Join a warm, supportive nursery setting in Andover where you’ll play a key role in giving children the best possible start in life. This is a permanent opportunity to work within a dedicated team, in a well-resourced environment that values professional practice, child-centred care, and staff wellbeing.

About the Role:

As a Nursery Practitioner, you will provide high-quality care and education for children in line with the EYFS, ensuring a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment. You will support children’s learning and development through planned, age-appropriate activities and responsive interactions. Working closely with colleagues and families, you will help each child progress socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day care for children, ensuring their safety, wellbeing and individual needs are consistently met.
• Plan, prepare and deliver engaging, age-appropriate activities that support all areas of learning in line with the EYFS.
• Observe, record and assess children’s development, maintaining accurate key person records and contributing to learning journeys.
• Implement effective behaviour management strategies, promoting positive behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Build trusting, professional relationships with parents and carers, providing regular feedback and supporting home–nursery partnerships.
• Maintain a clean, safe and stimulating environment, following all health, safety and hygiene procedures.
• Follow safeguarding and child protection procedures, promptly reporting any concerns in line with nursery policies.
• Work collaboratively with the nursery team, contributing to planning, meetings and continuous improvement of practice.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience working with young children in a nursery or early years setting.
• Strong knowledge of child development and how to support learning through play.
• Solid understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures in early years.
• Practical understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
• Confident behaviour management skills with a calm, consistent approach.
• Excellent communication skills with children, parents and colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, sharing ideas and supporting others.
• Organised, reliable and able to manage routines and responsibilities in a busy setting.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience as a key person, including planning and completing observations and assessments.
• Familiarity with digital systems for recording children’s progress and communication with parents.
• Experience supporting children with additional needs or EAL.
• Participation in continuous professional development related to early years education.

Qualifications:

• Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Early Years, Childcare or equivalent (required).
• Paediatric First Aid certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• Safeguarding and Child Protection training (recent and relevant).
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths (preferred).

If you are a committed Nursery Practitioner who is passionate about early years and ready for a permanent role in Andover, apply now to take the next step in your career.