You will:
JOIN THE TEAM AT ESSCROFT PRIVATE NURSERY
We’re Looking for Exceptional Level 3 Early Years Practitioners
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Multiple contracts available | 30–40 hours per week
Competitive salary dependent on experience & qualifications
This Isn’t “Just Another Nursery Job”…
At Esscroft Private Nursery, we are building something really special — and we are incredibly proud of the team and culture we’ve created.
Set within a beautiful Victorian manor house with extensive outdoor grounds and woodland, Esscroft is a thriving, award-winning nursery where children, families AND staff are genuinely valued.
Due to continued growth and increasing occupancy, we are now looking for THREE passionate, ambitious and nurturing Level 3 Early Years Practitioners to join our incredible team.
We are not looking for “average practitioners.”
We are looking for the people who:
- light up a room when they walk in
- genuinely love early years education
- understand the huge impact they have on children’s lives
- go above and beyond because they care deeply about outcomes
- inspire the team around them
- believe children deserve the very best experiences every single day
If you are the kind of practitioner who gets excited about child development, creating magical learning opportunities, and being part of a team with high standards and big ambitions… you’ll fit right in with us.
Current Vacancies
1. Snowy Owls (2–3 years) 40 hours – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
2. Snowy Owls (2–3 years) 30 hours – Monday, Wednesday & Friday
3. Spotted Owls (2.5–3.5 years) 40 hours – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
Please state your preferred room and hours when applying.
WHAT YOUR ROLE WILL INVOLVE
At Esscroft, our practitioners do far more than supervise children.
- Create engaging, inspiring and exploratory learning experiences
- Build warm, professional relationships with families
- Support children emotionally, socially and academically
- Deliver high-quality interactions that extend children’s thinking
- Observe, assess and plan in line with the EYFS
- Work collaboratively within a strong and supportive team
- Help maintain the exceptionally high standards we pride ourselves on
We believe childhood should feel magical, nurturing, exciting and full of opportunity — and our practitioners are at the heart of that.
What Makes Esscroft Different?
- Supportive, hands-on leadership
- A genuinely warm and welcoming team culture
- Beautiful outdoor spaces and woodland experiences
- Strong professional standards and clear expectations
- Opportunities for progression and development
- A setting where your ideas, strengths and contributions are valued
- Children who are curious, confident and thrive through meaningful experiences
We are passionate about early years education and proud of the environment we’ve created — both for our children and our staff team.
What We’re Looking For
✔ Level 3 Early Years Qualification (essential)
✔ Good knowledge of the EYFS
✔ A strong understanding of safeguarding
✔ Excellent teamwork and communication skills
✔ A nurturing, proactive and professional attitude
✔ Someone who genuinely LOVES working with children
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Free lunches provided daily
- 30-minute uninterrupted lunch break
- Free cinema tickets
- Childcare discount
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Staff wellbeing focus
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Supportive leadership team
- Staff social events (our summer & Christmas parties are legendary)
- Casual dress and a welcoming environment
Our Recruitment Process
All positions are subject to:
✔ Interview
✔ Trial session
✔ Enhanced DBS check
✔ Suitable references
We recruit carefully because building the right team matters hugely to us.
Want to Get a Feel for Esscroft?
Take a look at our social media pages and see what life at Esscroft is really like.
Facebook & Instagram: Esscroft Private Nursery
If you’re ready to join a nursery where children truly come first, standards are high, and teamwork genuinely matters — we would LOVE to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 30 per week
Pay: £12.60-£13.70 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Childcare
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
Licence/Certification:
- Level 3 Early Years Qualification (required)
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
