Senior Early Years Practitioner
with depute responsibilities · 34 hours, 4-day week
Wildnest is a brand-new nursery opening in Laurencekirk this autumn - and we’re looking for a special someone to help us bring it to life from the very beginning.
From the very first day, you’ll be one of the people who builds the culture here - shaping how we work, how we care for the children, and how it feels to walk through our doors. If you’re calm, creative, and you believe that connection comes before everything else, we’d love to meet you.
The role
As our Senior Early Years Practitioner you’ll lead practice on the floor and step into a depute role when the manager is off. It’s a hands-on, people-first role. Day to day, you’ll:
- Lead and model great practice across the playroom, setting the tone for the team
- Plan rich, playful activities in line with the relevant curriculum planning
- Mentor and support the staff team, helping everyone grow
- Support the daily rhythms and routines that make children feel secure
- Carry out quality assurance activities and help us reach for excellence
- Make sure children’s plans are created, kept up to date, and put into practice meaningfully
- Oversee day-to-day ratios so the setting stays safe and well-staffed
- Champion warm, positive communication across the whole team
- Offer emotional and behavioural support in line with Wildnest’s nurturing approach
- Manage the daily news feed, parent communication, and meaningful observations shared with families
- Support the manager with our monthly events
- Uphold our nurture principles - and help the team live them too
- Keep our environment clean, safe, and in line with relevant guidance, with safeguarding and child protection always followed
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 and mentoring others 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 4 / PDA qualification - or a willingness to work towards it
- Ideally nurture-trained, though full training will be provided if not
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 and we will be in touch with the next steps.
Pay & benefits are discussed on application.
If you want to chat about the role before applying call Caroline on 07933 806308 or email [email protected]
Work Location: In person
