Job Title: Early Years Practitioner (Level 3 and Above)
Company: Oakmere Day Nursery
Location: In person
ABOUT US:
Oakmere Day Nursery is a place where children laugh, learn, and grow every single day.
We help families feel completely at ease, knowing their little ones are in the safest, most caring hands possible. And right now, we are looking for an experienced, qualified practitioner to come and be a brilliant part of that.
THE ROLE (IN PLAIN ENGLISH):
Due to our continued success, we are looking for a passionate, qualified Early Years Practitioner at Level 3 or above to join our family at Oakmere Day Nursery.
We want someone who takes real pride in their work — someone who knows their stuff, brings fresh ideas to the table, and genuinely cares about the children in their care. 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.
Whether you are a solid Level 3 practitioner, a Senior Practitioner, or a Level 6 Graduate — if you are looking for a setting that values you and your expertise, keep reading.
YOU'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Planning and delivering engaging, high-quality 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 close-knit 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.
Bringing your experience and ideas to help us keep improving the way we do things.
WHY THIS ROLE IS GREAT:
Real Support: You'll be working with a team that actually listens. Your experience is valued here, and you'll have the autonomy to do your job well.
Meaningful Work: Your work directly shapes little lives. When the childcare team runs well, the children thrive — and you'll feel that every single day.
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.
Holidays, pension, and 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.
Qualifications: You hold a full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above (Level 5 or Level 6 / Graduate welcomed and encouraged to apply).
Knowledge: A solid, confident understanding of the EYFS and how to put it into practice — not just on paper.
You're the kind of person who: Is proactive, unflappable, and always one step ahead of the process.
You can handle: A lively, busy environment (nurseries are wonderfully chaotic!) 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 ready with a great answer.
10:45am: Snack time! Encouraging healthy eating and independence.
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 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.
3:00pm: Leading a very enthusiastic story session with your key group.
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!)
Pay: £13.39 per hour
Work Location: In person
