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- Tasks: Supervise children and create engaging learning activities in a safe nursery environment.
- Company: Join Spring, an award-winning childcare provider dedicated to outstanding early education across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, childcare discounts, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive and caring culture.
- Qualifications: A Level 3 Early Years qualification is essential; passion for child development is a must.
- Other info: We encourage diverse applicants and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.
Location: Exeter, Devon
Salary: Up to £26,499 per annum
Contract/Hours: Permanent Full Time - 40 hours per week
Closing date: Midnight on 1st May 2025
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays
- 60% discount on childcare within our nurseries and clubs
- Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities
- Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
- Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
- Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers' discounts
About Spring
Spring offers award-winning childcare services, as part of the national charity Action for Children. It is our mission to be the best provider of outstanding quality early education to children throughout the UK, that is accessible to all. We are focused on enabling young people to learn, have fun and make friends in our bright, engaging settings. That starts with creating a happy environment for our team.
Join us and you can look forward to:
- A kind, caring culture with an emphasis on wellbeing, both physical and mental.
- Flexible working - wherever possible we offer flexibility on hours and/or hybrid working.
- Lots of opportunities for training, learning, development, including gaining qualifications.
- Excellent benefits that compare favourably to other employers in our sector.
About the nursery
Spring Cedars is an established nursery in Exeter with a home from home environment. The Nursery caters for 46 children per day, from babies to 4 years. With a dedicated and highly qualified team who are passionate about children's well-being. The learning environments encourage children to be curious, discover and learn through the provision of natural and open-ended resources.
In the role of Early Years Practitioner, you'll be allowing the children to explore and discover their own creativity, individuality, and imagination within our bright, engaging and safe environments.
What you'll be doing
In the role of Early Years Practitioner (Level 3), you'll be:
- Supervising children and keeping our active, flexible nursery environment safe and suited to their needs.
- Giving children a wide range of stimulating, safe and well-planned activities.
- Creating engaging, fun and informative learning opportunities, to help children make excellent progress in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Building solid relationships with parents / carers, families and professionals involved with the children.
- Meeting each of the children's individual needs, keeping accurate records and regularly communicating with parents / carers.
- Having a positive attitude, making every single day count for the children in our care.
What we need from you
In the role of Early Years Practitioner (Level 3), we're ideally looking for someone who has:
- A Level 3 Early Years and Childcare qualification e.g. NNEB, CACHE, NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education or equivalent which is essential for the role.
- A passion to learn and develop whether you are newly qualified or an experienced practitioner.
- Full understanding of children's emotional, physical, psychological and educational developmental needs from 0 to 5 years.
- A positive attitude with an unwavering commitment to service excellence to allow us to maintain our high standards.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
At Spring Oscars we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within the organisation. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups. Male staff are often under-represented within this sector, and we would like to encourage more male applicants for our roles. We are committed to safer recruitment practices to protect our service users; therefore, all applicants are expected to have an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding best-practice.
Early Years Practitioner employer: Action for Children
Contact Detail:
Action for Children Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Understanding its principles and how they apply to children's development will help you demonstrate your knowledge during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for early years education by engaging in relevant community activities or volunteering at local nurseries. This hands-on experience can provide you with valuable insights and examples to discuss when you meet with us.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with other professionals in the early years sector. Attend workshops, seminars, or online forums to connect with others who share your interests. This can lead to valuable recommendations and insights about our organisation.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would create a safe and stimulating environment for children. Think of specific activities or strategies you would implement to support their learning and development, as this will show your proactive approach to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Early Years Practitioner position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these expectations.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Make sure to emphasise your Level 3 Early Years and Childcare qualification or any equivalent certifications. Include specific examples of how your education has prepared you for this role.
Showcase Your Passion: In your cover letter, express your passion for early years education and your commitment to children's development. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your dedication to creating a positive learning environment.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in the childcare sector.
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Show Your Passion for Early Years Education
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working with young children. Share specific examples of how you've engaged with children in the past and how you plan to create stimulating learning environments.
✨Understand the Role's Requirements
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of an Early Years Practitioner. Be prepared to discuss how your qualifications and experiences align with the expectations outlined in the job description.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Child Development
Highlight your understanding of children's developmental needs from 0 to 5 years. Discuss any relevant training or experiences that showcase your ability to support children's emotional, physical, and educational growth.
✨Prepare Questions About the Nursery Environment
Think of insightful questions to ask about the nursery's approach to early education and child care. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the environment aligns with your values and teaching style.
