The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
At The Lodge Day Nursery, we believe every child deserves the very best start in life. We're looking for caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Educator to join our friendly team and help create a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where children can learn through play, build confidence and reach their potential.
Whether you're already qualified at Level 2 or Level 3 or looking to develop your career within a supportive setting, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to children aged 0-5 years while working as part of a passionate and experienced team.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the team
The Lodge is a well-established nursery providing high quality, affordable and free childcare to local families in Reading.
The nursery is set out over three bright rooms which connect to a private garden space. Our local community is diverse with children attending our setting from a range of different backgrounds and with many different languages represented. Our educators are completely focused on ensuring that all children achieve and have an equal chance of success in an environment which is inclusive, inspiring, and nurturing.
The children are very important and so is our team. We work closely with our educators to ensure that they continue to learn, develop, and share good practices.
As an Early Years Educator, you'll play a key role in supporting children's learning, development and wellbeing through responsive, in-the-moment teaching and nurturing interactions. You'll help create engaging learning experiences, work closely with families and ensure every child feels valued, included and supported to succeed.
Working as part of our nursery team, you'll:
- Build positive relationships with children and their families, helping children settle and thrive within nursery life.
- Provide high-quality care and learning opportunities in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
- Act as a Key Person, supporting children's individual development and celebrating their achievements.
- Observe, monitor and record children's progress and development.
- Create fun, stimulating and inclusive learning environments that encourage curiosity and exploration.
- Promote positive behaviour through encouragement, guidance and role modelling.
- Support children with additional needs and work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the right support is in place.
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of children at all times.
- Work closely with colleagues to deliver engaging activities that support children's learning and development.
- Contribute to maintaining a safe, welcoming and inspiring nursery environment.
About you
We're looking for warm, committed professionals who genuinely enjoy working with young children and understand the importance of those early years in shaping future success. You'll be a team player with excellent communication skills and a passion for delivering outstanding care and education.
You'll ideally have:
- A Level 2 or Level 3 Childcare and Education qualification.
- Experience working in an early years or childcare setting.
- Good knowledge of child development and the needs of children from birth to five years.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
- A caring, patient and inclusive approach.
- The ability to use your initiative and contribute positively as part of a team.
- A commitment to safeguarding, equality and delivering excellent outcomes for children.
- A willingness to continue learning and developing your practice and professional knowledge
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- 50% off Childcare at Sure Start Nursery for Lodge Staff
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact [email protected]
Closing Date: Sunday 9th August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
