Early Years Practitioner

Early years Practitioner

Competitive hourly rate

Hours: 2, 3 or 4 full days per week (07.30 - 6) or 5 afternoons 12 - 6

We are looking for someone special to come and join our lovely nurseries.

We are looking for someone who is

Caring

You will have a naturally caring nature and will provide the children we look after with the love and warmth that they need when they are away from home. If children fall over, they might need a cuddle from you and their tears wiped away, if they’re tired and struggling to sleep, they might need to be held and rocked by you, or if a child is missing their family, they might need some kind, gentle words to offer comfort and reassurance.

Passionate

You will be passionate about providing quality care and education for young children, both indoors and outdoors and in the local community. You will provide exciting provocations for learning to make our nurseries the best they can be. You will be an enthusiastic person who shares our passion for inclusivity, child led learning, and our environmentally friendly values.

Creative

Being creative at Priesthills isn't all about Pinterest worthy tuff trays It's about being adaptable and thinking outside the box. You will be a natural problem solver, always looking for ways to make our nurseries the best they can be.

A team player

You will be positive and friendly and will work alongside and in conjunction with the rest of your team. You will be supportive and collaborative, and you will help us to make decisions to benefit the whole nursery. You will share your knowledge with colleagues and will learn from each other.

Experienced and educated

It would be an advantage (although not a deal breaker) if you already have experience within a nursery setting, preferably with a similar ethos to that of our own. You will have excellent knowledge of the EYFS Statutory Framework and safeguarding children or be willing to learn. You will also hold a minimum level 3 full and relevant childcare qualification or be willing to study for this.

What we can offer you

Supportive working environment

At Priesthills, we do our utmost to provide a caring and supportive working environment. You will be valued for your unique contribution to our nursery and will feel appreciated. Outstanding practice is celebrated and shared with our team and staff who have gone ‘above and beyond’ are recognised each month. Staff who need extra support for any reason will be looked after as best we can; time off to support poorly loved ones, help with college work, in room support during challenging times etc.

We regularly survey staff to gauge their opinion on how our workplace is run and what we could do to make it better.

Opportunity and challenge

At Priesthills, we are continuously looking to improve our nurseries and we invite our staff along for the ride Staff learn alongside us as we introduce new resources, activities and ways to improve our practice. Ideas from our team are welcomed and shared with colleagues and budgets are provided to facilitate these.

Career progression

Our existing team members are prioritised for senior roles. We offer opportunities to progress and develop, and to take on additional responsibilities within the nursery should you wish. We support and encourage continuing professional development and further training, which is tailored to individual staff’s interests and skill sets.

Work / Life balance

We close our nurseries between Christmas and New Year so that you get chance to rest and spend quality time with your loved ones. We close every bank holiday and offer additional holiday days at times to suit you. All of our full-time staff have one full day off per week. We are very flexible with providing time off to attend appointments and children’s school assemblies and sports days etc. Staff are never expected to take paperwork home to catch up and we will always provide ‘off the job’ time for this.

Food and drink

We pride ourselves on the high quality, home cooked food that we offer to our children and staff. All of our team are welcome to help themselves to breakfast, lunch and tea with the children and drinks throughout the day.

Treats

Our staff regularly enjoy sweet treats, a visit from the coffee van, takeaways at staff meetings, all expenses paid parties and Christmas bonuses and presents to name but a few

Pay & benefits

We offer above industry average rates of pay. We provide paid sick leave and employees have access to telephone Counselling should they need it. We offer a generous childcare discount and accommodate flexible working wherever possible.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

**Salary**: From £11.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Childcare
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring programme
- Sick pay

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- No weekends

School type:

- Day nursery

**Education**:

- GCSE or equiv