Castle Nursery Shamley Green is a 39-place rural day nursery, established in 2002 and set within the grounds of Wonersh & Shamley Green Primary School. The single-storey building has two rooms - one for under-twos and one for over-twos - both with direct access to the outdoors, and full disabled access throughout.
Children here spend a lot of their day outside. The over-twos have free-flow between indoors and out, with a sensory area, mud kitchen, canopied creative area, loose-parts zone and gross-motor equipment on a new safety surface. Nearby woodland hosts our Forest School sessions, and the nursery allotment gives children a hands-on space to sow, grow and harvest their own fruit, vegetables and herbs.
Our team is a longstanding one - many colleagues have been with us for years - and that continuity is something families notice and value.
About the role
As a Nursery Practitioner you'll care for and educate children aged 3 months to 5 years, delivering the EYFS through play, curiosity and everyday interactions. You'll hold a small key group, building genuine relationships with those children and their families and taking ownership of their learning journeys.
Day to day you will:
- Act as key person to a group of children - observing, assessing and planning next steps that follow their interests
- Create a safe, stimulating environment indoors and out, including Forest School, allotment and free-flow provision
- Build warm, open partnerships with parents and carers, sharing progress and celebrating milestones
- Support children's personal care, mealtimes, rest and wellbeing with patience and dignity
- Support extra-curricular sessions including Music and Movement, Baby Sensory, Toddler Yoga and Sports
- Keep accurate records and contribute to planning, room meetings and self-evaluation
- Follow all safeguarding, health and safety and welfare requirements, and speak up promptly about any concern
What we're looking for
Essential:
- A full and relevant Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification (or working towards Level 3)
- Sound working knowledge of the EYFS and the safeguarding and welfare requirements
- A genuine warmth with children and confidence talking to parents
- Willingness to be outdoors in all weathers
- Right to work in the UK and eligibility for an Enhanced DBS check with children's barred list
Desirable:
- Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding Level 1/2
- Food hygiene certificate
- Experience of Forest School, in-the-moment planning or SEND support
What we offer
- Ongoing training and clear progression routes across the group, including Room Leader and SENDCo pathways
- 95% childcare discount for your own children
- Enhanced DBS paid for by us
- Forest School and outdoor learning as a core part of the day, not an add-on
- A stable, experienced team in a beautiful rural setting
Safer recruitment
Castle Nursery & Pre-School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references covering the last five years, verification of qualifications and identity, and a full employment history with any gaps explored. Online searches may be carried out on shortlisted candidates. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to £29,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Guildford GU5: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
