Qualified Early Years Practitioner
| Posting date: | 09 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26,208 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 March 2026 |
| Location: | IP28 6TU |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Culford School |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
We are currently looking to appoint an Early Years Practitioner to work as part of the team at Culford Nursery. We are looking for enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgeable individuals to join our growing team.
40 hours per week
Working hours between 7.30 am and 6.00 pm Monday to Friday over 4 and a half days
Salary £26,208 per annum
Main Responsibilities and Tasks
To work as a key person within a ‘family group’, planning, creating and implementing engaging activities, tailored to each of your key children
To provide safe, high-quality education and care for children aged 1-3
To have full regard to the requirements of the Statutory Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage
Contribute towards an environment which safeguards children at all times
Develop and maintain strong parent/ carer partnerships
Promote and ensure child welfare, protection, health and safety and safeguarding
Work with colleagues to maintain a positive, happy and safe environment
To liaise closely with parents /carers, informing them about the nursery and its delivery of the EYFS, exchanging information about the children’s progress and encouraging parental involvement
Provide a safe and healthy environment for all children in the group at all times
Provide comfort and care at all times and ensure that children feel welcome and safe
Be familiar with safeguarding including own responsibilities together with care and risk assessment
To meet the physical needs of children, encouraging good standards of personal hygiene, whilst promoting independence
To provide support for the children’s emotional and social needs by implementing the principles of our Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy and role modelling high standards in all aspects of their role and personal conduct
To have a knowledge of and adhere to all Health and Safety Regulations
To attend meetings as required and participate in training opportunities and performance development
To undertake any duties set to you by the Management Team that will assist in the day-to-day running of the Nursery.
Skills and personal qualities
Minimum of relevant Level 3 childcare qualification (or equivalent)
Previous experience working with children 0-5 and a good knowledge of the EYFS
Fully supportive of the aims and ethos of an independent school
A good standard of written, spoken and listening skills
A high level of flexibility with a ‘can do’ attitude and an openness to new ideas and practices
Dynamic and approachable, able to put people at ease, reassure, guide, and explain
Ability to confidently work alongside children, staff and parents
Understanding the age-appropriate needs and concerns of young children and having natural empathy with them
Innovative, hard-working, driven and determined
Resilient with a good sense of humour
The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
What we can offer you
Free lunch provided by the on-site catering team
Membership of the Culford Sports and Tennis Centre
Continuing Professional Development and networking opportunities
Enhanced pension contributions
Employee Assistance Programme
Access to Health Cash Plan after 6 months’ service
Group Life Insurance after 6 months service
Early applicants are encouraged and we reserve the right to close the deadline at any time. Please note that a Culford Application must be submitted for your application to be considered, via the Culford Website- insert link .
Safeguarding
Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo a child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Flexibility and Variation:
This job description outlines the role as it stands at the date shown. Culford School periodically reviews job descriptions to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Changes may be made following consultation with the post holder. While the aim is to agree on reasonable changes, the School reserves the right to change the job description following consultation.
All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks to meet vetting and barring requirements. For more information about that process please refer to the application form.
As an equal opportunities employer, Culford School is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Culford School.
Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer’s mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.
Job applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening and be subject to checks with previous employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before the commencement of employment.
Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.
40 hours per week
Working hours between 7.30 am and 6.00 pm Monday to Friday over 4 and a half days
Salary £26,208 per annum
Main Responsibilities and Tasks
To work as a key person within a ‘family group’, planning, creating and implementing engaging activities, tailored to each of your key children
To provide safe, high-quality education and care for children aged 1-3
To have full regard to the requirements of the Statutory Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage
Contribute towards an environment which safeguards children at all times
Develop and maintain strong parent/ carer partnerships
Promote and ensure child welfare, protection, health and safety and safeguarding
Work with colleagues to maintain a positive, happy and safe environment
To liaise closely with parents /carers, informing them about the nursery and its delivery of the EYFS, exchanging information about the children’s progress and encouraging parental involvement
Provide a safe and healthy environment for all children in the group at all times
Provide comfort and care at all times and ensure that children feel welcome and safe
Be familiar with safeguarding including own responsibilities together with care and risk assessment
To meet the physical needs of children, encouraging good standards of personal hygiene, whilst promoting independence
To provide support for the children’s emotional and social needs by implementing the principles of our Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy and role modelling high standards in all aspects of their role and personal conduct
To have a knowledge of and adhere to all Health and Safety Regulations
To attend meetings as required and participate in training opportunities and performance development
To undertake any duties set to you by the Management Team that will assist in the day-to-day running of the Nursery.
Skills and personal qualities
Minimum of relevant Level 3 childcare qualification (or equivalent)
Previous experience working with children 0-5 and a good knowledge of the EYFS
Fully supportive of the aims and ethos of an independent school
A good standard of written, spoken and listening skills
A high level of flexibility with a ‘can do’ attitude and an openness to new ideas and practices
Dynamic and approachable, able to put people at ease, reassure, guide, and explain
Ability to confidently work alongside children, staff and parents
Understanding the age-appropriate needs and concerns of young children and having natural empathy with them
Innovative, hard-working, driven and determined
Resilient with a good sense of humour
The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
What we can offer you
Free lunch provided by the on-site catering team
Membership of the Culford Sports and Tennis Centre
Continuing Professional Development and networking opportunities
Enhanced pension contributions
Employee Assistance Programme
Access to Health Cash Plan after 6 months’ service
Group Life Insurance after 6 months service
Early applicants are encouraged and we reserve the right to close the deadline at any time. Please note that a Culford Application must be submitted for your application to be considered, via the Culford Website- insert link .
Safeguarding
Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo a child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Flexibility and Variation:
This job description outlines the role as it stands at the date shown. Culford School periodically reviews job descriptions to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Changes may be made following consultation with the post holder. While the aim is to agree on reasonable changes, the School reserves the right to change the job description following consultation.
All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks to meet vetting and barring requirements. For more information about that process please refer to the application form.
As an equal opportunities employer, Culford School is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Culford School.
Culford School puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer’s mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.
Job applicants will undergo appropriate child protection screening and be subject to checks with previous employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before the commencement of employment.
Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.