Job Description

Qualified L3 Nursery Practitioners -

4 or 5 day week options

Do not

apply

if you do not have a

qualification

in childcare!

Job Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Nursery Room Manager and Nursery Practitioner to join our team in SE15. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in early childhood education and a genuine love for working with children. As a Nursery Practitioner, you will play a vital role in creating a nurturing and stimulating environment that promotes the development and well-being of young children. Your leadership skills will be essential in managing daily activities and ensuring that each child receives the attention and care they deserve.

Requirements

A recognised qualification in Early Childhood Education or equivalent experience working with children. Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage a team effectively. Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Experience in childcare settings, particularly within nurseries. A genuine passion for working with young children and supporting their growth. Ability to drive initiatives that improve the nursery's practices and outcomes for children. Knowledge of child development theories and best practices in early years education.

Responsibilities

Manage daily nursery operations to ensure a safe and engaging environment for children. Plan and implement age-appropriate activities that foster learning and development. Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding their child's progress and well-being. Provide high-quality childcare, ensuring the physical, emotional, and social needs of children are met. Support children's learning through play, encouraging curiosity and exploration. Maintain accurate records of children's development and progress. Collaborate with colleagues to create a cohesive team environment focused on best practices in early childhood education.

Skills

Strong understanding of early childhood education principles and practices. Experience working with children in a nursery or childcare setting is essential. Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Ability to drive initiatives that enhance the nursery experience for children and families. Leadership qualities to manage activities effectively while fostering teamwork among staff. A nurturing attitude with the ability to build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children while working in a supportive team environment dedicated to excellence in childcare.

Staff Benefits Policy

Our ambition for how it feels to work with us can be summed up very simply: we want you to be happy and fulfilled every day. We value respect for each other, we value a deep sense of professionalism, and we value a passion for our work. This is how we come together as a team of special people who share the same thinking.

We know that our job is incredibly important, we are giving our children the opportunity to develop the fundamental capacities that they need to become happy and fulfilled adults, who contribute to society and become our next generation. We do this with lots of joy and laughter every day.

Staff Benefits

Our team is our most important and valuable resource. Along with a friendly, happy and welcoming environment you can also benefit from:

Childcare discounts

- We offer a discount on your nursery fees if you would like your child to join The Puddleduck Nursery. 10% for team members, rising to 25% when you become a Nursery Manager.

Emergency Childcare

- Subject to availability, we offer all of our team members with nursery-aged children 3 back-up childcare days in one of our nurseries, subject to availability.

Enhanced holiday allowance

- The nursery industry typically offers 28 days holiday a year including bank holidays. If you are not off sick or do not take unscheduled time off in one quarter, you can accrue one additional day's holiday per quarter, which can be an extra 4 days in a year.

You will also get your birthday off as we believe you should spend the day celebrating! If your birthday falls on a weekend, your manager will give you one day off that week instead.

We offer 1 extra day of leave per year after 2 years of service. This is capped at 5 years. This is pro rata for employees working less than 5 days per week.

Sick pay

- Company sick pay up to 1 year of service - nil / SSP

2-3 years of service - 3 days paid (pro rata)

3+ years of service - 5 days paid (pro rata)

Annual Salary Reviews

- for all staff with consideration to increase wages in line with cost of living.

Refer a friend bonus -

receive 300 for referring a friend to work with us after they have passed their probation.

Discretionary Leave -

We understand that sometimes life takes an unexpected and difficult turn. To help our team through very difficult challenges such as bereavements or family illness we may offer up to 5 days unpaid leave to help and support you, depending on individual circumstances.

Overtime -

sometimes there are opportunities to take over time as your choice, which can be taken as additional salary or toil/holiday.

Pension

- We auto-enroll you into, and contribute towards, a workplace pension for Under the Willow team members, in line with government guidelines.

Career development and progression

3 INSET days per year.

For those who are really interested in adding to their skill set and who want to lead in a particular focus area such as Froebel, Forest School, Montessori, Team Happiness or Mental Health, we would love to support you through this.

