Senior Early Years Practitioner

The Old Station Nursery Group; Royston; On-site; GBP 30,222 - 32,281; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discounts

31 days of holiday including birthday off

Access to training and courses

Wellbeing support and perks

Referral bonuses

Paid volunteer day

Job summary

The Old Station Nursery Group is seeking a Senior Early Years Practitioner in Royston to lead and inspire a dedicated team. You will mentor staff, provide high-quality education, and create a nurturing environment for children.

The role requires a Level 3 Early Years qualification or QTS and offers numerous benefits such as childcare discounts and extensive holiday time. Join us and help make a lasting difference!

Qualifications

• Must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Experience in leading and mentoring teams in an early years setting.
• Strong understanding of the EYFS framework.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the team for high-quality early years education.
• Support the Nursery Manager in nursery operations.
• Promote initiative and creativity among staff.
• Build relationships with families and colleagues.
• Oversee EYFS framework implementation.
• Take charge in the Nursery Manager's absence.
• Encourage continuous improvement and professional development.
• Maintain a safe and stimulating environment.

Skills

Leadership

Teaching

Childcare

EYFS framework implementation

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Join Our Team as a Senior Early Years Practitioner

Are you ready to lead with passion, inspire young minds, and make a lasting difference in children’s lives? At Royston, we’re looking for an enthusiastic Senior Early Years Practitioner to guide and support our team in providing outstanding care and education. In this rewarding leadership role, you’ll have the opportunity to mentor, nurture, and create a positive impact for children, families, and your colleagues.

Qualifications & Conditions

To be considered for this role, you must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Please note: we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Childcare Perks: Free childcare for the first month and 52% discount (based on working hours) to support your family.
• Holiday and Celebrations: 31 days of holiday (inclusive of national bank holidays and the Christmas closure week), plus your birthday off!
• Career Development: Access to The National College full of training and courses
• Exclusive Discounts & Wellbeing Support: Enjoy Perkbox discounts, wellbeing tools, and online medical services.
• Recognition & Rewards: Refer a friend or family for exciting bonuses and celebrate milestones with long‑service awards.
• Volunteer Day: 1 paid day off per year to volunteer and give back to the community.

Pay: £30,222.40 - £32,281.60 per Annum, based on experience (40 hours per week).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

Location: Sunhill Montessori Nursery, Grantham Close, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5WY

About Our Nursery

Sunhill Day Nursery Royston is a bright, purpose‑built, premium nursery offering three distinct learning enhancements for our children: Montessori, organic growing and food and child‑friendly cooking classes. These important learning experiences help set our Royston nursery apart from others by equipping children with a deep understanding of the environment, sustainable living, and the exciting process of cooking with their own organic produce. Our nursery is made up of 4 rooms – our baby room, toddler room, 2‑3 year olds and pre‑school. Free onsite parking – accessible from the A10 and A505. If you don’t drive, we are within walking distance of the train station (train lines running from Cambridge to London). Situated on the edge of the commercial area in the Northern outskirts of Royston, adjacent to Tesco, Johnson Matthey and other major employers, we are ideally located within walking distance of the train station and readily accessible from the A10 and A505. Parking is available onsite.

Key Responsibilities

As a Nursery Room Leader, you will work alongside the Nursery Manager to lead and inspire your team while delivering exceptional care and education. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and mentoring the team to provide high‑quality early years education with passion and energy.
• Supporting the Nursery Manager to ensure smooth nursery operations and consistent quality.
• Acting as a role model by promoting initiative, creativity, and high standards of care.
• Building strong relationships with families, colleagues, and external agencies to support the best outcomes for children.
• Overseeing the team’s implementation of the EYFS framework, ensuring engaging learning opportunities.
• Taking charge of nursery operations in the Nursery Manager’s absence.
• Encouraging continuous improvement through feedback and supporting professional development.
• Maintaining a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment that meets each child’s needs.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today – we can’t wait to hear from you!

The Old Station Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, satisfactory references, and verification of your right to work in the UK and any essential qualifications. If successful, our recruitment and compliance team will guide you through every step of the onboarding process. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered to ensure fairness and accessibility for all candidates.