Senior Early Years Practitioner
with depute responsibilities · 34 hours, 4-day week
Why Wildnest?
Wildnest is being built because we believe early years can be even better - for children, families and the people who work in it.
We’re creating a nursery where relationships matter, practitioners are trusted to use their skills and ideas, and the people who work here genuinely have a voice in what we build.
Our values aren’t just words on a wall. They shape how we work everyday:
We start with nurture
We believe children need to feel safe, understood and genuinely known before they can thrive. Nurture sits at the heart of everything we do.
We work around family life
We know life doesn’t always fit neatly around nursery hours. We’ll work with families and our own team to find solutions that work wherever we can.
We share what we build
This one matters. Wildnest will only succeed because of the people who build it with us. When we grow and succeed, our team should share in that success. We’re committed to finding meaningful ways to recognise and financially share the success we create together.
We’re more than a nursery
We want Wildnest to be part of something bigger - connected to our community, creating opportunities and making a difference beyond the nursery walls.
If you want to be part of building something, not just working somewhere, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more about Wildnest on our website: www.wildnestnursery.co.uk and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what we’re building.
The role
As our Senior Early Years Practitioner you’ll lead practice on the floor and step into a depute role when the manager is off. It’s a hands-on, people-first role. Day to day, you’ll:
- Lead and model great practice across the playroom, setting the tone for the team
- Plan rich, playful activities in line with the relevant curriculum planning
- Mentor and support the staff team, helping everyone grow
- Support the daily rhythms and routines that make children feel secure
- Carry out quality assurance activities and help us reach for excellence
- Make sure children’s plans are created, kept up to date, and put into practice meaningfully
- Oversee day-to-day ratios so the setting stays safe and well-staffed
- Champion warm, positive communication across the whole team
- Offer emotional and behavioural support in line with Wildnest’s nurturing approach
- Manage the daily news feed, parent communication, and meaningful observations shared with families
- Support the manager with our monthly events
- Uphold our nurture principles - and help the team live them too
- Keep our environment clean, safe, and in line with relevant guidance, with safeguarding and child protection always followed
Our nurture principles matter to us
Nurture sits at the heart of everything we do. We work to the six nurture principles, and we want someone who already feels this deeply - or is excited to grow into it.
1 Children’s learning is understood developmentally
2 The environment offers a safe base
3 Nurture is important for wellbeing and self-esteem
4 Language is a vital means of communication
5 All behaviour is communication
6 Transitions are significant in children’s lives
Who we’re hoping to meet
Above all, we’re hoping to meet you. The right person will be:
- Calm and creative, with a genuine love of working alongside children
- Brilliant at building positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues
- Someone who understands child development and puts connection first
- Confident leading and mentoring others with warmth and kindness
- Excited by the chance to help shape something new from the ground up
What you’ll need
- To meet the SSSC registration requirements for a practitioner role
- A Level 4 / PDA qualification - or a willingness to work towards it
- Ideally nurture-trained, though full training will be provided if not
The package
Pay
Competitive depending on qualifications and experience and annual profit share
Hours
34 hours per week over a 4-day week
Meetings
One monthly team meeting – out of hours
The best bit
The chance to help shape care for our children from day one
Sound like you?
If you’ve read this and thought “that’s me” - we’d genuinely love to hear from you.
Apply now with your CV and we will be in touch with the next steps.
If you want to chat about the role before applying call Caroline on 07933 806308 or email [email protected]
Closing date for applicants 10/09/2026
Pay: £28,288.00-£30,056.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee mentoring programme
- Profit sharing
Work Location: In person
