At a Glance
- Tasks: Support HR and payroll activities while enhancing workplace culture and employee experience.
- Company: Join a nurturing farm-based day nursery group focused on kindness and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% off childcare, free lunches, and a range of wellbeing perks.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and fun team outings.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on HR experience and make a real difference in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Passion for HR, studying towards a CIPD qualification or HR degree preferred.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
- Part time, Permanent contract. 16hrs (2 x days) per week. Either Wed/Thurs, or Thurs/Fri
- Role will be based onsite at our Willows Farm Day Nursery (AL4 0PF)
We are a privately owned group of farm-based day nurseries, providing children with unique opportunities to learn through nature, animals and outdoor experiences every day.
Our settings are built around creating exceptional experiences for children, families and, just as importantly, our team.
Our culture is built on kindness, support, collaboration and respect.
We believe that when our people feel valued, listened to and supported, they are empowered to do their very best work.
We’re passionate about developing our teams, recognising success, promoting wellbeing and creating opportunities for people to grow.
We don’t see HR as simply policies and paperwork—we see it as creating a workplace where people genuinely love coming to work.
We’re now looking for a Culture & HR Support professional to join our People & Wellbeing Team.
Working directly alongside our Director of People & Wellbeing, this is an exciting opportunity for someone studying HR or looking to build a career in People Management to gain invaluable hands‑on experience across every aspect of HR.
This is far more than an administration role—you’ll play an important part in supporting our people, strengthening our culture and helping our nurseries continue to thrive.
About the Role
You’ll support the Director of People & Wellbeing across a wide range of HR and payroll activities, helping ensure our people receive the very best support throughout their employment journey.
Your responsibilities will include
- Providing day‑to‑day administrative support to the People & Wellbeing function.
- Assisting with the monthly payroll process, including collating payroll information and ensuring data is accurate.
- Supporting the administration of employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives.
- Preparing contracts, letters, HR documentation and employee correspondence.
- Maintaining accurate employee records and HR systems.
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding and pre‑employment compliance.
- Assisting managers with HR administration and people‑related queries.
- Helping ensure compliance with employment legislation and company policies.
- Carrying out HR compliance audits across our nursery settings.
- Supporting absence management administration and reporting.
- Producing HR reports and analysing people data.
- Assisting with employee engagement, recognition and culture initiatives.
- Supporting a variety of exciting HR projects across the business.
- Providing excellent confidential administrative support across all areas of HR.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about people and wants to develop a career in Human Resources.
You’ll ideally be
- Studying towards a CIPD qualification or a degree in Human Resources (or recently qualified).
- Passionate about creating positive workplace cultures.
- Organised with exceptional attention to detail.
- A confident communicator with excellent written and verbal skills.
- Professional, approachable and trustworthy.
- Able to manage confidential information with discretion.
- Comfortable prioritising multiple tasks and working independently.
- Keen to learn, develop and take on new challenges.
- Although not essential, we’d love to hear from candidates with experience or knowledge of:
- HR administration.
- Payroll processes.
- Employee benefits administration.
- HR systems.
- Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
Full training will be provided on our payroll systems and internal processes.
What You’ll Gain
This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical HR experience across the full employee lifecycle while working within a supportive, experienced People Team.
- Working directly alongside our Director of People & Wellbeing, you’ll gain exposure to:
- Employee relations.
- Payroll.
- Recruitment and onboarding.
- HR compliance.
- Reward and recognition.
- Organisational culture.
- HR projects.
- Leadership support.
No two days are the same, making this an ideal opportunity for someone looking to build a long‑term career in HR.
We offer an attractive salary and benefits package including
• 50% off childcare (including Holiday Camp) – from day one with us!
- Wellbeing ambassadors in all our settings, to look after your health and wellbeing
- Free lunches and drinks every day for our staff
- WPA “NHS Top up” – including a 24/7 helpline, access to private doctors appointments, money back on healthcare expenses
- Tastecard for all permanent staff – Offering up to 50% off various restaurants, cafes, take aways, cinema tickets & days out.
- Free family annual pass into Willows Farm (worth £600 per year!)
- 28 days annual holiday, increasing with service up to 33 days
- Refer a friend bonus up to £500 per referral – no limit on the number of referrals you can make!
