Job Description

3 or 4 day working week opportunity

- Due to the recent expansion of the Government Funding Scheme, our childcare places are now under even greater demand. To ensure we can comfortably cover the increase in children attending, we are looking to recruit an additional team member. The post is for a fully qualified Early Years Practitioner

*A Full & Relevant Early Years Level 2 or 3 qualification is a non-negotiable .

Please do not apply if you do not hold a 'Full & Relevant' Early Years qualification.

We do not offer term time only contracts or sponsorship.

Although our setting is relatively small, it allows the team to know all of the children and families extremely well, while also allowing the ability to be extremely supportive, positive, creative and friendly without the pressure that can come with roles in larger provisions or chains. The outside area has an additional section of adjoining land which is utilised as our very own Forest School which is lead by our Senior Lead Practitioner each week. If this is an area you enjoy, you may express your interest to be considered as the regular Forest School Assistant *Specific Forest School training can be arranged for the right candidate after a successful probationary period.

You can see it for yourself at:

www.sparklingminds.co.uk/about-us/our-setting/

with an

online tour of the building and grounds

.

Ideally this would be a full-time opportunity working on a staff rota of

'four days on' and 'one day off'

each week (37hrs per week). For the right person

we are open to discuss a 3 day working week before any offer of interview.

We are open to families all year with the exception of a week of Christmas closure and Bank Holidays. 15 minute paid break each day with a 45 minute unpaid lunchbreak = 10 hour day

(Doors open to children at 8am and last child can be collected at 6pm).

Pay range shown is for a basic wage and highest pay (to be reviewed in April 2026) and would be dependent on final contracted hours.

For the right candidates who may choose to travel from slightly further afield, we consider a monthly travel support payment (at our discretion) which would be discussed at the point of interview. We offer a free package of training to all our staff and provide several sets of uniform. 50% discounted childcare is available for staff children requiring a place in our setting (subject to availability of spaces). As part of our family business, we will know you as an individual and look after you as an employee to ensure you can look after our little ones!

As we are set on farmland, please consider the ability to travel to and from site each day as we are not on a public transport route

- most suited to drivers although several staff ride their bike to work each day. We have a large car park, so no extra issues or cost are incurred for parking while at work.

Visit

www.sparklingminds.co.uk

for contact details and an opportunity to look at our 360 tour.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Preferred candidates will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be required to complete safeguarding training. We will also require at least two positive references before employment can begin.

We have four values at the heart of all that we do:

'Be Kind, Be Honest, Be Fair & Be Respectful'

This is what our team say about us:

"Such a lovely setting to work at. We really are one big family!"

"Sparkling Minds Nursery have made me wake up in the morning and want to go to work. Since starting here, I have loved every day! I have completed a variety of courses which have benefited me in furthering my knowledge and skills"

"We love to have fun, sing, dance and laugh. We build good relationships with children and each other...be kind to everyone and help each other..."

"Sparkling Minds is a lovely place to work. We all work well together and help each other out...I'm not the most confident of people, but the manager and owners are always there if you need support, advice or a chat. They support with any training and regularly stay behind to support those with training".

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 24,050.00-25,350.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Childcare Employee discount Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: In person