Nursery Practitioner

**Nursery Practitioner Post - Job Opportunity - May 2025.**

Catkins is a small Ofsted rated...double 'Outstanding' childcare setting in Horsham.

We can't promise you golden handshakes on joining us, trips abroad, or a company car, but what we can promise you, is that you would be joining a fabulous team of supportive Nursery Practitioners, who look out for each other, and because we run in a 'family tiered group; there's no 'room rivalry', we really work well together..... and with enthusiasm and pride in what we are able to achieve, and we'll welcome anyone who wishes to join us

We cater for up to 24 children aged 2-5 years, and we are seeking a part-time or full-time Level 2 or 3 trained Nursery Practitioner to join us in our nursery, and work 25-40hrs per week, 4 days a week worked if full-time, with one full weekday off.

Part-time hours and days can be discussed, we have a range of shift patterns available as we try to be flexible where we can. We work around family life to try and make sure you have flexible working to fit around dependents' activities, special days/events etc, where we do our best to accommodate staff and staff reciprocate that too.

We enjoy providing new & exciting ideas and activities for the children in our care, we love our job, and support each other as a team.

We are open from 8am-6pm for 50 weeks of the year as we are shut for the Christmas/New Year break, and for a full working week in August. We are a stand-alone setting and we're proud to be 'Outstanding'.

We have a fully fitted kitchen and catering staff, and all nursery meals are prepared on site. Staff can have free hot meals or snacks while working, and have a staff area for breaks. Staff covering the children’s lunch times sit, eat and chat with the children, or you can choose to have a 'toastie', a bacon sandwich, or a nice healthy salad, (as in the famous Large story), etc, it's all free. Staff facilities also include a shower. We have uniforms and coats supplied, and free parking on site.

Staff have the opportunity for continued professional development by attending training courses and the opportunity to develop their role within the setting by taking on areas of interest or expertise. Junior/new staff are mentored by more experienced staff, having a regular time each week allocated together to help you to ease into the job and the routine.

The owner/manager is committed in continuing to develop a high quality, successful setting with a strong and supporting staff team to ensure ALL children attending, reach their full potential.

We have had two ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted ratings in succession, and we are all proud of our achievements and believe passionately about what we do.

**Responsibilities and Duties**

The successful applicant will need to......
- be enthusiastic about all that they do
- smile and engage with the children, play alongside and support their learning effectively
- be able or willing to sing and dance with children and staff and have an exciting range of

songs and rhymes to hand
- get messy with malleable activities and enjoy experiencing these with the children
- love the outdoors even when it's raining
- offer comfort and a lap when it's needed
- read stories upside down
- play in the home corner and drink lots of tea and eat play dough cakes, (as well as real ones

on special occasions)
- join in with the 'end of year' leavers' water party and get very wet

**Qualifications and Skills**

A Level 2 or 3 Nursery Practitioner is essential for this role. We are sadly losing a Level 3 staff member due to their relocation to a new area.

(Sorry - we cannot not consider unqualified applicants)

Child Protection, Food Hygiene, Manual Handling, Health and Safety, and First Aid training can be arranged if not already held. We also offer training courses throughout the year if you have a particular interest in an area of the curriculum

**You should be able to:

- **
- be a good communicator with staff and parents
- work well within the team in providing the best care and education that we can.
- adhere to all policies and procedures followed by nursery, and allow the children to take 'safe risks'
- be committed in providing a caring and nurturing, 'home from home' experience for the children in our care

**Benefits**

Free meals and refreshments provided whilst at work, (chocolate & cake are frequently included).

Capacity bonus, we will offer this when nursery reaches a set occupational level and share our success with you.

Ongoing continued professional development, training and skills swaps, with a mentor system in place for new or less experienced staff members.

A pleasant and friendly working atmosphere with an experienced, cheerful nursery team, who support each other daily working together in one main playroom in a 'family tiered' group.

Pension scheme.

Holiday - 21 days, plus bank holidays, (pro-rata for part-time staff) and an extra day off for long service.

Christmas events & s