Nursery Practitioner / Early Years Educator in Peterborough

Salary: £24,811 - £26,411 per annum

Contractual hours: 37

Region: East

Date posted: 30/07/2026

Job reference: REQ000697

Location: The College Nursery, Peterborough College

Closing Date: 14th August 2026

Nurture young minds and shape bright futures - deliver exceptional care and inspiring early education to empower our littlest learners every single day! In this busy and exciting role, you will work as an integral part of our dynamic nursery team to deliver outstanding physical, emotional, social, and intellectual care for children aged 0–5. You will be responsible for creating a safe, stimulating environment under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, guiding day-to-day room routines, and supporting children's growing independence. As a dedicated key person, you’ll build meaningful relationships with children and their families, ensuring each child's individual progress is observed, assessed, and celebrated.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work as part of a team to provide a high standard of quality care and education.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date individual records and support children's independence through care routines.
• Implement daily room routines, including setting out, clearing away activities, and preparing meals/snacks.
• Act as a key person for a designated group of children, conducting observations, assessments, and activity planning.
• Complete initial parent work for new starters and host parent consultations three times a year.
• Collaborate with external agencies to promote the best outcomes for every child.
• Provide clear direction to nursery assistants and deputise for the Room Leader when required.
• Administer basic first aid in line with agreed nursery procedures.
• Ensure strict adherence to EYFS guidelines, health and safety, safeguarding, and college policies.
• Attend regular room and team meetings to continuously support nursery development.

What we're looking for:

You will be an enthusiastic, highly motivated, and caring practitioner holding a minimum of a Level 3 Childcare qualification alongside Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths. With solid experience working across the 0–5 age range, you possess an in-depth understanding of EYFS, child development, safeguarding practices, and the key worker system. You bring excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, a collaborative team spirit, and the ability to build strong, trusting relationships with children, parents, and colleagues alike. If you are passionate about early years education and ready to bring energy, dedication, and warmth to our nursery, we would love to hear from you!

Why work for IEG?

• Generous Leave: 30 days of annual leave, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas close down. (Pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Competitive Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), including life assurance and death-in-service benefits
• Health and Wellbeing: Benefit from a gym, free on-site parking, access to employee assistance programme and a friendly team atmosphere
• Professional Development: Ongoing training and development opportunities, including sponsorship for HE/professional qualifications
• Employee Benefits and Rewards: Vivup employee benefits, including lifestyle savings, eligibility to apply for a Blue Light Card, providing access to a wide range of national discounts

IEG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and any vulnerable groups within the college community and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough vetting process which includes an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Candidates are reminded that if they are barred from working with Children it is a criminal offence to apply for this position.