At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children's learning and development during lunch hours in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join Childbase Partnership, a leading employee-owned childcare provider.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, childcare discounts, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a community-driven, environmentally responsible organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with young children; early years qualification is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 26700 - 32400 £ per year.
Join Childbase Partnership and be part of something extraordinary.
Location: Highbury Lodge Day Nursery | Hitchin | SG4 9RW.
Contract: Permanent | 20 hours/week | 52 weeks/year.
Working pattern: 10:00-14:00 Monday-Friday.
Salary: £12.87-£15.59 per hour.
We’ve been delivering childcare excellence since 1989. Within our 44-day nurseries, Head Office, and Training Academy, EduBase, our ethos is simple: we all belong, we all matter, and we all contribute. We believe in ‘careers, not jobs’, supporting one another to grow and succeed.
Why join us
- Generous annual leave: 23 days paid leave per annum (pro‑ratio), rising to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays.
- Work‑life balance: Up to a further 20 paid days off each year through our Partnership Reward Days incentive; take your leave or sell the days you accrue, tax‑free.
- Childcare discount: 75% discount (or 40% grandparent discount) on your fees at any Childbase nursery, from day one.
- Exclusive partner benefits: Long‑service rewards, qualification bonuses and retail discounts.
- Wellbeing support: Free meals, mental health and occupational health support, flu jabs, eye care vouchers and a free will‑writing service.
- Career development: Team inset days, access to online training and apprenticeships through our academy.
About us
- We are employee‑owned: Every colleague is a partner with a voice, who helps drive our success; when we do well, we each receive an annual tax‑free dividend.
- We are number 1: Ranked top of the Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes.
- We are community driven: Supporting causes close to our hearts, we’ve raised more than £3.5 million for charity.
- We are environmentally responsible: Building a greener tomorrow our nurseries all hold Green Flag awards and are powered by 100% renewable energy.
About you
- You are a naturally nurturing person: you have some experience of caring for babies and children aged five and under, ideally in an early years environment; holding a DfE approved early years qualification at level 2 or above is advantageous although not essential.
- You are passionate about inspiring children: Your knowledge of child development, and ideally your EYFS knowledge, will enable you to implement engaging activities planned by the Key Person to empower children to learn through play and exploration; you will contribute to observations for the children’s learning journeys.
- You are an advocate for safeguarding: You will ensure every child feels safe, valued, and happy and their well‑being is promoted.
- You are collaborative: you enjoy working in partnership with others, and can effectively communicate and build strong and positive relationships with children, parents and colleagues.
We are an inclusive employer and we welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds. We’re committed to FREDIE (fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement) and will consider any reasonable adjustments required.
Applicants must currently reside within a commutable distance of the nursery and hold suitable Right to Work in the UK; VISA sponsorship is not available. Safer recruitment checks apply, which include an Enhanced DBS check.
Nursery Practitioner (Lunch Cover) in Hitchin employer: Childbase Partnership Limited
Join Childbase Partnership, a leading childcare provider with a commitment to nurturing both children and employees alike. Our Highbury Lodge Day Nursery in Hitchin offers a supportive work culture where every team member is valued, with generous benefits including up to 28 days of annual leave, extensive wellbeing support, and career development opportunities through our Training Academy. As an employee-owned company, you will have a voice in our success and enjoy the rewards that come with it, making this an exceptional place to grow your career in early years education.
Contact Details:
Childbase Partnership Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Practitioner (Lunch Cover) in Hitchin
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take a stroll around Highbury Lodge Day Nursery if you can. Familiarising yourself with the environment will help you feel more confident and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for childcare! During your chat, share specific examples of how you've inspired children in the past. Whether it’s a fun activity or a moment of connection, let them see your nurturing side shine through.
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions that matter! When they give you the chance, ask about their approach to child development or how they support staff growth. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you want to be part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Practitioner (Lunch Cover) in Hitchin
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for working with children shine through. Share any relevant experiences you have and how they’ve shaped your desire to inspire and nurture young minds.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the Nursery Practitioner role. Highlight your understanding of child development and any experience you have in early years settings. We want to see how you can contribute to our ethos!
Be Yourself:Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is naturally nurturing and collaborative, so share your unique qualities that make you a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our amazing benefits!
How to prepare for a job interview at Childbase Partnership Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Familiarise yourself with the nursery's ethos and values, as well as any specific activities they might be running. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and ready to contribute.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for working with children shine through. Share personal experiences or anecdotes that highlight your nurturing nature and how you've inspired children in the past. This will help the interviewers see you as a great fit for their team.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Since the role involves working closely with others, be prepared to discuss how you build relationships with colleagues, parents, and children. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated in a team setting, as this will demonstrate your ability to work well within their community-driven environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about their approach to safeguarding, career development opportunities, or how they support staff wellbeing. This shows that you're not only interested in the position but also in being part of their inclusive culture.
