Early Years Practitioner
34 hours, 4-day week
Please note: We are reviewing applications as they come in and may close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable candidates, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
We are looking for Practitioners to join our team across both our 0–2 and 2–5 age ranges. Whether your experience and passion lies with babies and toddlers or with our older children, we want to hear from you.
Why Wildnest?
Wildnest is being built because we believe early years can be even better - for children, families and the people who work in it.
We’re creating a nursery where relationships matter, practitioners are trusted to use their skills and ideas, and the people who work here genuinely have a voice in what we build.
Our values aren’t just words on a wall. They shape how we work everyday:
We start with nurture
We believe children need to feel safe, understood and genuinely known before they can thrive. Nurture sits at the heart of everything we do.
We work around family life
We know life doesn’t always fit neatly around nursery hours. We’ll work with families and our own team to find solutions that work wherever we can.
We share what we build
This one matters. Wildnest will only succeed because of the people who build it with us. When we grow and succeed, our team should share in that success. We’re committed to finding meaningful ways to recognise and financially share the success we create together.
We’re more than a nursery
We want Wildnest to be part of something bigger - connected to our community, creating opportunities and making a difference beyond the nursery walls.
The Role
As our Early Years Practitioner, you’ll be a key part of creating a warm, nurturing and engaging environment where children feel safe, valued and excited to learn. It’s a hands-on, people-first role, working closely with the wider team to support children’s development and wellbeing. Day to day, you’ll:
- Deliver warm, nurturing and responsive care that puts children’s needs at the heart of everything you do
- Plan and provide rich, playful experiences in line with the relevant curriculum planning
- Support children’s learning and development through meaningful interactions, observations and play
- Build strong, trusting relationships with children and their families
- Support the daily rhythms and routines that help children feel secure and confident
- Follow and contribute to children’s individual plans, ensuring their needs are understood and supported in practice
- Work positively as part of the team, communicating openly and contributing to a supportive playroom environment
- Offer emotional and behavioural support in line with Wildnest’s nurturing approach
- Contribute to meaningful observations, daily news and communication shared with families
- Support the smooth running of the room, including maintaining appropriate ratios and helping with daily routines
- Help keep the environment clean, safe, welcoming and engaging for children
- Take an active role in Wildnest’s monthly events and wider setting activities
- Uphold our nurture principles in your everyday practice and interactions
- Follow all safeguarding, child protection, health and safety and relevant early years guidance at all times
- Be reflective in your practice, open to feedback and committed to your own learning and development
If you want to be part of building something, not just working somewhere, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more about Wildnest on our website: www.wildnestnursery.co.uk and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what we’re building.
Our nurture principles matter to us
Nurture sits at the heart of everything we do. We work to the six nurture principles, and we want someone who already feels this deeply - or is excited to grow into it.
1 Children’s learning is understood developmentally
2 The environment offers a safe base
3 Nurture is important for wellbeing and self-esteem
4 Language is a vital means of communication
5 All behaviour is communication
6 Transitions are significant in children’s lives
Who we’re hoping to meet
Above all, we’re hoping to meet you. The right person will be:
- Calm and creative, with a genuine love of working alongside children
- Brilliant at building positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues
- Someone who understands child development and puts connection first
- Confident leading learning with warmth and kindness
- Excited by the chance to help shape something new from the ground up
What you’ll need
- To meet the SSSC registration requirements for a practitioner role
- A Level SVQ 3 / HNC qualification in Childcare is essential
- Ideally nurture-trained, though full training will be provided if not
- A minimum of 2 years in a practitioner role
The package
Pay
Competitive depending on qualifications and experience and annual profit share
Hours
34 hours per week over a 4-day week
Core hours will be 8-5.30am however there may be shift patterms from 7.30am-5pm or 8.30am-6pm which will be discussed with you during application or interview.
Meetings
One monthly team meeting – out of hours
The best bit
The chance to help shape care for our children from day one
Sound like you?
If you’ve read this and thought “that’s me” - we’d genuinely love to hear from you.
Apply now with your CV via indeed and complete the application form we will email to you.
If you want to chat about the role before applying call Caroline on 07933 806308 or email [email protected]
Work Location: In person
Pay: £24,750.00-£26,254.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee mentoring programme
- Profit sharing
Work Location: In person
