Nursery Pracitioner
| Posting date: | 02 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 02 May 2026 |
| Location: | Ip11lh |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Ipswich Early years |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
The Nursery Practitioner plays a key role in delivering high-quality childcare and early education. This includes creating an enabling, stimulating environment that promotes learning through play and supports the emotional, physical, and social development of children aged 0–5.
Working closely with the Nursery Manager, Regional Manager, and colleagues, the Nursery Practitioner ensures that every child receives personalised care and education in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and nursery policies.
The Nursery Practitioner reports directly to the Nursery Manager.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and deliver engaging and age-appropriate activities that reflect children's individual needs, interests, and stages of development.
Contribute to the delivery of the EYFS framework and ensure curriculum planning links directly to observations and assessments.
Maintain a positive relationship with children, helping them to build self-confidence and learn through play.
Create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and ensures all children are fully integrated into daily activities.
Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers.
Communicate effectively with parents regarding their child’s progress, development, and any concerns.
Offer support and signposting to parents/carers, collaborating with the wider team and external professionals where needed.
Work closely with colleagues, senior staff, and external agencies to support children’s development and family needs.
Contribute to team meetings, share ideas, and support consistent implementation of nursery policies and procedures.
Support senior practitioners in maintaining ratios and providing a smooth day-to-day operation of the nursery.
Follow the guidance and direction of senior leadership and management.
Ensure that all safeguarding policies and procedures are followed and report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Support and promote a safe, clean, and hygienic environment, including participating in cleaning duties and risk assessments.
Administer paediatric first aid and respond appropriately to incidents or accidents as required.
Comply with health and safety legislation, GDPR, and equal opportunities policies at all times.
Set up and clear away activities and resources, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.
Manage your time effectively and take responsibility for completing all shift-related duties.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records including observations, assessments, and tracking of child development.
Undertake any additional duties appropriate to the role as requested by management.
Work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and during peak periods, to meet the needs of the service.
Keep up to date with developments in early years education, Ofsted guidelines, EYFS requirements, and safeguarding practices.
Participate in all mandatory training, including Safeguarding and First Aid. Paediatric
Take responsibility for your own professional development and discuss training needs with your line manager.
Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional learning.
Reports to the Senior Nursery Practitioner, deputy manager and Nursery Manager, or other members of the management team.
Builds effective and collaborative working relationships with:
Children and families
Nursery team and other departments
External agencies, local authority teams, and professionals
Role Requirements
Experience working with children aged 0–5
Experience of planning and delivering activities aligned with the EYFS
Experience supporting diverse families in a non-judgemental, inclusive way
Experience reporting and recording safeguarding and SEND concerns
Understanding of equal opportunities in service delivery
Childcare qualification (Level 2/3 or equivalent)
Strong understanding of the EYFS framework and Ofsted requirements
Knowledge of safeguarding and SEND needs
Familiarity with health and safety practices in a childcare setting
Knowledge of diversity, inclusion, and equalities in community-based environments
Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with both colleagues and families
Good written and verbal communication skills
Organised and able to manage own workload and timekeeping
Ability to use initiative to problem-solve and respond to children’s needs
Confident using digital systems for recording observations and assessments
Ability to lead by example and promote a high-quality childcare service
Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity in responding to family needs
Reliable and professional conduct at all times
Valid Paediatric First Aid certification
Ability to work on a rota system, including evenings and weekends
Willingness to carry out critical incident management as required
Clear Enhanced DBS certificate
Commitment to upholding nursery policies on safeguarding, child development, equality, and food safety
Working closely with the Nursery Manager, Regional Manager, and colleagues, the Nursery Practitioner ensures that every child receives personalised care and education in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and nursery policies.
The Nursery Practitioner reports directly to the Nursery Manager.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and deliver engaging and age-appropriate activities that reflect children's individual needs, interests, and stages of development.
Contribute to the delivery of the EYFS framework and ensure curriculum planning links directly to observations and assessments.
Maintain a positive relationship with children, helping them to build self-confidence and learn through play.
Create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and ensures all children are fully integrated into daily activities.
Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with parents and carers.
Communicate effectively with parents regarding their child’s progress, development, and any concerns.
Offer support and signposting to parents/carers, collaborating with the wider team and external professionals where needed.
Work closely with colleagues, senior staff, and external agencies to support children’s development and family needs.
Contribute to team meetings, share ideas, and support consistent implementation of nursery policies and procedures.
Support senior practitioners in maintaining ratios and providing a smooth day-to-day operation of the nursery.
Follow the guidance and direction of senior leadership and management.
Ensure that all safeguarding policies and procedures are followed and report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Support and promote a safe, clean, and hygienic environment, including participating in cleaning duties and risk assessments.
Administer paediatric first aid and respond appropriately to incidents or accidents as required.
Comply with health and safety legislation, GDPR, and equal opportunities policies at all times.
Set up and clear away activities and resources, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.
Manage your time effectively and take responsibility for completing all shift-related duties.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records including observations, assessments, and tracking of child development.
Undertake any additional duties appropriate to the role as requested by management.
Work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and during peak periods, to meet the needs of the service.
Keep up to date with developments in early years education, Ofsted guidelines, EYFS requirements, and safeguarding practices.
Participate in all mandatory training, including Safeguarding and First Aid. Paediatric
Take responsibility for your own professional development and discuss training needs with your line manager.
Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional learning.
Reports to the Senior Nursery Practitioner, deputy manager and Nursery Manager, or other members of the management team.
Builds effective and collaborative working relationships with:
Children and families
Nursery team and other departments
External agencies, local authority teams, and professionals
Role Requirements
Experience working with children aged 0–5
Experience of planning and delivering activities aligned with the EYFS
Experience supporting diverse families in a non-judgemental, inclusive way
Experience reporting and recording safeguarding and SEND concerns
Understanding of equal opportunities in service delivery
Childcare qualification (Level 2/3 or equivalent)
Strong understanding of the EYFS framework and Ofsted requirements
Knowledge of safeguarding and SEND needs
Familiarity with health and safety practices in a childcare setting
Knowledge of diversity, inclusion, and equalities in community-based environments
Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with both colleagues and families
Good written and verbal communication skills
Organised and able to manage own workload and timekeeping
Ability to use initiative to problem-solve and respond to children’s needs
Confident using digital systems for recording observations and assessments
Ability to lead by example and promote a high-quality childcare service
Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity in responding to family needs
Reliable and professional conduct at all times
Valid Paediatric First Aid certification
Ability to work on a rota system, including evenings and weekends
Willingness to carry out critical incident management as required
Clear Enhanced DBS certificate
Commitment to upholding nursery policies on safeguarding, child development, equality, and food safety