At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team while providing outstanding care and education for children.
- Company: Acorn Early Years – Kents Hill, a nurturing and innovative nursery.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, childcare discounts, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with strong support for career growth and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Step into leadership and make a real difference in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Early Years and practical experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Acorn Early Years at Kents Hill is seeking a passionate and motivated Early Years Lead Practitioner to support high-quality practice and develop leadership skills within our setting. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys being a positive role model, supporting colleagues, and working closely with senior staff while continuing to provide outstanding care and education for children.
About Acorn Early Years – Kents Hill
Our nursery building at Kents Hill has been designed in an innovative octagonal shape with a central atrium and light and spacious rooms. The nursery benefits from large garden areas which can be accessed from each of the rooms; this gives the children the opportunity to free-flow indoors and outdoors to access a full range of activities. The nursery has pet chickens who roam freely in part of the garden throughout the day, enabling the children to collect eggs and then take turns to take eggs home. The Nursery is currently being expanded with custom buildings which will enable us to offer a further 20 places. We offer full and part-time care for up to 60 children from the age of four months to four years, and are open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round.
About the Role
The role will be 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday working between 0730 and 18.15. The Early Years Lead Practitioner role is a stepping stone into senior leadership. You will work in partnership with the Senior and Deputy within your room, contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of the provision and leading the room in their absence when required. You will play a key role in nurturing staff development, embedding Acorn’s ethos, and ensuring children thrive in a safe, stimulating, and inspiring learning environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver a holistic, child-centred curriculum in line with the EYFS and statutory guidance
- Ensure children’s emotional wellbeing, safety, and care needs are consistently met
- Act as a positive role model, embedding Acorn’s values, policies, and procedures
- Support and nurture colleagues, particularly apprentices, students, and volunteers
- Lead the room in the absence of the Senior or Deputy
- Promote high-quality interactions and positive behaviour strategies
- Support planning in the moment, observations, assessments, and next steps
- Create rich, engaging learning environments that promote curiosity, independence, and critical thinking
- Build strong professional partnerships with parents/carers and external professionals
- Uphold safeguarding responsibilities and stay up to date with guidance and legislation
- Complete and oversee relevant child documentation and paperwork
About You
- Hold a Level 3 qualification in Early Years (or equivalent)
- Have strong practical experience in an early years setting
- Be beginning to demonstrate leadership skills and potential
- Have taken on, or be keen to take on, additional responsibilities (e.g. mentoring, health & safety)
- Be reflective, confident, and committed to professional development
- Share Acorn’s values and passion for delivering high-quality early years provision
Why Join Acorn Early Years?
- Clear career progression and leadership development opportunities
- Ongoing support and mentoring from an experienced senior team
- A values-led, inclusive, and supportive working environment
- Strong focus on quality, wellbeing, and staff development
Safeguarding & Inclusion
At Acorn Early Years, we are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process are fully supported. All applicants must:
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Provide two satisfactory references
- Undergo an Enhanced DBS check
Benefits
As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:
- Pay scales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
- 65% Childcare discount - Pro Rata according to contracted hours
- Generous family leave
- Christmas closure
- 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
- 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Cyclescheme
- Techscheme
- Length of Service awards
- Summer and Christmas parties
- Pay advances
- Employee assistance wellbeing programme
Lead Practitioner in Milton Keynes employer: Acorn Early Years Foundation
Acorn Early Years Foundation is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment at Hedgerows Nursery in Milton Keynes. With competitive pay, generous annual leave, and substantial childcare discounts, we prioritise employee well-being and professional growth, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about child development to thrive as part of a dedicated team.
Contact Details:
Acorn Early Years Foundation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Practitioner in Milton Keynes
✨Join Medical Networks
Get involved in local and national medical associations, like the Royal College of Physicians. These networks can help you connect with mentors and colleagues who might know of openings, plus they're great for staying updated on the latest in medicine and clinical practices.
✨Attend Healthcare Conferences
Make it a habit to attend medical conferences and seminars. These events are fantastic for networking and often feature job boards where hospitals and clinics post their openings. Plus, it’s a good way to get your face recognised in the industry.
✨Leverage Your Medical School's Resources
Don’t forget to use your medical school’s career services! They usually have great connections with hospitals and clinics looking to fill full-time physician positions and can help you with mock interviews or networking events.
✨Apply Directly Through Hospital Websites
When you're ready to apply, make sure to check the careers section of hospital websites directly. Hospitals like Acorn Early Years Foundation often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Practitioner in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Credentials:When applying for a physician role, make sure to highlight your medical qualifications and any special certifications you have. We want to see your medical degree, residency training, and any additional certifications that set you apart, like specialised training in paediatrics or geriatrics. Don’t leave out those all-important letters after your name!
Tailor Your CV to Medicine:Your CV should reflect your experience and skills as a doctor. Be specific about your clinical rotations, medical practice, and any research work you've done – we love seeing quantifiable impacts, so mention how you've improved patient care or led successful treatment plans.
Craft a Personal Statement with Heart:In your cover letter, let us know why you chose medicine and what drives your passion for patient care. Personal stories about transformative experiences—like a memorable patient encounter or a moment that defined your career path—can really make you shine. Remember, we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their patients!
Demonstrate Continuous Learning:In the medical field, showcasing your commitment to continuous learning is essential. Mention any recent courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended, and highlight your willingness to stay updated on medical advancements. This shows us that you’re not just a physician; you're a lifelong learner, ready to adapt and grow.
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn Early Years Foundation
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Acorn Early Years Foundation. Expect questions about diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. Be ready to discuss case studies or even do some role-playing with hypothetical patient scenarios for a more practical assessment.
✨Know Your Procedures and Protocols
Familiarise yourself with the latest procedures and protocols that are specific to the field of medicine you’re applying to. Whether it’s surgical techniques or patient care protocols, being able to discuss these confidently can really set you apart in the interview at Acorn Early Years Foundation.
✨Show You're a Team Player
In the medical field, collaboration is key. Have examples ready that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Talk about how you've worked with nurses, specialists, or other doctors in the past to provide the best care for your patients. This shows you're ready to integrate into the team at Acorn Early Years Foundation.
✨Stay Current with Medical Trends
Make sure you’re clued up on the latest medical trends, research, and innovations. Not only does this prepare you for technical questions, but it also shows your passion for the field. Be ready to discuss how these trends might affect your practice at Acorn Early Years Foundation.
