JOB TITLE: Level 3 Early Years Practitioner
ABOUT US:
Oakmere Day Nursery is a place where children laugh, learn, and grow every single day.
In short, we help families feel completely at ease, knowing their little ones are in the safest, most caring hands possible.
THE ROLE (IN PLAIN ENGLISH):
Due to our success, we are currently looking for a thoughtful, reliable, and passionate Level 3 Early Years Practitioner to join our family.
We want someone who takes pride in doing a great job, and making sure the children in their care are thriving. You won’t be stuck indoors all day. You’ll be in an environment where going outside is encouraged, surrounded by the sounds of happy children, and doing work that genuinely matters.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Planning and delivering engaging activities that spark curiosity for your key children, with a heavy emphasis on outdoor learning.
- Observing and assessing children’s progress, noting those brilliant little milestones in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
- Communicating effectively with parents and carers to build strong, trusting partnerships.
- Working as part of a team alongside fellow practitioners to maintain the daily routine, share the workload, and have a laugh while doing it, in a professional working environment.
- Protecting the health and well-being of all children in our care by following robust safeguarding procedures.
WHY THIS ROLE IS GREAT:
This is a solid, rewarding job for someone who loves being active and making a real difference. Here’s why you’ll enjoy it:
- Real Support: You’ll be working directly with an experienced team. You’ll get first-hand coaching and mentoring from people who truly know their stuff.
- Meaningful Work: Your work directly shapes little lives. When the childcare team runs well, the children thrive.
- The Environment: You get to work in a setting that values fresh air, nature, and outdoor exploration as much as you do.
REASONS WHY WE’RE A GREAT PLACE TO WORK:
- Flexible working: 30 to 40 hours a week (we can figure out what works best for you!).
- Joyful Atmosphere: A genuinely happy workplace where a good giggle and a cup of tea are highly valued.
- Oh, and the usual good stuff is all there too - holidays, pension, rewards. Once you join us, you’ll get your hands on our Team Benefits Brochure, which covers everything in full.
PLUS: we actually help shape the future generation - and that feels pretty damn good.
THE PERFECT CANDIDATE WILL TICK THE BOXES BELOW:
You’re great at: Engaging with children, juggling tasks, and keeping everything ridiculously organised without breaking a sweat.
What we really care about is that you have a full and relevant Level 3 (or above) Early Years qualification, a solid understanding of the EYFS, and are not afraid to bring fresh ideas to the table.
You’re the kind of person who: Is proactive, unflappable, and always one step ahead of the process.
You can handle: An environment with occasional interruptions (nurseries are lively places!) and all weather conditions - we love the outdoors!
You read this and thought “OMG this is the job for me!!”
You’re reliable, hard-working, and all the usual stuff too.
If you’ve got the right attitude, a love for the outdoors, and a reliable nature, we’d love to hear from you. We want someone who can look at how we do things and say, “I think there’s a better way to do that.”
WHAT YOUR TYPICAL DAY WILL LOOK LIKE:
7:55am: Arrive at Oakmere Day Nursery, hang up your coat, sign in, and say hi to your colleagues.
8:00am: Warmly welcome the children and their parents, ensuring a smooth, comforting start to the day. Boom.
8:30am: Quick catch-up with the room leader to set priorities and conquer the day.
8:35am: Get stuck into outdoor learning - searching for bugs, splashing in puddles, or creating nature art.
Focus mode: activated. 10:30am: A child asks a completely random question about the natural world and their surroundings; you are efficient, polite and answer their question.
10:45am: Snack time! Encouraging healthy eating and independence.
11:00am: Bathroom Break (you can do this whenever you want, this is just an example!!)
11:15am: Time to do some focused observations and update the children’s learning journeys.
12:00pm: Lunchtime — it’s all about encouraging independence, healthy habits, and chatting with your friends.
LUNCH 12:45pm: Go for a walk, reset, and enjoy the fresh air, or use our on-site staff room.
1:30pm: Focused work - setting up a messy sensory play tray for the afternoon session.
2:50pm: Bathroom Break! (again… no pressure to schedule these!!)
3:00pm: Leading a very enthusiastic story session with your key group.
4:00pm: Quick wins - tidying the room, cleaning down tables, and prepping for tomorrow.
4:45pm: Provide thoughtful handovers to parents, sharing the funny stories and daily achievements. Plan tomorrow, wrap up the loose ends, feel content about a productive day.
6:00pm: Head home! *
*Every day will be different!
Job Type: Full-time
Licence/Certification:
- Level 3 Nursery Practitioner (required)
Work Location: In person
Pay: £13.39 per hour
Work Location: In person
