At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and teach young children in a nurturing nursery environment.
- Company: Join a passionate team at a vibrant school nursery.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development, coaching, and enhanced benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years Qualification and a passion for education.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive team with excellent growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 £ per year.
We seek an Early Years Practitioner in the Nursery setting, bringing expertise and experience working with young children to provide excellent support and teaching to our pupils. We want to invest in a member of staff for the long term, and support in their development and impact as they work within our new nursery provision.
We have a great team in Early Years and are looking for an Early Years Practitioner who is passionate about helping children love learning and playing in a warm and inclusive environment. We are proud of our woodland garden and are building a Forest School provision.
We hire on values. This means that our teams are made up of like-minded people who share real passion for our mission. We are an inclusive team and we are actively seeking to enhance the diversity of our team. We welcome team members from all backgrounds. We look after our staff with enhanced benefits and ongoing professional and personal development.
Our ideal candidate will have:
- Experience of teaching effectively in an EYFS setting
- Experience of working with vulnerable children desirable but not essential
- Experience of working effectively in a high-quality nursery setting, ideally including 2 year old provision
- A full and relevant Early Years Qualification, Level 3 or above
- Excellent initiative, problem solving and organisational skills
- A genuine passion for education and making a difference to the lives of children
The deadline is on Monday 16th February 2026. Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. Early application is advised.
To discuss the role, please feel free to email the Principal’s PA, Abigail Saleh, at a.saleh@kingsolomonacademy.org or phone on 0207 563 6901.
We believe in aiming high, working together, being kind and leading the way. Through weekly individual coaching, year group intellectual preparation time and whole school PD, we invest in your growth and development as a teacher to ensure you can excel in creating the best possible climate for learning for our pupils to thrive in.
Through our approach to professional development we can promise a successful candidate a positive and rewarding journey of growth. Through shared weekly and long-term planning, a large number of training days and access to the resources and opportunities in the Ark network, we are able to support our teachers to thrive.
We are a genuine all-through school, with our pupils staying with us from nursery to sixth form across two sites, ten minutes-walk apart. Because of this, we have a unique opportunity to have a long term and dramatic impact on our pupils’ lives. This all starts in our primary school, where our pupils develop, and grow a love of learning.
We have a strong track-record as a school in making a significant impact on our pupils’ lives. We adopt a mastery approach in primary, meaning that our pupils have more time and explicit teaching of the skills and concepts that underpin long term success in academics, enriched by a varied and cultural capital enhancing curriculum which inspires and engages our pupils.
Our specialist teaching model allows pupils to benefit from expert teaching in PE, music, art, humanities and science and means all staff have time to plan each subject properly.
In September 2019 we merged with Ark Paddington Green Academy and combined to form one all-through King Solomon Academy with Nursery-Year 4 on our Younger Years Site (Crompton Street) and Year 5 - Year 13 on the Older Years Site (Penfold Street). In May 2021, we opened a purpose-built nursery for 2-4 year olds. Our Younger Years Site has generous outdoor space, including a beautiful global food garden and a woodland garden where we run Forest School in EYFS and KS1.
Diversity and inclusion: We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.
Safeguarding statement: Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.
Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.
Early Years Practitioner employer: Ark Schools
Contact Detail:
Ark Schools Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery's vibe! Visit the school if you can, or check out their website and social media. Understanding their values and environment will help you connect during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. They can give you insider info and maybe even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how your experiences align with their mission. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've made a difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our awesome team!
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for early years education shine through! Share specific examples of how you've helped children love learning and playing in a nurturing environment.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your experience in EYFS settings and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission and values!
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality! We’re looking for like-minded individuals who share our values. Be genuine about your experiences and what makes you a great fit for our team.
Apply Early: Remember, we review applications on an ongoing basis, so don’t wait until the deadline! Apply through our website as soon as you can to increase your chances of joining our fantastic team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ark Schools
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Be ready to discuss how you've applied it in your previous roles, especially in a nursery setting. This shows that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also implement it effectively.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for working with young children shine through. Share specific examples of how you've made learning fun and engaging for kids. This will resonate well with the interviewers who are looking for someone who genuinely cares about children's development.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since they value a collaborative environment, be prepared to talk about your experiences working in teams. Highlight how you’ve contributed to a positive team dynamic and supported your colleagues, especially in high-quality nursery settings.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about their nursery provision and Forest School approach. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if their values align with yours. It’s a great way to demonstrate that you’re serious about being part of their team.