Early Years Practitioner – Level 3
Wolvercote Community Nursery, Wolvercote, Oxford
Competitive salary offered
Initially term-time working, contracted on an annualised-hours basis
Anticipated start: September 2026, subject to Ofsted registration and completion of all required pre-employment checks
How to apply
Applicants must complete the Wolvercote Community Nursery Application Form.
CVs will not be accepted in place of a completed application form. The application form must provide a complete employment and education history, with explanations for any gaps.
To request an application form and recruitment information, please contact:
[email protected]
Completed application forms should be returned to the same address by:
Closing date: 21 August 2026
Interviews: Week starting 24 August 2026
Wolvercote Community Nursery reserves the right to interview suitable applicants before the closing date and may close the advertisement early if a suitable appointment is made.
About Wolvercote Community Nursery
Wolvercote Community Nursery is a new, community-led charitable nursery based at Wolvercote Village Hall. We will provide high-quality early education and care for children aged two to five, with a Montessori-inspired approach, a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, and regular opportunities for children to explore Wolvercote’s local green spaces and community.
We are looking for a warm, capable, and enthusiastic Level 3 Early Years Practitioner to join our small founding team. This is an exciting opportunity to help establish a nurturing and inclusive nursery and to make a meaningful contribution to its development from the outset.
About the role
Working under the direction of the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, the Early Years Practitioner will:
- provide safe, responsive, and high-quality care and education;
- act as a key person for an allocated group of children;
- support children’s learning and development through purposeful play, observation, assessment, and planning;
- help create an engaging, accessible, and well-organised indoor and outdoor learning environment;
- support regular outdoor learning, community walks, and appropriate educational activities;
- build positive and professional relationships with children, parents, carers, colleagues, and other professionals;
- identify and respond appropriately to children’s individual needs, including additional needs and emerging safeguarding concerns;
- follow the Nursery’s safeguarding, health and safety, equality, SEND, behaviour, confidentiality, and operational procedures;
- contribute to record-keeping, team meetings, training, reflective practice, and continuous improvement; and
- help with the daily setting up and packing away of the nursery environment, as the provision operates from a shared community hall.
The initial working pattern will be based around the Nursery’s term-time provision. The role will be contracted on an annualised-hours basis, allowing the working pattern to develop as the Nursery expands its after-school and holiday provision. The precise hours and working pattern will be discussed during the recruitment process and confirmed in the contract.
About you
You will need:
- a Department for Education-recognised, full and relevant Level 3 early years qualification;
- experience of working with children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, preferably including children aged two to five;
- a sound understanding of the EYFS and how young children learn and develop;
- a clear commitment to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare;
- the ability to form secure, positive, and respectful relationships with children;
- an inclusive approach that recognises and responds to each child’s individual needs, background, and circumstances;
- effective communication, teamwork, and organisational skills;
- the ability to work professionally and sensitively with parents and carers;
- a willingness to participate in outdoor learning and the practical daily operation of the Nursery; and
- a commitment to professional development and reflective practice.
A current paediatric first aid certificate would be desirable. Where necessary, the successful applicant will be expected to complete relevant training within the required timescale.
Salary and working arrangements
Salary: Competitive salary offered, dependent on experience, qualifications, contracted annual hours, and the agreed working pattern.
Contract: Permanent, subject to the Nursery’s activation arrangements and successful completion of all pre-employment requirements.
Hours: Initially term-time based and contracted as annualised hours, with the opportunity for the working pattern to develop as additional provision is introduced.
Location: Wolvercote Village Hall, Wolvercote, Oxford, together with approved local outdoor and community locations.
Safeguarding and safer recruitment
Wolvercote Community Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All staff, trustees, volunteers, students, and other people working on behalf of the Nursery are expected to share this commitment.
This post involves regulated activity with children. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the Nursery completing and being satisfied with all required safer recruitment and suitability checks. These will include:
- verification of identity and the right to work in the United Kingdom;
- scrutiny and verification of the applicant’s complete employment history, including explanations for any gaps or inconsistencies;
- verification that the applicant holds a suitable full and relevant Level 3 early years qualification;
- satisfactory references obtained directly from appropriate referees;
- an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, including a check of the Children’s Barred List;
- overseas criminal-record or other appropriate checks where the applicant has lived or worked outside the United Kingdom;
- relevant disqualification and suitability declarations; and
- any other checks required by the EYFS, Ofsted, legislation, or the Nursery’s Safer Recruitment Policy and Procedure.
The successful candidate will not be permitted to begin work until the required Enhanced DBS and Children’s Barred List check has been received and the Nursery has completed the necessary suitability checks.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 under the relevant Exceptions Order. Shortlisted candidates will therefore be required to complete a confidential criminal-record and suitability self-declaration. Applicants are not required to disclose cautions or convictions that are protected under the applicable filtering rules, and the existence of a criminal record will not automatically prevent appointment.
As part of its safer recruitment due diligence, the Nursery may undertake a proportionate search of publicly available online information relating to shortlisted candidates. Any information identified will be considered fairly, only where it is relevant to the applicant’s suitability for the role, and candidates will have an opportunity to respond to any matters requiring clarification.
Equality and reasonable adjustments
Wolvercote Community Nursery is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Recruitment decisions will be based on the requirements of the role and the information provided through the selection process.
Applicants are encouraged to tell us about any reasonable adjustments they require to participate fully in the application, interview, or assessment process.
Pay: £26,000.00-£30,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