External & accredited training: We have a range of funded courses: Montessori, Level 2 & 3 EY Apprenticeships; Chef Academy; Forest School; Level 5 EY Lead Practitioner (EYLP) Apprenticeship; EYITT; National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO); National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) from Sept 2022.

On the job coaching & mentoring: During and after your induction, Managers coach and support you daily. We will also set you up with a mentor to support your development. Every interaction is an opportunity to develop and learn together.

We encourage you to talk to us/work with us to realise your ambitions and dreams. We have two very different settings where you can grow and learn new and innovative ways of educating young children.

Pregnancy

- We know that every pregnancy is different, which is why we offer support to our team members who are experiencing complications, additional challenges, or miscarriage.

Cycle to work scheme

- This allows you to buy a bike to cycle to work on and save the tax.

Well - being weeks

- For one week per term, we'll run a rolling programme of wellbeing activities. We run sessions in mindfulness and yoga, arts and crafts and more, all of which are free and available to all team members.

Bright HR -

discounts onexclusive marketplaces

Free lunch and drinks

- Our on-site chef cooks fresh and nutritious meals for our nursery teams every day, and we've also got tea and coffee for you to help yourself to. Our team can enjoy lunch with the children daily, and unlimited supplies of caffeine & herbal tea.

Assistance Programme

- Sometimes life can be tough. All team members have access to our Employee Assistance Programme, which offers online and face to face counselling, citizens advice and wellbeing support.

Legal help line

Menopause Support -

We understand that the menopause can throw up all sorts of challenges, both physically and mentally. Support is on hand, so do speak to your manager for help.

5 year bonus -

We offer our employees a 1000 bonus after 5 years of service!

Sabbatical

- We recognise that our team members make a huge contribution to our success. In return we recognise that there may, at some point, be a time when you need to take an extended period of time away from work to undertake study, to provide care for a dependent, to go on the holiday of a lifetime or to pursue other interests such as family, charitable or public service. As long as you've been with Under the Willow for at least 3 years, you could apply for a sabbatical that lasts from one month to a year.

This policy is subject to change and can be retracted at any time

Qualified Nursery Room Leader and Qualified L3 Nursery Practitioners -

4 or 5 day week options

Job Summary

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Nursery Room Manager and Nursery Practitioner to join our team in SE15. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in early childhood education and a genuine love for working with children. As a Nursery Practitioner, you will play a vital role in creating a nurturing and stimulating environment that promotes the development and well-being of young children. Your leadership skills will be essential in managing daily activities and ensuring that each child receives the attention and care they deserve.

Responsibilities

Manage daily nursery operations to ensure a safe and engaging environment for children. Plan and implement age-appropriate activities that foster learning and development. Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding their child's progress and well-being. Provide high-quality childcare, ensuring the physical, emotional, and social needs of children are met. Support children's learning through play, encouraging curiosity and exploration. Maintain accurate records of children's development and progress. Collaborate with colleagues to create a cohesive team environment focused on best practices in early childhood education.

Skills

Strong understanding of early childhood education principles and practices. Experience working with children in a nursery or childcare setting is essential. Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Ability to drive initiatives that enhance the nursery experience for children and families. Leadership qualities to manage activities effectively while fostering teamwork among staff. A nurturing attitude with the ability to build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children while working in a supportive team environment dedicated to excellence in childcare.

Staff Benefits Policy

Our ambition for how it feels to work with us can be summed up very simply: we want you to be happy and fulfilled every day. We value respect for each other, we value a deep sense of professionalism, and we value a passion for our work. This is how we come together as a team of special people who share the same thinking.

We know that our job is incredibly important, we are giving our children the opportunity to develop the fundamental capacities that they need to become happy and fulfilled adults, who contribute to society and become our next generation. We do this with lots of joy and laughter every day.

Staff Benefits

Our team is our most important and valuable resource. Along with a friendly, happy and welcoming environment you can also benefit from:

Childcare discounts

- We offer a discount on your nursery fees if you would like your child to join The Puddleduck Nursery. 10% for team members, rising to 25% when you become a Nursery Manager.

