At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children during mealtimes and create a positive environment.
- Company: Join Finkley Down Farm Nursery, part of a growing childcare group.
- Benefits: Earn extra pay, enjoy generous leave, and receive 50% childcare discount.
- Other info: Ideal stepping stone for a career in childcare with excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying perfect hours.
- Qualifications: Friendly, reliable, and great with children; experience is a bonus.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 13 £ per hour.
About Us
Finkley Down Farm Nursery and Preschool is part of the Attraction Nurseries family – a growing childcare group delivering high‑quality early years education across the UK. At our Finkley Down Farm setting we create a nurturing, engaging environment where children can explore, learn and grow every single day. We help children have the best possible start in life by supporting families and creating meaningful experiences.
Benefits
- In House Qualification Scheme – earn an additional 30p per hour and increase your hourly rate through WOW moments, planning and checklists
- Up to generous holiday and birthday leave
- Volunteer day – support a charity of your choice
- 50% childcare discount
- Wellbeing support (Health Assured and attendance rewards)
- 100+ training courses plus SENCO
- Free uniform and DBS
- Referral bonuses up to £750
- Free family access to Finkley Down Farm and Solstice Play
The Role
We’re looking for a friendly, caring Lunchtime Assistant to support our team during mealtimes and transitions.
Lunchtime Supervision
- Supporting children during meals and encouraging good table manners
- Creating a calm, positive, and engaging mealtime environment
- Helping children feel comfortable and confident during lunch
- Supporting children with allergies safely and correctly
- Assisting with feeding, weaning, or bottles where needed
- Ensuring smooth transitions between lunch and the next activity
Childcare Support
- Delivering safe, meaningful activities while practitioners are on breaks
- Supporting children with routines and transitions
- Encouraging independence (handwashing, self‑feeding, dressing)
- Providing comfort and reassurance where needed
- Sharing any concerns with the team
Health, Hygiene & Safety
- Supporting personal care routines before and after meals
- Keeping environments clean, safe, and organised
- Following all health & safety and allergy procedures
- Reporting any accidents, incidents, or safeguarding concerns
- Maintaining confidentiality at all times
Team & Development
- Working collaboratively with the team
- Supporting a positive, energetic environment
- Attending training and meetings where required
- Following and promoting nursery values and standards
Why This Role Is Awesome
- Perfect hours – ideal for work‑life balance
- Meaningful work – make a real difference every day
- Supportive team – friendly, welcoming environment
- Great stepping stone – ideal if you want to grow into childcare
The Perfect Candidate
- Warm, friendly, and approachable
- Great with children and enjoy supporting their development
- Reliable and happy to get stuck in
- Calm and positive in a busy environment
- A team player with a great attitude
Bonus if you:
- Have experience working with children (not essential!)
- Are interested in progressing into a childcare role
What Your Day Might Look Like
- 10:30am – Arrive, settle in, prep for lunchtime
- 11:30am – Support children during meals
- 12:00pm – Encourage conversation and independence
- 12:30pm – Support transitions (toileting, handwashing, rest/play)
- 1:00pm – Supervise play or quiet activities
- 2:00pm – Support team handover and tidy up
- 2:30pm – Head home
Details
- Location: Andover – Finkley Down Farm
- Hours: 10:30am – 2:30pm, Monday – Friday (20 hours per week)
- Salary: Up to £13.01 per hour
Nursery Lunchtime Assistant in Andover employer: Finkley Nurseries
Contact Detail:
Finkley Nurseries Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Lunchtime Assistant in Andover
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take a stroll around Finkley Down Farm if you can. Familiarising yourself with the environment will help you feel more confident and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you meet the team, let your warm and friendly nature shine through. They’re looking for someone who’s approachable and great with kids, so don’t be shy about sharing your experiences or why you love working with children.
✨Tip Number 3
Ask questions! This is your chance to find out more about the nursery's values and how they support their staff. It shows you’re engaged and keen to be part of their supportive team. Plus, it’ll help you decide if it’s the right fit for you!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to submit your application directly. Plus, it helps us keep track of all the amazing candidates like you who want to join our team at Finkley Down Farm.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Lunchtime Assistant in Andover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Childcare: When writing your application, let your love for working with children shine through. Share any experiences you've had, even if they're informal, that show how you connect with kids and support their development.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and requirements mentioned in the job description. Highlight your ability to create a calm and positive environment during mealtimes, as this is key for us at Finkley Down Farm.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you'd be a great fit for the Lunchtime Assistant role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you can ensure your application reaches us quickly and you can easily keep track of your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Finkley Nurseries
✨Know the Nursery's Values
Before your interview, take some time to understand Finkley Down Farm Nursery's mission and values. This will help you align your answers with what they stand for, showing that you're genuinely interested in their approach to early years education.
✨Show Your Passion for Childcare
During the interview, express your enthusiasm for working with children. Share any relevant experiences, even if they're informal, and highlight why you enjoy supporting children's development. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific situations, like managing mealtime behaviour or supporting a child with allergies. Think of examples from your past experiences or hypothetical scenarios to showcase your problem-solving skills and calmness under pressure.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready to ask the interviewer. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they support staff wellbeing. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.