Level 2 or 3 Nursery Practitioner
Do you enjoy working with young children in a setting where learning flows naturally between indoors and outdoors?
We are recruiting a Level 2 or 3 Nursery Practitioner who is passionate about high-quality early years practice and understands how children learn through play, exploration, relationships and meaningful experiences.
At West Lodge Day Nursery, we operate a continuous provision approach. Children have access to carefully planned indoor and outdoor environments throughout the day, with both areas offering opportunities for learning, exploration and development.
We are looking for a practitioner who understands that effective continuous provision is about much more than providing activities. It is about knowing each child, recognising their individual interests and stage of development, noticing opportunities for learning and using skilled interactions to extend their thinking, language and understanding.
Practitioners should know when to join children's play, when to introduce new ideas or vocabulary, when to offer additional challenge and when to allow children the time and space to explore independently.
Forest School training is welcomed but not essential. A genuine interest in outdoor learning is important, as outdoor experiences form part of daily practice from opening to closing.
About West Lodge Day Nursery
West Lodge Day Nursery is situated within a working farm and farm park, giving children access to a unique environment in which to learn and develop.
Each nursery room has direct access to its own outdoor area, alongside regular opportunities to explore the wider farm environment, animals, nature and changing seasons.
Our curriculum combines strong early years practice with rich real-life experiences. Indoor and outdoor provision is carefully considered and developed around the needs, interests and development of the children.
The Role
As a Nursery Practitioner, you will:
- Deliver high-quality early years education and care in line with the EYFS
- Understand and contribute to effective continuous provision
- Develop a strong understanding of your key children, including their interests, development, individual needs and next steps
- Recognise opportunities within children's play to extend learning and development
- Use skilful interactions, questioning, modelling and vocabulary to deepen children's learning
- Provide appropriate challenge while recognising when children need support, encouragement or greater independence
- Create engaging and purposeful learning opportunities indoors and outdoors
- Support children's communication, language, confidence, independence and emotional development
- Observe children closely and use your observations to inform future opportunities and provision
- Adapt the environment and resources in response to children's interests and developmental needs
- Encourage children to explore, investigate, problem solve and take appropriate risks
- Support children's learning through play, everyday routines and real-life experiences
- Build warm, secure and professional relationships with children
- Develop positive partnerships with parents and carers
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to continually review and improve provision
- Support an inclusive environment where every child is valued and able to participate
- Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health, safety and wellbeing
- Follow nursery policies, procedures and safeguarding responsibilities at all times
Requirements
- Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification or equivalent
- Good knowledge and understanding of the EYFS
- An understanding of how young children learn and develop
- Ability to recognise and respond to individual children's needs
- Confidence supporting children's learning through play and continuous provision
- Confidence working both indoors and outdoors throughout the year
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- A nurturing, positive and professional approach
- Commitment to safeguarding and inclusive early years practice
Desirable
- Experience working within a continuous provision environment
- Experience of outdoor or nature-based learning
- Interest in farming, animals, nature or sustainability
- Forest School qualification or willingness to undertake further training
What We Offer
- A unique nursery environment within a working farm and farm park
- Daily opportunities for outdoor and nature-based learning
- A continuous provision approach where practitioners have the opportunity to respond to children's individual interests and development
- Supportive leadership and experienced colleagues
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Opportunities to develop your early years knowledge and practice
- Competitive salary based on qualification and experience
- Staff benefits linked to the wider farm park business
If you are passionate about early years education, enjoy getting to know children as individuals and want to work in a setting where you have the opportunity to extend children's learning through meaningful everyday experiences, we would love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits
- Additional leave
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
Pay: £12.92-£15.33 per hour
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a level 2 or 3 childcare qualification?
- Which childcare qualification do you hold?
Work Location: In person
