At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team while delivering high-quality early years education.
- Company: Acorn Early Years, a nurturing and inclusive nursery in Emberton.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, childcare discounts, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with clear pathways for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career in early years education.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and leadership experience in an early years setting.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Acorn Early Years is seeking an experienced, confident and passionate Senior Practitioner to join the leadership team at Emberton Nursery. This role is ideal for an early years professional who is ready to take on additional responsibility, support staff development and help drive high-quality practice across the nursery while remaining hands-on with children.
About the Role
Working closely with the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, the Senior Practitioner plays a key role in supporting the smooth day-to-day running of the nursery. You will lead by example, support and mentor colleagues, and ensure the delivery of a high-quality, inclusive EYFS curriculum that meets the needs of every child. You will also take responsibility for your designated room or area and may act as Third in Charge when required.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Management
- Support the Nursery Manager and Deputy in the effective running of the nursery
- Lead the nursery or your designated area in the absence of senior leaders, when required
- Be accountable for your room and staff team
- Effectively deploy staff to meet the needs of the nursery and children
- Support staff inductions, mentoring, supervision and professional development
- Role model outstanding early years practice and professional behaviour
- Address performance concerns in line with Acorn procedures
- Quality of Practice & Curriculum
- Deliver and support a high-quality, child-centred curriculum in line with the EYFS
- Promote planning in the moment and high-quality interactions
- Oversee observations, assessments and next steps to ensure children make strong progress
- Monitor outcomes for children to ensure they reach their full potential
- Promote children’s independence, wellbeing and physical development
- Embed a strong and consistent key person approach
- Safeguarding, Compliance & Partnerships
- Safeguard all children and act appropriately on safeguarding and welfare concerns
- Ensure the nursery remains compliant with statutory requirements, Ofsted expectations and Acorn policies
- Ensure documentation is accurate, complete and up to date (care plans, medicine forms, transitions, two-year checks, etc.)
- Build positive, professional relationships with parents and carers
- Liaise confidently with external professionals and agencies
- Act as a professional ambassador for Acorn Early Years
What We’re Looking For
- Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above)
- Strong working knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements
- Experience in a senior or leadership role within an early years setting
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Confidence in mentoring, supporting and developing others
- A calm, professional and positive approach to leadership
- A genuine passion for delivering high-quality early years education
Why Join Acorn Early Years?
At Acorn, we are committed to creating nurturing, inclusive environments where children and staff thrive. We actively support professional development and offer clear pathways for career progression within our nurseries. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process.
Safeguarding & Compliance
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
Benefits
- Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
- 65% Childcare discount - Pro rata depending on 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 for when times are tough
- Employee assistance wellbeing programme
Senior Early Years Practitioner in Emberton employer: Escrick Preschool
Acorn Early Years is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where both children and staff can thrive. Located in the charming village of Emberton, our nursery offers competitive pay, generous benefits including a childcare discount and extensive professional development opportunities, ensuring that our team members are supported in their growth and career progression. Join us to be part of a passionate leadership team that values high-quality early years education and promotes a positive work culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Early Years Practitioner in Emberton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take a stroll around Emberton Nursery if you can. Familiarising yourself with the environment and the outdoor learning centre will help you feel more confident and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've supported staff development or led a team in your previous roles. We want to see that you can inspire others and drive high-quality practice.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you would handle performance concerns or ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements. We love candidates who can think on their feet and demonstrate their problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals like you to join our team at Acorn Early Years!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Early Years Practitioner in Emberton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for early years education shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for nurturing and developing young minds, so share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior EYP role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant qualifications, especially your Level 3 Early Years qualification. We love seeing how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your experience and skills.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Acorn Early Years and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Escrick Preschool
✨Know Your EYFS Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Be ready to discuss how you would implement it in a hands-on way, as well as how you can support staff in delivering high-quality, child-centred learning.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or mentored colleagues in the past. Highlight your ability to address performance concerns and foster a positive environment, as this role requires strong leadership and management skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Early Years Education
Be ready to share why you’re passionate about early years education. Talk about your experiences working with children and how you promote their independence and wellbeing. This will show that you genuinely care about the role and the children’s development.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about their approach to staff development or how they ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements. It shows you're engaged and serious about the position.
