Early Years Practitioner in Watford

An exciting new chapter is about to begin, and we are looking for exceptional Early Years Practitioners to help us write it. Little Habs is our brand new nursery, opening in September 2026, set within the beautiful, expansive grounds of Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools. Surrounded by green space and woodland, Little Habs will offer a nurturing, non-selective and high-quality early years environment for children aged 6 months to 4 years, open from 07:30 to 18:00.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a nursery from its very beginning – to influence its culture, environment and daily practice, and to create an inspiring space where our youngest learners can flourish. Little Habs will combine warmth, expertise and ambition. Our provision will include:

• Outdoor learning and Forest School-inspired experiences
• A STEAM-enriched curriculum fostering curiosity and creativity
• Highly trained staff with a deep understanding of early childhood development
• A strong focus on wellbeing, secure relationships and school-readiness

Our nursery will be organised into three thoughtfully designed spaces:

• Hablings (6 months – 2 years): A calm, cosy, home-from-home environment focused on secure attachments, sensory exploration and early development.
• Dashers (2 – 3 years): A nurturing, curiosity-led space where toddlers develop independence, language and early problem-solving skills.
• Nursery (3 – 4 years): A vibrant pre-school setting supporting school-readiness through storytelling, imaginative play, STEAM learning and rich outdoor experiences.

The Role: As an Early Years Practitioner, you will play a key role in delivering exceptional care and education. You will help create a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, confident and excited to learn.

You will:

• Provide high-quality care and education in line with the EYFS
• Create a warm, nurturing environment that supports children’s wellbeing and development
• Plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate activities that inspire learning and curiosity
• Support children’s personal, social and emotional development, promoting independence and confidence
• Observe, assess and record children’s progress, contributing to learning journeys and next steps
• Act as a key person, building strong and trusting relationships with children and their families
• Support daily care routines in a respectful, child-centred way
• Help maintain a safe, clean and stimulating environment

As part of a brand new nursery, you will also:

• Play an active role in setting up and embedding routines, systems and practices
• Bring ideas and contribute to shaping the nursery environment and provision
• Show flexibility and initiative, responding positively to the evolving needs of a new setting
• Work collaboratively as part of a growing team

This is a role for someone who enjoys being hands-on, takes pride in their work, and wants to be part of building something exceptional from the ground up.

The Person: We are looking for passionate and committed practitioners who:

• Hold a full and relevant Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification
• Have experience working with children aged 0–5
• Have a strong understanding of the EYFS
• Demonstrate a proactive, flexible approach and confidence to use initiative
• Are strong communicators and team players
• Bring warmth, positivity and a genuine love of working with young children
• Are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Have experience of working in a new or growing nursery, supporting a range of age groups (including under 2s)

Above all, we are looking for individuals who will embrace the opportunity to “roll their sleeves up” and contribute fully to nursery life.

Little Habs will benefit from:

• A stunning campus environment with extensive outdoor space
• A culture of high performance, support and professional growth
• The opportunity to shape a brand new nursery from inception
• A strong commitment to safeguarding, equality and wellbeing
• Close collaboration with the wider Haberdashers’ community

This is more than a role. It is an opportunity to help establish a flagship early years provision and to make a lasting impact at the very start of children’s educational journeys. If you are passionate about early years, excited by outdoor and enquiry-led learning, and inspired by the chance to build something new, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy sooner, so please apply as soon as possible. Little Habs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Nursery is therefore permitted to ask applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are “spent”, unless protected under DBS filtering rules) in order to assess suitability to work with children.