Early Years Teacher
Location: Barnes, London
Setting: Little Navigators Nursery
Hours: Full-time
Salary: £32,000 - 34,000 gross per annum
About the Nursery
Little Navigators is a calm, attachment-informed nursery, created by a Play Therapist. We offer a nurturing, child-led environment where children feel safe, understood, and confident to explore the world around them.
Our approach blends strong relationships, thoughtful environments, and a deep respect for each child’s emotional development.
Role Overview
We are looking for a warm, reliable and enthusiastic Early Years Teacher to join our team. You will support the day-to-day care of children, helping to create a safe, engaging and emotionally attuned environment.
This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is passionate about early years and wants to be part of a reflective, supportive and values-led setting.
Teaching & Learning
- Lead high-quality teaching through play and meaningful interactions.
- Plan and deliver engaging learning experiences that reflect children's interests and developmental needs.
- Use observations and assessment to support children's individual learning journeys.
- Adapt experiences to ensure all children, including those with SEND and EAL, can fully participate.
- Promote children's communication, language and early literacy through everyday interactions.
Relationships & Wellbeing
- Act as a key person, building secure, trusting relationships with children and their families.
- Support children's emotional wellbeing through co-regulation and responsive, relationship-centred practice.
- Foster children's independence, confidence and self-esteem.
Curriculum
- Implement the Little Navigators curriculum with consistency and creativity.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the curriculum, learning environments and teaching strategies.
- Ensure experiences reflect the nursery's values and educational philosophy.
Assessment & Documentation
- Complete high-quality observations and assessments.
- Monitor children's progress and identify any additional support needs.
- Work alongside external professionals where appropriate.
Family Partnerships
- Build strong partnerships with parents and carers.
- Share children's learning and development through meaningful communication.
- Contribute to parent meetings, transition arrangements and nursery events.
Professional Practice
- Model excellent practice and support less experienced colleagues.
- Participate in reflective practice, supervision and ongoing professional development.
- Maintain accurate records in line with EYFS and nursery policies.
- Take responsibility for the organisation and presentation of the learning environment.
What We’re Looking For
Essential:
- A genuine love of working with young children
- Warm, patient and emotionally attuned approach
- Reliable, proactive and a strong team player
- Good communication skills
- Previous experience in a nursery or early years setting
- Level 3 qualification (or working towards)
Desirable:
- Interest in child development, attachment or therapeutic approaches
Salary & Benefits
- £32,000 - £34,000 per annum
- 26 days annual leave (+ extra day for each year served up to 5 years)
- Nursery closed between Christmas and New Year (additional to annual leave)
- Wellbeing support and supervision embedded into staff culture
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
- Employee Referral Bonus – Know someone great? Refer them and earn £250 when they join
Safeguarding
Little Navigators is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
- Enhanced DBS check required
- References and suitability checks will be carried out
Why Join Us
Be part of a nursery that prioritises relationships, emotional wellbeing and thoughtful practice - where both children and staff feel supported, valued and able to thrive.
Pay: £32,000.00-£34,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
