Nursery SENCO
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Job type: Full time, Permanent
Hours: 30 – 40 hours per week
Salary: £13.90 to £14.28 per hour (DOE)
Why Join Tops Day Nurseries?
At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe great childcare starts with great people. Since 1990, we have been creating inspiring early years environments where children thrive and colleagues are valued, supported, and given room to grow. As the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group, every team member has a voice, a stake in our success, and real opportunities to shape their future.
With more than 30 nurseries across the South of England, we offer rewarding opportunities for Apprentices, Nursery Practitioners, Nursery Managers, and Casual Staff who share our passion for outstanding early years care.
Proud winners of the 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development and recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025, we are proud to be a place where people love to work and children love to learn.
About the role:
To build excellent relationships with children, families, colleagues and managers across the business to provide consistent and robust support, guidance and coaching in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring high standards of inclusive practice across Tops Day Nurseries. This role will be primarily based at Tops Portsmouth, whilst also supporting other Tops Day Nurseries settings as required. The Nursery SENCo will support nursery teams to ensure children with additional needs receive high quality care, education and support that is in line with legislation, framework, internal policies and organisational approach.
About the Nursery:
Tops Portsmouth Nursery is a 115-place eco-friendly day nursery and preschool based at Queen Alexandra Hospital, providing Early Education and Care for children aged 3 months to preschool. Our open-plan nursery offers beautiful, purposefully designed learning spaces that encourage curiosity, creativity, and independent exploration, including dedicated preschool rooms with performance stages and calming environments tailored to each age group.
Children enjoy a wide range of activities including Forest School, cooking, yoga, meditation, and Boogie Mites, helping them develop confidence and a love of learning through play.
What does the role involve?
Leadership and Supervision
- Coach and support nursery teams to deliver high-quality inclusive practice and implement effective SEND strategies.
- Work alongside Nursery Managers, Room Managers and Key Workers to identify children requiring additional support and ensure appropriate interventions are in place.
- Provide guidance on SEND support plans, referrals, graduated response processes and EHCP applications while role modelling best practice.
- Support teams across settings to maintain consistently high standards of SEND provision, safeguarding and inclusive practice.
Curriculum planning and Child Development
- Support practitioners to adapt environments, routines and learning opportunities to meet the individual needs of children with SEND.
- Guide teams in planning differentiated next steps and implementing targeted interventions that promote children’s independence, communication and emotional wellbeing.
- Ensure SEND support is embedded within everyday practice through child-centred and inclusive approaches.
Partnership Working and Family Support
- Build strong partnerships with parents, carers and external professionals to ensure children receive consistent support and successful outcomes.
- Attend professional meetings, including TAC meetings and EHCP reviews, and support families through referral and external agency processes.
- Maintain accurate records, support plans and progress tracking documentation.
Safeguarding and Compliance
- Ensure risk assessments, care plans and medical plans are implemented where required to support the health, safety and wellbeing of children.
- Maintain a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures, nursery policies and legislative requirements relating to childcare and SEND practice.
- Work collaboratively with Nursery Managers, Regional Managers and the wider Operations Team on projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
What are we looking for?
- Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification or above
- Recognised Early Years SENCo qualification (essential)
- Previous experience supporting children with SEND within early years settings
- Strong knowledge of EYFS and SEND Code of Practice
- Experience working alongside external professionals and agencies
- Strong understanding of inclusive practice and child development
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to coach and support colleagues professionally and positively
- Ability to work independently across multiple settings
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between nursery settings
Why you’ll love working for us
At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe in rewarding our team for their hard work and dedication. Here are some of the fantastic benefits you’ll enjoy as part of our family.
- Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
- Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
- Health & wellbeing support- NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
- A generous holiday allowance- including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!
As well as many more exciting benefits! You can view the full list on our page or Careers website
Important Safeguarding Information
Because this role involves regulated activity with children, all candidates must:
- Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll need to cover the cost.
- Be eligible to work in regulated roles- not on the Children’s Barred List.
- Successfully complete background and reference checks.
We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
Apply Now
Excited to make a difference? Take the next step in your career and join Tops Day Nurseries
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