At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant nursery room, creating engaging learning experiences for children.
- Company: Join the award-winning Finkley Nurseries, part of a fast-growing childcare group.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £1500 joining bonus, up to 6 weeks holiday, and 50% childcare discount.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with extensive training opportunities and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career in early years education.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare and a passion for supporting children's development.
The predicted salary is between 14.6 - 14.6 £ per hour.
Join the Finkley Nurseries Team as a Room Leader / Daily Lead!
Location: Salisbury
Hours: Full‑time 38 hours per week over 4 days
Salary: Up to £14.60 per hour Dependant on experience and qualification
About Us:
Finkley Nurseries is part of the Attraction Nurseries family — a fast‑growing childcare group delivering high‑quality early years education across the UK. At our Finkley Hudson’s Field Setting, we create nurturing, inspiring environments where children can explore, learn, and grow every single day.
The Benefits (The Stuff That Matters)
- £1500 Joining bonus – £750 after the first 3 months and £750 after 6 months
- Badge scheme – earn an additional +30p per hour, increase your hourly rate through wow moments, planning & checklists
- Up to 6 weeks holiday + birthday week
- Volunteer day – support a charity of your choice
- 50% childcare discount
- Wellbeing support (Health Assured + attendance rewards)
- 100+ training courses + SENCO
- £100 welcome bonus for resources
- Free uniform & DBS
- Referral bonuses up to £750
- Free family access to Finkley Down Farm & Solstice Play
The Role (What You’ll Actually Be Doing)
- Leading The Rooms
- Lead the day-to-day running of the room, ensuring everything is organised, engaging, and compliant
- Support the management team when needed
- Manage ratios, staff rotas, SEN time, and daily routines
- Create an inspiring, well‑resourced environment based on children’s interests
- Delivering Outstanding EYFS Practice
- Deliver engaging, hands‑on learning experiences in line with EYFS
- Lead planning, observations, and assessments using Famly
- Complete 2‑year checks and support SEND documentation
- Act as a key person, supporting children’s development and wellbeing
- Promote inclusive practice so every child can thrive
- Supporting & Developing Your Team
- Lead by example with energy, professionalism, and positivity
- Mentor and support team members, apprentices, and new starters
- Contribute to supervisions, appraisals, and training plans
- Ensure clear communication of daily plans and expectations
- Keeping Everyone Safe
- Maintain high standards of health, safety, hygiene, and organisation
- Carry out risk assessments and ensure environments are safe and secure
- Follow safeguarding procedures
- Understand and respond to emergency procedures
- Working with Parents & Professionals
- Build strong, trusting relationships with families
- Support settling‑in processes and ongoing communication
- Work with external professionals to support children’s needs
- Living Our Values
- Champion our ethos: Happy Children. Happy Parents. Happy Staff.
- Promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive team culture
- Support nursery events, marketing, and parent engagement
- Staying Organised
- Keep records, planning, and systems up to date
- Complete checklists, audits, and learning walks
- Manage daily tasks like registers and room organisation
Additional duties may be required to support the management team and nursery priorities. Flexibility, initiative, and a proactive approach are essential to success in this role.
Attraction Nurseries is an equal opportunities employer. All positions are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.
Nursery Third in Charge employer: Finkley Nurseries
Finkley Nurseries is an award-winning childcare provider that prioritises a nurturing and inspiring environment for both children and staff. With generous benefits such as a £1500 joining bonus, up to 6 weeks holiday, and extensive training opportunities, we foster a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth and well-being. Located in Salisbury, our team thrives on collaboration and inclusivity, making it an exceptional place for those passionate about early years education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Third in Charge
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Finkley Nurseries.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Finkley Nurseries.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Finkley Nurseries; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Third in Charge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Finkley Nurseries.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Nursery Third in Charge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Finkley Nurseries is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Finkley Nurseries a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Finkley Nurseries
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Finkley Nurseries might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
