Early Years Practitioner

Early Years Practitioner

Gerrards Cross Full-Time 26104 - 29120 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create engaging activities and nurture relationships with children in a fun, safe environment.
  • Company: Join Hungry Caterpillars, a nurturing nursery dedicated to early years education and child development.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a £500 starter bonus, 50% off childcare, and access to health care and training.
  • Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's lives while growing your skills in a supportive team.
  • Qualifications: Must have a Level 2 or 3 Early Years qualification and experience working with children.
  • Other info: Work full-time, Monday to Friday, in a beautifully designed nursery with exciting outdoor spaces.

The predicted salary is between 26104 - 29120 £ per year.

£26,104 - £26,728 Level 2 / £26,832 - £29,120 Level 3 + £500 New Starter Bonus

Location: 29 High Street, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, SL9 9QE

Position Type: Full-Time, All-Year-Round (40 hours per week, Monday to Friday)

Are you a passionate, qualified Early Years Educator ready to make a meaningful impact every day? If so, we’d love to welcome you to the Hungry Caterpillar Family - where joy, learning, and development go hand in hand.

About the Role:

As a Nursery Practitioner at Hungry Caterpillars, you’ll play a vital role in delivering exceptional early years education and care. Working as part of a supportive team, you’ll create engaging, child-led activities, nurture positive relationships, and ensure a safe, stimulating environment for every child. Whether indoors or out in our exciting gardens, you’ll bring fun, smiles, and curiosity into each day - helping children flourish emotionally, socially, and educationally. You’ll also have opportunities to grow your skills and career through our strong focus on professional development, training, and internal promotion pathways.

Responsibilities:

  • To assist with the planning of the curriculum using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum for guidance.
  • To help to set up the playroom(s) for the daily programme and to help tidy away at the end of the session.
  • To act as a key person to a small group of children, liaising closely and building an effective relationship with parents/carers and ensuring each child’s needs are recognised and met.
  • To support meal times within the setting.
  • To actively participate at team meetings, supervisor meetings and appraisal meetings.
  • To attend training courses as required and to take responsibility for your development.
  • To ensure that adequate records are kept and updated regularly.

Why Hungry Caterpillars?

  • £500 New Starter Bonus (paid in two instalments)
  • 50% off childcare fees from day one
  • Company Pension
  • Bupa Health Care Package
  • Referral Bonuses
  • Access to Continuous Training & Development
  • Extra day annual leave after probation completion

About Our Nursery:

Nestled in the heart of Chalfont St Peter, our newly renovated nursery offers a warm, inspiring environment where children can thrive. Thoughtfully designed with beautiful rooms, exceptional resources, and exciting outdoor gardens, our setting sparks curiosity and joy - ensuring every child is confident, happy, and fully prepared for the journey ahead.

Capacity: 70 children (ages 3 months to 4 years)

Baby Room (0-2 years, 18 places)

Toddler Room (2-3 years x 24 places)

Pre-school (3-4 years x 28 places)

Opening Hours: 7:30 am - 6:30 pm

What We’re Looking For:

  • Full & Relevant Early Years Level 2, 3 or above Qualification (essential)
  • Previous experience of working with children, ideally as an Early Years Educator, Nursery Practitioner, Nursery Assistant or Nursery Nurse
  • Great communication skills, a sense of humour, a passion for a play-based approach.

At Hungry Caterpillars, we invest in your future with opportunities for professional growth and career progression. If you’re ready to make a real difference in children’s lives and work in an inspiring environment, apply today!

Join our award-winning nursery group and start your next chapter with Hungry Caterpillars!

Early Years Practitioner employer: Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries

At Hungry Caterpillars, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values passion and dedication in early years education. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through continuous training and development opportunities, while our newly renovated nursery in Chalfont St Peter provides a vibrant and inspiring environment for both staff and children. With competitive salaries, a generous benefits package including a £500 new starter bonus and 50% off childcare fees, we are committed to ensuring our team feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact every day.
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Contact Detail:

Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries 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) curriculum. Understanding its principles and how they apply to your role will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to providing high-quality early years education.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your passion for child-led learning during any interactions with the hiring team. Share specific examples of activities you've created or participated in that encouraged children's curiosity and development, as this aligns perfectly with Hungry Caterpillars' ethos.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with current or former employees of Hungry Caterpillars if possible. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during your interview. Inquiring about their professional development opportunities or how they implement the EYFS curriculum shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.

We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Practitioner

Full & Relevant Early Years Qualification (Level 2 or 3)
Experience working with children in an early years setting
Strong communication skills
Ability to build positive relationships with children and parents
Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum
Creativity in planning engaging child-led activities
Teamwork and collaboration skills
Organisational skills for setting up and tidying play areas
Understanding of child development and individual needs
Patience and empathy
Sense of humour
Commitment to continuous professional development
Ability to maintain accurate records

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications, particularly your Early Years Level 2 or 3 qualification. Include relevant experience working with children and any specific skills that align with the job description.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for early years education. Mention why you want to work at Hungry Caterpillars and how your values align with their mission of creating a joyful learning environment.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise any previous roles you've had as an Early Years Educator or similar positions. Provide examples of how you've contributed to children's development and created engaging activities.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since great communication is essential for this role, include examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to build relationships with children, parents, and colleagues. This could be through teamwork or parent engagement initiatives.

How to prepare for a job interview at Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries

✨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 a nurturing environment at Hungry Caterpillars.

✨Familiarise Yourself with the EYFS Curriculum

Before the interview, brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement it in your daily activities and how it guides your planning and interactions with children.

✨Highlight Your Communication Skills

Effective communication is key in this role. Be ready to demonstrate how you build relationships with children, parents, and colleagues. Share examples of how you've successfully communicated in previous roles.

✨Prepare Questions About Professional Development

Hungry Caterpillars values growth and training. Prepare thoughtful questions about their professional development opportunities and how they support staff in advancing their careers. This shows your commitment to continuous learning.

Early Years Practitioner
Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries
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