Senior Early Years Practitioner

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd

Milton Keynes

On-site

GBP 26,000 - 34,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Payscales that are competitive,透明 and

65% Childcare discount - Pro rata

Generous family leave

Christmas closure

25 days of annual leave, plus bank ho

4 dedicated training days and personal

Enhanced pension scheme

Cyclescheme

Techscheme

Length of Service awards

Summer and Christmas parties

Pay advances for when times are tough

Employee assistance wellbeingprogramme

Job summary

Acorn Early Years – Wolverton Mill Nursery is seeking an experienced Senior Practitioner to join the leadership team. You will support the Nursery Manager, mentor staff and ensure delivery of a high-quality, inclusive EYFS curriculum while remaining hands-on with children.

Working closely with the Deputy Manager, you will take responsibility for your designated room, lead in the absence of senior leaders and champion safeguarding, partnerships with parents and professional development across the

Qualifications

Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above).
Strong working knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements.
Experience in a senior or leadership role within an early years setting.
Excellent communication and organisational skills.
Confidence in mentoring, supporting and developing others.
A calm, professional and positive approach to leadership.
A genuine passion for delivering high‑quality early years education.

Responsibilities

Support the Nursery Manager and Deputy in the effective running of the nursery.
Lead the nursery or your designated area in the absence of senior leaders, when required.
Be accountable for your room and staff team.
Effectively deploy staff to meet the needs of the nursery and children.
Support staff inductions, mentoring, supervision and professional development.
Role model outstanding early years practice and professional behaviour.
Address performance concerns in line with Acorn procedures.
Deliver and support a high‑quality, child‑centred curriculum in line with the EYFS.
Promote planning in the moment and high‑quality interactions.
Oversee observations, assessments and next steps to ensure children make strong progress.
Monitor outcomes for children to ensure they reach their full potential.
Promote children’s independence, wellbeing and physical development.
Embed a strong and consistent key person approach.
Safeguard all children and act appropriately on safeguarding and welfare concerns.
Ensure the nursery remains compliant with statutory requirements, Ofsted expectations and Acorn policies.
Ensure documentation is accurate, complete and up to date (care plans, medicine forms, transitions, two‑year checks, etc.).
Build positive, professional relationships with parents and carers.
Liaise confidently with external professionals and agencies.
Act as a professional ambassador for Acorn Early Years.

Skills

Level 3 EY qualification

EYFS knowledge

Leadership experience

Communication

Mentoring

Calm leadership

Passion for early years

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above)

Job description

Senior Practitioner

Acorn Early Years – Wolverton Mill Nursery

If you are offered a Senior EYP role, you will receive a £1000 recruitment bonus after successfully completing your 3 month probation period.

Acorn Early Years is seeking an experienced, confident and passionate Senior Practitioner to join the leadership team at Wolverton MillNursery. This role is ideal for an early years professional who is ready to take on additional responsibility, support staff development and help drive high‑quality practice across the nursery while remaining hands‑on with children.

Acorn Wolverton Mill provides high quality, affordable childcare and early years education for the local community. The building is purpose built with four spacious play areas indoors, with direct access to four play areas which allows the children to free-flow continuously.We have active CCTV in place throughout the nursery to help maintain a safe and secure environment for your child.

Acorn place a strong emphasis on outdoor play and learning and the children at Wolverton Mill will have the opportunity to freely access the outdoor environment throughout the day whatever the weather. Included in our fees are regular Forest School sessions, these are exciting educational experiences, suitable for our pre-schoolers and are delivered by fully trained Forest School leaders and offers a hands on holistic approach to outdoor play.

About the Role

Working closely with the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, the Senior Practitioner plays a key role in supporting the smooth day‑to‑day running of the nursery. You will lead by example, support and mentor colleagues, and ensure the delivery of a high‑quality, inclusive EYFS curriculum that meets the needs of every child.

You will also take responsibility for your designated room or area and may act as Third in Charge when required.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

Support the Nursery Manager and Deputy in the effective running of the nursery
Lead the nursery or your designated area in the absence of senior leaders, when required
Be accountable for your room and staff team
Effectively deploy staff to meet the needs of the nursery and children
Support staff inductions, mentoring, supervision and professional development
Role model outstanding early years practice and professional behaviour
Address performance concerns in line with Acorn procedures

Quality of Practice & Curriculum

Deliver and support a high‑quality, child‑centred curriculum in line with the EYFS
Promote planning in the moment and high‑quality interactions
Oversee observations, assessments and next steps to ensure children make strong progress
Monitor outcomes for children to ensure they reach their full potential
Promote children’s independence, wellbeing and physical development
Embed a strong and consistent key person approach

Safeguarding, Compliance & Partnerships

Safeguard all children and act appropriately on safeguarding and welfare concerns
Ensure the nursery remains compliant with statutory requirements, Ofsted expectations and Acorn policies
Ensure documentation is accurate, complete and up to date (care plans, medicine forms, transitions, two‑year checks, etc.)
Build positive, professional relationships with parents and carers
Liaise confidently with external professionals and agencies
Act as a professional ambassador for Acorn Early Years

What We’re Looking For

Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above)
Strong working knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements
Experience in a senior or leadership role within an early years setting
Excellent communication and organisational skills
Confidence in mentoring, supporting and developing others
A calm, professional and positive approach to leadership
A genuine passion for delivering high‑quality early years education

Why Join Acorn Early Years?

At Acorn, we are committed to creating nurturing, inclusive environments where children and staff thrive. We actively support professional development and offer clear pathways for career progression within our nurseries.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Benefits