- An open door management policy across all of our settings – You should always feel like you can come and talk to us.
- Access to training courses, and ongoing progression and development opportunities
- Regular staff/team outings and celebrations – let your hair down, you deserve it!
- Free staff uniform – comfortable polo shirts, and a coat for outdoors!
- Enhanced NEST Pension scheme for all staff – for a comfortable future retirement!
• Monthly staff lotteries and employee of the month – it could be you!
• Length of service awards and gifts – recognising your loyalty!
• Staff awards ceremony – with prizes worth up to £500!
- Staff summer bbq, and Christmas party
- Extra little “thank you” gifts for Valentines, Easter, Staff appreciation day, Christmas and other special annual days!
- Relocation packages – If you fancy a change of scenery
• Cycle to work scheme – we will help you buy your new bike!
- Free parking
Farm Day Nurseries are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Safer recruitment practice and pre‑employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.
This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
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HR and Payroll Assistant in St Albans employer: Rand Farm Park
At Mead Open Farm Day Nursery, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a nurturing and supportive environment for our educators. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, creativity, and a genuine love for childhood development, we offer a range of benefits including 50% off childcare, access to wellbeing resources, and opportunities for ongoing training. Our unique location at an award-winning farm park enhances the experience, allowing our team to engage in nature-based learning while enjoying a vibrant work culture filled with celebrations and recognition.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR and Payroll Assistant in St Albans
✨Get Involved in Local HR Events
Check out local HR networking events or workshops in your area. These are great opportunities to meet industry professionals, learn about the latest trends in human resources, and potentially get leads on part-time roles like the one at Rand Farm Park.
✨Join HR Communities Online
Platforms like SHRM Connect or HR-specific LinkedIn groups are gold mines for job leads and industry discussions. Engaging in conversations can put your name out there and might just catch the eye of someone from Rand Farm Park looking for a part-time star!
✨Utilise University Career Services
If you're studying or have recently graduated, don’t forget about your university's career services. They often have contacts in the HR world that can help you score a part-time gig, plus you can access exclusive job boards!
✨Direct Applications Through Our Website
When you find the part-time role you're excited about, apply directly through our website. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps us streamline the hiring process. Make your application stand out with a tailored approach!
We think you need these skills to ace HR and Payroll Assistant in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your People Skills:In human resources, it’s all about connecting with people. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience in recruitment, employee relations, or conflict resolution. If you’ve got any certifications in HR or related fields, don’t forget to flaunt them!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Shine Bright:When applying for a part-time HR role at Rand Farm Park, your cover letter should reflect your motivation and enthusiasm for the position. Discuss your passion for people management and how you can contribute to their team, even on a part-time basis.
Demonstrate Flexibility and Availability:Since it's a part-time role, be clear in your application about your availability. HR often requires a balance of flexibility and commitment, so outline any existing commitments and how you plan to manage your time effectively.
Include Real-Life Examples:When describing your experience, use specific examples that illustrate your competency in HR tasks. Whether it’s handling employee onboarding or managing records, these anecdotes can make your application stand out to Rand Farm Park.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rand Farm Park
✨Know Your HR Basics Inside Out
As we're diving into a part-time HR role, let’s brush up on key HR concepts like recruitment processes, employment law, and employee engagement strategies. Prepare to explain how you've handled various HR scenarios in the past or how you'd approach them in the future – this shows you can hit the ground running!
✨Get Creative with Your HR Portfolio
Bring along a portfolio showcasing your HR projects, like recruitment plans or engagement activities you've designed. This isn't just for show; it helps us illustrate our hands-on experience and creativity, making us stand out to Rand Farm Park. Plus, it’s a tangible way to discuss our achievements!
✨Brush Up on Behavioural Interview Techniques
Expect a mix of traditional and behavioural interview questions. Prepare STAR answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result) on how you've resolved conflicts or improved team dynamics. Since HR is all about people, our ability to communicate effectively will be under the spotlight.
✨Show Flexibility and Enthusiasm
In a part-time HR role, demonstrating a flexible approach to working hours and responsibilities can make us more appealing to Rand Farm Park. Expressing our eagerness to learn and contribute to the team will demonstrate that we're not just filling a position, but genuinely excited to be part of their journey!
