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- Tasks: Engage with children through play, reading, and activities to support their development.
- Company: Join Ormiston Families, a leading charity dedicated to supporting children and families in East England.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, employee discounts, and mental health support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive and fun environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a level 2 qualification in childcare and experience in an early years setting.
- Other info: Flexible hours available, including full-time and part-time roles.
Based - Play Out Nursery in Ipswich
Hourly Rate: £12.60 per hour (FTE £24,570 - Real Living Wage)
We have a range of hours available including:
- Full-time Permanent Post working 37.5 hours
- Part-time Permanent posts either working 8am to 1pm or 1pm to 6pm
- As & When (bank)
Ormiston Families, trading as Play Out Nursery, is one of the leading charities working with children, young people, and families in the East of England. We take early and preventative action to support families to be safe, healthy, and resilient.
Job Purpose: At Play Out, a Nursery Practitioner is involved in looking after all aspects of a young child's development. You will play a vital role in helping children to grow socially and emotionally as well as supporting all aspects of their physical and cognitive development. The role involves being hands-on with the children in the setting (ranging from babies to pre-schoolers) and that means joining in with play activities, reading stories, singing songs and generally being a playmate for the children. Your role will also involve developing a relationship with the parents and carers of the children and being able to talk to them about all aspects of their child's day in nursery. As part of the team you will also be involved in planning activities for the children in your care and maintaining health and hygiene standards as you go about your daily tasks.
Main Tasks:
- To provide all aspects of basic care for the babies/children within the nursery.
- To assist in the planning and provision of age appropriate child and adult led activities within the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.
- To act as Key Person for allocated children, completing observations and maintaining learning journeys to record their progress and development.
- To maintain relevant records and complete appropriate assessments for key children i.e. two year old progress checks and EYFS profiles.
- To ensure the nursery provides a high quality, safe, stimulating and supportive environment in which children are recognised as unique, competent and active learners.
- To undertake appropriate training and professional development activities as required.
- To ensure the effective use of equipment and resources and routine cleaning of toys/equipment to maintain the hygiene and safety within the nursery.
- To actively promote the provision with potential and existing parents and outside agencies.
- To adhere to Safeguarding, including child protection, policy, procedures and practices.
- To develop and maintain strong partnership and communication with parents/carers to facilitate day to day caring and early learning needs.
Skills and Experience of a Nursery Practitioner:
- Full and relevant level 2 qualification or equivalent (minimum)
- Experience of working in an early years setting
- Baby/toddler room roles - experience of working with children under two/over two
- Baby/toddler room roles - training specifically related to the care of babies/toddlers.
- Current paediatric first aid certificate
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of the EYFS and ability to plan and evaluate age appropriate activities.
What We Offer:
- Company pension scheme
- Regular staff events
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Discount Scheme
- We have trained Mental Health First Aiders who form our Wellbeing Team, promoting mental and physical health.
- Ormiston Families has also signed the pledge to support our employees going through the menopause in the workplace
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Sick Pay
- Discount in local shops
For further information and to apply please visit our website our-vacancies
Closing date for applications: 5pm, Tuesday 10th June 2025
Safeguarding and DBS requirements for your role: Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are an equal opportunities employer; we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Nursery Practitioner employer: Ormiston Families
Contact Detail:
Ormiston Families Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Understanding its principles will not only help you in your role but also show us that you're committed to providing high-quality care and education for children.
✨Tip Number 2
Gain experience in a nursery setting, especially with babies and toddlers. If you can, volunteer or shadow a Nursery Practitioner to get a feel for the daily routines and activities, which will make you stand out during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your communication skills, particularly when it comes to engaging with parents and carers. Being able to demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships with families will be crucial in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your passion for child development by discussing relevant training or workshops you've attended. This demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and your enthusiasm for working with children, which we highly value.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Nursery Practitioner. Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and how it applies to the role.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in early years settings, especially any work with babies and toddlers. Include your qualifications, such as your level 2 qualification or equivalent, and any specific training related to child care.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with children. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to support children's development and your understanding of the importance of building relationships with parents and carers.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in a nurturing environment like a nursery.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ormiston Families
✨Show Your Passion for Child Development
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working with children and your understanding of their developmental needs. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to nurturing children's growth.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the EYFS
Since the role involves planning activities based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), it’s crucial to demonstrate your knowledge of this framework. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement age-appropriate activities and assess children's progress.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations in the nursery, such as managing conflicts between children or communicating with parents. Think through your responses and consider using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
As a Nursery Practitioner, you'll be part of a team. Be ready to talk about your experience working collaboratively with others, sharing responsibilities, and supporting your colleagues. This will show that you can contribute positively to the nursery environment.
