Early Years Educator – Outstanding Reggio-Inspired Day Nursery, Forest School and Home-Education Group
Enya’s Childcare
Crowland, near Peterborough
“The management team has an exceptional focus on staff well-being. They support, mentor and value staff. Staff appreciate this. The strong team spirit and staff enthusiasm leads to a highly motivating environment where all children are deeply engrossed as they play.”
Ofsted inspector, March 2024 — Outstanding in all areas
Pay: £13 per hour
Annual salary: Approximately £19,266 for 28.5 hours, £25,688 for 38 hours or £30,420 for 45 hours
Working pattern: Choose between three, four or five working days, with a four-day pattern preferred
Typical shift: 8am–6pm with a 30-minute unpaid break
Contract: Permanent, with full-time and reduced-day arrangements available
Preferred start date: August 2026
Qualification: Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above required
Ofsted: Outstanding at both our most recent inspections
Why join Enya’s?
- Flexible three-, four- or five-day working patterns
- A genuine four-day full-time working week
- £13 per hour
- Employee childcare discount
- Annual performance bonus
- Career-progression opportunities
- 28 days’ annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, calculated pro rata
- An additional day off for your birthday
- Up to five additional days’ annual leave linked to length of service
- Christmas and New Year nursery closure
- Dedicated team-development and research days
- Access to our award-winning employee-wellbeing system
- The opportunity to work and develop within an established Outstanding nursery
- A supportive, independently owned setting where educators’ ideas are valued
About Enya’s
Enya’s is an independently owned Early Years Day Nursery, Forest School and Home-Education group in Crowland.
Since opening in 2016, we have developed a distinctive, child-centred approach combining Reggio Emilia-inspired practice, project-based learning, Forest School, creativity, sustainability and a strong focus on children’s emotional and physical wellbeing.
Our nursery was judged Outstanding across every area at its latest Ofsted inspection in March 2024, retaining the Outstanding judgement achieved at our previous inspection in April 2018.
Ofsted recognised our bespoke curriculum, knowledgeable educators, imaginative learning experiences, outdoor provision and strong leadership.
We are now looking for an experienced and thoughtful Early Years Educator to join our established team.
We are looking for an educator who believes children should be heard, empowered, nurtured and actively involved in their own learning.
The opportunity
You will join a passionate and experienced team providing children from birth to five with an exceptional Early Years experience.
This is an excellent opportunity for an educator who is creative, reflective and committed to giving every child the best possible start in life.
You will contribute to a curriculum shaped by children’s interests, meaningful relationships, project-based learning, outdoor exploration and a commitment to creating a more sustainable future for children and the planet.
You will be encouraged to contribute ideas, develop your practice and take an active role in the continuing evolution of our nursery environment and curriculum.
Your responsibilities
You will:
- Provide warm, responsive and consistent care for children
- Act as a key person and build secure relationships with children and their families
- Support children’s learning through play, exploration and meaningful experiences
- Observe children and use their interests, needs and development to extend learning
- Contribute to planning, assessment and meaningful pedagogical documentation
- Work in accordance with the EYFS, safeguarding requirements and nursery policies
- Maintain the high standards recognised in our Outstanding Ofsted inspection
- Support Reggio Emilia-inspired and project-based learning
- Participate in Forest School and outdoor learning
- Support appropriate and carefully considered risk-taking
- Contribute to our Home-Education group where required
- Support children’s individual routines, personal care and emotional wellbeing
- Promote inclusion and support children with additional needs
- Maintain positive and trusting relationships with families
- Create safe, stimulating and welcoming learning environments
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the nursery
- Participate in meetings, supervision, training and professional development
- Contribute positively to a professional, caring and supportive team culture
About you
You will be a calm, caring and emotionally intelligent educator with high standards and a genuine interest in how children learn and develop.
You must have:
- A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above
- At least two years’ experience within an Early Years or nursery setting
- Sound knowledge of the EYFS
- A clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities
- Good knowledge of child development
- Experience working effectively as part of a team
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Good organisational and time-management skills
- A reliable and professional approach
- A genuine commitment to child-led learning and whole-child development
It would be particularly valuable if you have:
- Experience of Reggio Emilia-inspired or project-based practice
- Experience of Forest School or outdoor learning
- Paediatric first-aid training
- Experience supporting children with SEND
- SENCO, designated safeguarding lead or advanced safeguarding experience
- An interest in creativity, sustainability or emotional wellbeing
Working pattern
We offer a choice of:
- 28.5 hours across three days
- 38 hours across four days
- Up to 45 hours across five days
Our preferred full-time pattern is 38 hours across four days.
Typical shifts are 8am–6pm with a 30-minute unpaid break. Contracted days and hours will be agreed clearly in advance.
What we offer
- £13 per hour
- Flexible three-, four- or five-day working patterns
- A genuine four-day full-time option
- Access to EduFeel, our award-winning employee-wellbeing check-in system
- Career-progression opportunities
- Opportunities to work within our Wilderness Pathway Forest School
- Dedicated team-building, training and research days
- Employee childcare discount
- A NoodleNow professional-development and personal-training account
- Annual performance bonus
- 28 days’ annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, calculated pro rata
- An additional day off for your birthday
- Up to five additional days’ leave linked to length of service
- Christmas and New Year nursery closure
- Company pension
- Company sick pay
- An experienced and established educator team
- Monthly staff-wellbeing gatherings
- Staff recognition and incentive schemes
- Social events and team outings throughout the year
- The freedom to contribute ideas and influence the nursery’s future
- A positive team culture with open and supportive, like-minded educators
- A setting in which educator wellbeing is considered fundamental to positive outcomes for children
We take staff wellbeing seriously and use our own educator-wellbeing system to identify concerns early, improve communication and support team retention.
Our values
At Enya’s, the child is at the centre of our ethos, curriculum and decision-making.
Our pedagogy is built around helping children become:
- Active learners
- Happy and emotionally secure
- Creative make-believers
- Friends of the Earth
- Confident members of a caring community
We are looking for an educator who connects genuinely with these values and can bring them to life through thoughtful, warm and responsive practice.
Applying
Please apply with your CV and a brief supporting statement covering:
- Your full and relevant Early Years qualification
- Your current or most recent educator responsibilities
- Your experience working as a key person
- Your approach to child-led learning
- Why Enya’s ethos appeals to you
- Your preferred three-, four- or five-day working pattern
- Your notice period and availability
Shortlisted candidates will initially be invited to an informal telephone conversation, followed by a structured interview and nursery visit.
This role is subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and all appropriate safer-recruitment checks.
Enya’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All team members are expected to share this commitment.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £13.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Childcare
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Education:
- A-Level or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- Nursery: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
