At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children during lunchtime, encouraging good habits and creating a positive environment.
- Company: Join the vibrant Avon Valley Nursery team dedicated to nurturing children's growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 34 days holiday, flexible hours, and a £100 joining bonus.
- Other info: Dynamic team with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while having fun and building connections.
- Qualifications: Passion for childcare and ability to support children's needs.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 13 £ per hour.
Join the Avon Valley Nursery Team as a Lunchtime Assistant!
Location: Keynsham
Hours: Full-Time 10:30am-2:30pm (slightly flexible if needed) total 20 hours over 5 days
Pay: £12.71 per hour
At Avon Valley Nursery, we believe in creating a nurturing environment where children can embark on exciting adventures every day. Our ethos - Happy Children. Happy Parents. Happy Staff. - is at the heart of everything we do. With our unique settings, we offer unparalleled experiences for both children and staff.
Why Join Avon Valley Nursery?
- Generous Holidays – Up to 34 days, plus your birthday off
- Flexible Working – Choose 4 or 5 days with a set day off
- Career Growth – 100+ online courses, SENCO/Forest School training, and management pathways
- Childcare Savings – 50% discount for your children
- Wellbeing Support – Health Assured benefits, attendance bonuses, and more
- Extra Perks – £100 joining bonus for resources, free uniform & DBS, referral rewards up to £750, and free family entry to Finkley Down Farm & Solstice Play
What You’ll Be Up To
- Spark Curiosity – Create magical, hands‑on learning adventures guided by the EYFS
- Be Their Hero – Become a key person, championing children’s growth, happiness, and wellbeing
- Click, Tap, Done! – Keep records ship‑shape using our nifty online tools (Famly, Portal)
- Celebrate Every Child – Champion inclusivity and support children with SEND to shine
- Team Vibes Only – Work side‑by‑side with colleagues to keep the energy positive and proactive
- Family First – Build warm, lasting connections with parents and professionals alike
- Join the Fun – Dive into nursery events, outings, and community adventures
What We’re Looking For
Lunchtime Supervision:
- Sit with children during meals to model and encourage good eating habits and table manners
- Provide reassurance and support to children, helping them feel comfortable and engaged during mealtimes
- Encourage children to try a variety of foods, respecting individual dietary needs and allergies
- Ensure children with allergies are seated at a designated allergen‑aware table, using clearly marked place cards, colour‑coded crockery, and following the nursery’s allergy policy at all times
- Support bottle feeding or weaning as needed under practitioner guidance
- Maintain calm, positive, and age‑appropriate conversations with children during lunch
- Ensure safe transitions between lunchtime and the next activity (e.g. play, sleep, outdoor time)
Childcare and EYFS Curriculum:
- Implement and monitor an effective educational framework that reflects the EYFS, ensuring all children access rich, varied, and purposeful learning experiences.
- Take lead responsibility for the planning, observation, assessment, and tracking of children’s development using the nursery management system, including 2‑year checks and SEND documentation.
- Act as a key person for a designated group of children, promoting strong relationships and personalised learning.
- Promote inclusive practice and ensure children’s individual needs are met through timely interventions and adaptations.
Childcare Support:
- Deliver safe, meaningful activities while practitioners are on their lunch break
- Provide comfort and supervision to children needing extra support during transitions or settling
- Encourage independent skills such as hand washing, self‑feeding, and putting on coats/shoes
- Work closely with key workers to ensure consistency and emotional support for children
- Monitor and record any concerns and pass these on to the designated staff member or manager
Health, Hygiene & Safety:
- Support children with personal care routines before and after meals (toileting, handwashing)
- Help ensure a clean and safe environment in dining and play areas
- Report accidents, incidents, or safeguarding concerns immediately to the designated lead
- Adhere to all nursery health and safety procedures including allergy awareness and infection control
- Ensure confidentiality is fully maintained at all times
Staff & Development:
- Work collaboratively with all staff and support a positive team environment
- Take part in meetings and training as required
- Be open to feedback and development opportunities
- Follow and model the nursery’s policies, values, and ethos at all times
Ready to Embark on a New Adventure?
If you’re enthusiastic about making a difference in children’s lives and want to be part of a supportive and dynamic team, we’d love to hear from you! Apply Now to join the Attraction Nurseries family and start your next adventure in early years education. Attraction Nurseries is an equal opportunities employer. All positions are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.
Lunchtime Assistant employer: Finkley Nurseries
At Avon Valley Nursery, we pride ourselves on fostering a nurturing and vibrant work environment where our staff can thrive alongside the children they support. With generous holiday allowances, flexible working options, and extensive career growth opportunities through over 100 online courses, we ensure that our team feels valued and empowered. Located in Keynsham, our unique setting not only offers a rewarding experience for those passionate about early years education but also provides additional perks such as childcare savings and wellbeing support, making it an exceptional place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lunchtime Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery's ethos and values before your interview. We want to see how you can fit into our Happy Children, Happy Parents, Happy Staff philosophy. Show us your passion for creating a nurturing environment!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses to common interview questions related to childcare and supervision. Think about how you would handle specific situations with children during mealtimes. We love seeing candidates who are prepared and confident!
✨Tip Number 3
Bring along some ideas for fun, engaging activities you could implement during lunchtime. We’re all about creativity and making mealtimes enjoyable, so show us what you’ve got!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to highlight any relevant experience or training you have, especially in early years education. If you’ve done any courses or workshops, let us know! And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed.
We think you need these skills to ace Lunchtime Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through! We want to see how much you care about creating a nurturing environment and making a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the Lunchtime Assistant role. Highlight any relevant experience you have with children, especially in a nursery or educational setting.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Avon Valley Nursery.
How to prepare for a job interview at Finkley Nurseries
✨Know the Nursery's Ethos
Before your interview, take some time to understand Avon Valley Nursery's ethos of 'Happy Children. Happy Parents. Happy Staff.' This will help you align your answers with their values and show that you're genuinely interested in creating a nurturing environment.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Think about how you would handle specific situations during lunchtime, such as encouraging children to try new foods or managing allergies. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to support children's wellbeing and learning.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since teamwork is crucial in this role, be prepared to discuss how you work collaboratively with others. Share examples of how you've contributed to a positive team environment in previous jobs or volunteer experiences, highlighting your communication skills and adaptability.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the nursery's approach to inclusivity or how they support staff development. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
