At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-quality care and support for children in a vibrant nursery environment.
- Company: Join The Sheffield College, a diverse institution transforming lives through learning.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for childcare and ability to work as part of a team.
The predicted salary is between 26570 - 26570 £ per year.
Salary: £26,570 per annum (this will be pro-rata'd for hours/weeks worked). 18hrs per week.
About Us: The Sheffield College is a further and higher education institution dedicated to providing academic, vocational, and professional qualifications to approximately 13,000 young people and adults annually. Our mission is to transform lives through learning, advocating for inclusivity and diversity at every stage.
About The Role: The Sheffield College is a large, vibrant and diverse further education college and we are proud of how the college contributes to transforming lives through learning by meeting local skills needs. Working for our subsidiary company, Sparks Managed Services, as a Nursery Practitioner you will provide a nursery facility within The Sheffield College providing a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for children placed in the setting. You will be required to work as part of a team to provide an enabling environment in which all individual children can play, develop and learn. You will contribute to a high-quality caring environment for children. This includes creating a warm, friendly and stimulating atmosphere in which the children can develop emotionally, socially and educationally through individual attention and group activities.
Main Responsibilities:
- To ensure the ethos, implementation and legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage is embedded within practice.
- Working alongside the manager and staff team to ensure that the setting’s philosophy is fulfilled.
- To take an interest in the children and their families, treating them as individuals and with respect.
- Ensuring the provision of a high-quality environment to meet the needs of individual children having an awareness of any disabilities, family cultures and medical histories.
- To advise manager/deputy of any concerns regarding children, parents, the safety of the environment, preserving confidentiality as necessary.
- To provide support for any children with special educational needs and liaise with senior members of staff to promote their welfare and development.
- To always ensure children and adults' safety, adhering to health and safety policies and procedures.
- Gain experience of undertaking and maintaining records as required by Ofsted Registration legislations.
- Undertake a Paediatric First Aid qualification and once qualified undertake duties within the Nursery approved code of practice.
- Ensure that all relevant work activities underpin the College’s commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
- Working with trainees and students on placements in the College Nursery, assisting, supporting and providing appropriate feedback to the Senior Nursery Worker.
- To record and report incidents in relation to allegations against staff members who have breached the Child Protection and safeguarding policies and legislations.
Cross College Responsibilities:
- You may be required to participate in cross-college teams and working groups on key projects.
- You may need to attend relevant internal committees and groups.
- You will act as a role model to colleagues, ensuring that the responsibilities of the post are carried out in line with the College’s FREDIE+ values and behaviours.
Student Related Responsibilities:
- Anyone who has regular contact with children and young people must ensure they are safe.
- You will work with the Safeguarding Team, ensuring concerns regarding students/apprentices are shared in a timely, accurate manner.
- You will be involved in supporting college open days, during the exam season student enrolment, and any other required events.
Other Responsibilities:
- All staff are responsible for ensuring the college provides a safe and sustainable environment for students, staff and visitors.
- You will support this by understanding and undertaking the specific responsibilities for your role as documented within the Health and Safety Policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with Data Protection Regulations.
- Ensure that environmental sustainability is a key consideration in the actions we take, working towards the college’s environmental strategy and net zero ambition.
If you want to find out more about the role please contact Abbey Hayes - Head of Nursery Services, Abbey.Hayes@sheffcol.ac.uk
What We Can Offer You: As the successful candidate, you will be offered a salary of between £26,570 per annum (this will be pro-rata'd for hours worked) based upon a combination of the skills, knowledge and experience that you can bring to the role.
Our Benefits:
- Enhanced Pension contributions scheme with NEST - 3%
- Annual leave - 30 Days (222 hours) + 8 Bank Holidays (59.2 hours) - this includes a discretionary Christmas closure period.
- Health and wellbeing, we offer Employee assistance programme through Bupa.
- Occupational Health through PAM.
- Free eye tests for VDU users.
- Free Parking is available at the majority of our campuses.
Disability Confident: We are a Disability Confident employer and are committed to removing barriers for applicants with a disability during our recruitment process, upon appointment and as an employee.
Armed Forces Covenant: As part of our commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant, we’re pledged to support the Armed Forces Community.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. Successful applicants will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to safer recruiting procedures.
Next Steps: To apply: Click apply online and follow the links to complete the online application. For queries regarding the application process, please contact the Recruitment Team at jobs@sheffcol.ac.uk - CVs are currently not accepted.
Closing date: 27th April 2026. Please be aware – If we have a high number of applications, we may decide to close the vacancy earlier.
Nursery Practitioner in Sheffield employer: onlyFE
As a leading educational institution in Sheffield, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of our staff. Our Nursery Practitioners enjoy flexible hours, competitive pay, and access to comprehensive benefits, including an enhanced pension scheme and health support programs, making it an ideal environment for those passionate about early childhood education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Practitioner in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery environment before your interview! Visit the college, chat with current staff, and observe how they interact with the children. This will give you a feel for the atmosphere and help you tailor your responses during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for early years education! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported children's development in previous roles. We love hearing about your hands-on experiences and how you’ve made a difference in their lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your teamwork skills! As a Nursery Practitioner, you'll be working closely with others. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to collaborate and support your colleagues in creating a nurturing environment for the kids.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at The Sheffield College. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Practitioner in Sheffield
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 providing a nurturing environment and supporting their development.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Nursery Practitioner role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with our mission at The Sheffield College.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This helps us understand your qualifications quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right place. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at onlyFE
✨Know Your Early Years Foundations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Familiarise yourself with its principles and how they apply to your role as a Nursery Practitioner. This will show that you understand the legal requirements and can implement them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Caring Nature
During the interview, be ready to share examples of how you've created a warm and stimulating environment for children in previous roles. Highlight your ability to treat each child as an individual and how you’ve supported their emotional and social development.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think about past experiences where you’ve had to address concerns regarding children's safety or wellbeing, and be prepared to discuss how you managed those situations.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
As a Nursery Practitioner, teamwork is crucial. Be prepared to talk about your experience working collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and other professionals. Share specific instances where you contributed to a team effort to enhance the nursery environment or support children’s learning.
