Nursery Practitoner (Senior Key Teacher)
Essential requirement: Level 3 + Childcare Qualified
Full-Time | 4-Day Week
Location: Maida Vale
Salary: £32,100 - 34,500 per year
Join a family run nursery where you’re truly valued...
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Key Teacher to join our growing team. If you’re passionate about early years education and want to work somewhere that values your wellbeing and career development, we’d love to hear from you.
Why Join Abacus Ark Nursery?
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4-Day Working Week - Work full-time hours across just 4 days and enjoy 3 days off every week for better work-life balance.
- 32 Days Annual Leave (Includes 8 Bank Holidays, 4 Personal Wellbeing Days)
- Medical Cashback Plan - Health Shield plan worth over £1,000 per year (including GP Anytime, health screening, health cash plans, MyGymDiscounts, SkinVision, online health assessments, massages, dental, optical and more)
- Training & Career Development - including specialised training and support/funding with enrolling onto further qualifications
- Progression opportunities within the company
- New site openings - further opportunities available
We invest heavily in our team with:
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Blue Light Card access with major high street stores/food/cinema/holiday/travel discounts (various discounts between 10-20% off)
- Long service rewards
- Mental health and wellbeing support
- Annual inset training days (fun & interactive)
- Team social events and celebrations
- Company pension
- Ongoing professional development
- Leadership development opportunities
- Supportive team culture and mentorship from experienced early years professionals
- Inclusive and positive working environment
- First aid and safeguarding training
As a Senior Key Teacher, you’ll take the lead in your room, supporting children through their early learning journey with engaging, hands-on EYFS activities. You’ll create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where children can thrive, while tracking their progress and celebrating their development.
You’ll build strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers, support and guide your team, and work closely with leadership to keep standards high. You’ll also play a key role in promoting safeguarding, wellbeing, and a positive, collaborative team culture where everyone feels valued and supported.
What we're looking for:
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Level 3 CACHE/NVQ qualification in Childcare or equivalent
- Previous experience working within a nursery or early years setting
- Right to work in the UK
- Ability to obtain an enhanced DBS check (paid for by us)
- Ability to provide references
- Good understanding of safeguarding and health & safety requirements
- Someone passionate & enthusiastic about early years education
- Someone organised, proactive and confident in leading a room and supporting colleagues
- A strong communicator with excellent teamwork skills
- Committed to providing exceptional childcare and learning experiences
Desirable:
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Higher qualification in childcare or education
- Experience in a senior practitioner or room leader role
If you’re ready to progress your childcare career in a nursery that genuinely values and supports its staff, we’d love to hear from you!
Our mission is to empower every child with the essential tools they need to thrive from day one of school and to discover the joy of learning. We are dedicated to nurturing their Focus, Independence, Resilience, Social Understanding, and Trustworthiness, alongside introducing language, mathematics, and a wider understanding of the world. We seek to ensure children are not only ready to learn but also to shine. We believe in the boundless potential of every child and strive to ignite their passion for learning, helping them grow into confident, capable, and compassionate individuals.