Emergency Childcare

- Subject to availability, we offer all of our team members with nursery-aged children 3 back-up childcare days in one of our nurseries, subject to availability.

Enhanced holiday allowance

- The nursery industry typically offers 28 days holiday a year including bank holidays. If you are not off sick or do not take unscheduled time off in one quarter, you can accrue one additional day's holiday per quarter, which can be an extra 4 days in a year.

You will also get your birthday off as we believe you should spend the day celebrating! If your birthday falls on a weekend, your manager will give you one day off that week instead.

We offer 1 extra day of leave per year after 2 years of service. This is capped at 5 years. This is pro rata for employees working less than 5 days per week.

Sick pay

- Company sick pay up to 1 year of service - nil / SSP

2-3 years of service - 3 days paid (pro rata)

3+ years of service - 5 days paid (pro rata)

Annual Salary Reviews

- for all staff with consideration to increase wages in line with cost of living.

Refer a friend bonus -

receive 300 for referring a friend to work with us after they have passed their probation.

Discretionary Leave -

We understand that sometimes life takes an unexpected and difficult turn. To help our team through very difficult challenges such as bereavements or family illness we may offer up to 5 days unpaid leave to help and support you, depending on individual circumstances.

Overtime -

sometimes there are opportunities to take over time as your choice, which can be taken as additional salary or toil/holiday.

Pension

- We auto-enroll you into, and contribute towards, a workplace pension for Under the Willow team members, in line with government guidelines.

Career development and progression

3 INSET days per year.

For those who are really interested in adding to their skill set and who want to lead in a particular focus area such as Froebel, Forest School, Montessori, Team Happiness or Mental Health, we would love to support you through this.

External & accredited training: We have a range of funded courses: Montessori, Level 2 & 3 EY Apprenticeships; Chef Academy; Forest School; Level 5 EY Lead Practitioner (EYLP) Apprenticeship; EYITT; National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO); National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) from Sept 2022.

On the job coaching & mentoring: During and after your induction, Managers coach and support you daily. We will also set you up with a mentor to support your development. Every interaction is an opportunity to develop and learn together.

We encourage you to talk to us/work with us to realise your ambitions and dreams. We have two very different settings where you can grow and learn new and innovative ways of educating young children.

Pregnancy

- We know that every pregnancy is different, which is why we offer support to our team members who are experiencing complications, additional challenges, or miscarriage.

Cycle to work scheme

- This allows you to buy a bike to cycle to work on and save the tax.

Well - being weeks

- For one week per term, we'll run a rolling programme of wellbeing activities. We run sessions in mindfulness and yoga, arts and crafts and more, all of which are free and available to all team members.

Bright HR -

discounts onexclusive marketplaces

Free lunch and drinks

- Our on-site chef cooks fresh and nutritious meals for our nursery teams every day, and we've also got tea and coffee for you to help yourself to. Our team can enjoy lunch with the children daily, and unlimited supplies of caffeine & herbal tea.

Assistance Programme

- Sometimes life can be tough. All team members have access to our Employee Assistance Programme, which offers online and face to face counselling, citizens advice and wellbeing support.

Legal help line

Menopause Support -

We understand that the menopause can throw up all sorts of challenges, both physically and mentally. Support is on hand, so do speak to your manager for help.

5 year bonus -

We offer our employees a 1000 bonus after 5 years of service!

Sabbatical

- We recognise that our team members make a huge contribution to our success. In return we recognise that there may, at some point, be a time when you need to take an extended period of time away from work to undertake study, to provide care for a dependent, to go on the holiday of a lifetime or to pursue other interests such as family, charitable or public service. As long as you've been with Under the Willow for at least 3 years, you could apply for a sabbatical that lasts from one month to a year.

This policy is subject to change and can be retracted at any time

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 26,000.00-32,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Casual dress Childcare Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Employee discount Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Language training provided On-site parking Referral programme Sabbatical Sick pay Transport links
Schedule:

10 hour shift 8 hour shift Monday to Friday No weekends
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 25/05/2025
Expected start date: 01/06/2025