Job Views:

23

Posted:

18.06.2025

Expiry Date:

02.08.2025

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Job Description:

Job overview

Senior Early Years Educator (Internal Candidates Only)

Full Time (Mon to Fri working a 9 day fortnight pattern)

The Candidate must have a min Level 3 NVQ in Childcare & Education AND have high levels of knowledge and Experience with the EYFS

Do you have experience of working in an Early Years setting? Do you have excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum? Are you a supportive team member who would be able to lead a small group?

The Sussex House Nursery, Royal Sussex County Hospital Brighton is looking for a qualified and very experienced Senior Early Years practitioner to lead a small team in our 2-3 year playroom.

We are a registered 67 place NHS workplace nursery caring and educating babies to preschool from 6 mths to 5 years of NHS employees.

We are looking for someone who is professional, supportive, motivated, flexible, and passionate about the care and learning of children under the age of 5 years.

Being adaptable, with strong teamwork attributes is important for this role.

Excellent NHS Pension

Excellent Annual leave

Main duties of the job

As Senior Early Years Educator your role is to oversee the day to day running of the playroom, ensuring the educational and welfare requirements are met by the staff within the room.

We are looking for a highly competent candidate who with the support of play room colleagues will create a safe, caring and stimulating environment for children under the age of 5 years. To encourage the children's development and understanding through play and other learning experiences.

As the Lead in the playroom a good understanding of the delivering the Early Years Curriculum (EYFS) and working with Ofsted outcomes is vital.

The candidate must have prior experience of building and maintaining strong parent partnership working. They must show flexibility and adaptability as each day can be very different but equally enjoyable and imaginative. Being able to retain information, and use initiative and delegate duties is a must for this post.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To abide by and adhere to the Nursery mission statement “Our Nursery puts your child first” , we require the following in a candidate:

• To role model ‘Best Practice’ To be up to date in current thinking and practice and ensure the room is delivering the best possible curriculum for the children.
• To meet with the Nursery Manager / Deputy Manager on a regular basis to discuss performance development, playroom, and individual needs.
• To be responsible for a Key Group of children. To support their all-round development in the following areas: Physical, Intellectual, Language, emotional, social skills, and cultural needs.
• To encourage all areas of the children’s development with the appropriate learning opportunities and play opportunities.
• To be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day practise within the playroom.
• Supporting staff, students, and volunteers with the daily routine of the nursery
• To engage work with other Health, Education and Safeguarding professionals.
• Ability to conduct 1:1 supervision with newly appointed junior staff, students, and volunteers.
• Support students on placement to ensure they cover the relevant learning criteria.
• To devise playroom action plans and contribute to the wider department planned actions.
• To be confident to support the team of the daily routine in the absence of the Nursery Manager and/or Deputy Manager
• To support ‘Shared Care’ learning with other settings.

Person specification

Knowledge

• Childcare Qualification NVQ /NNEB/CACHE/ City & Guilds/ BTEC Min Level 3
• Knowledge of milestone development of children under 5 years
• Knowledge of Safeguarding Young Children
• Knowledge of Planning and Implementing a early years curriculum (EYFS)
• Knowledge of Ofsted Inspection Outcomes
• Knowledge of Early Childhood Illnesses / Allergies / care Needs
• Level 4 Qualification in Early Years
• Full Paediatric First Aid Certificate
• SEND Related Training

Experience and Skills

• Substantial post qualifying experience of childcare
• Substantial experience of being a Key Carer
• Substantial experience of working in a team
• Substantial experience of partnership working (parents / professionals)
• To implement activities which are appropriate for the development and interests of the individual and group.
• To conduct 1:1 supervision with newly appointed junior staff, students, and volunteers.
• Experience of other Health, Education and Safeguarding concerns
• Experience of conducting Parents Evenings / School Visits
• To hold good I.T. Skills i.e. Word Doc

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.

Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications