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- Tasks: Support children aged 0-5 in a vibrant nursery environment.
- Company: Join Brighter Futures for Children, a not-for-profit making a difference in Reading.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holidays, and a Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while developing your career in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with young children is great; Level 3 in Early Years is a plus but not essential.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equal opportunities for all.
Overview
Brighter Futures for Children – casual hours to cover lunch periods, part days and full days as agreed in advance with nursery management.
About us
Brighter Futures for Children is a not-for-profit company, owned by, but independent of, Reading Borough Council. Although we are independent, we are very much part of the Reading Family. Our people enjoy all of benefits as other Council employees including membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and continuous service.
We work closely with partners in the local community and key organisations including Reading Borough Council, policy, public health, and voluntary groups. We are responsible for the delivery of children’s social care, early help & prevention, education services (including SEND). This also includes fostering and adoption, the Youth Justice Service, and traded services with schools.
Our main aim is to protect and enhance the lives of the children of Reading. We help families find long-term solutions to ensure children lead happy, healthy, and successful lives.
About the team
Sure Start Whitley Nursery is a busy, popular and well-established nursery providing high quality, affordable and free childcare to local families in the South of Reading. The nursery is set out over three bright rooms which connect to a private garden space. Our local community is diverse with children attending our setting from a range of different backgrounds and with many different languages represented. Our educators are completely focused on ensuring that all children achieve and have an equal chance of success in an environment which is inclusive, inspiring, and nurturing. The children are very important and so is our team. We work closely with our educators to ensure that they continue to learn, develop, and share good practices.
We are currently looking for casual educators (qualified or unqualified) who can work collaboratively with our team, families, and wider professionals in the best interests of the children.
Responsibilities
You will be part of a casual educator team supporting children aged 0-5 in a busy early years setting. Responsibilities include working with children, families and professionals to deliver high quality care and learning experiences in a safe and inclusive environment. (Specific day-to-day tasks will be arranged in advance with nursery management.)
Skills and experience
- Experience of working with children aged 0-5 years in an early years setting.
- Excellent understanding of child development.
- Excellent communication skills.
Desirable
- Level 3 in Early Years/Childcare. Unqualified candidates will be considered.
Offer
You will be part of a supportive, hardworking, and passionate team. We offer a supportive framework to develop your career. You’ll work in a friendly and collaborative environment where we are committed to delivering positive outcomes.
We offer a competitive salary, and you will be paid above the average market rates for this area.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
- Incremental holidays starting with 26 days plus public holidays (rising to 33 after 10 years’ service)
- Discounted Child Care (on site nursery)
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season train ticket loans
- Salary Sacrifice Car Lease Scheme
- A range of local shopping discounts
- Remote/Agile working
Inclusion and Diversity
We want Brighter Futures for Children to be a great place to work and to ensure that our children, young people and families are represented in leadership roles and positions of power. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and those of Other Ethnicities, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our children, young people and families so that equalities and justice remains at the heart of everything we do.
Asking for adjustments
Brighter Futures for Children is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions.
If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please let us know.
Closing date and start dates
Closing date: Sunday 28th August 2025
Interview date: To be confirmed
We look forward to hearing from you!
Notes for staff transfer
In January 2025 the decision was made to bring Children’s Services (currently operating as Brighter Futures for Children Ltd (BFfC)) back in-house to Reading Borough Council (RBC).
All staff employed by BFfC on 30 September 2025 will transfer, via the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE), to the Council on 1 October 2025.
For new starters who BFfC confirms before 27 September 2025 their pre-employment checks are completed and a start date agreed will be issued with a BFfC contract and will transfer to RBC.
For new starters whose pre-employment checks have not been completed and / or a start date has not been agreed before 27 September, you will be issued with an RBC contract and your start date will not be before 6 October 2025.
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Casual Early Years Educator - Sure Start Whitley Nursery employer: Reading Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Reading Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Casual Early Years Educator - Sure Start Whitley Nursery
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take some time to learn about Sure Start Whitley Nursery and its values. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since excellent communication is key in early years education, consider role-playing common scenarios with friends or family. This will help you feel more confident when discussing your experiences during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for child development! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported children's learning and growth in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to creating a nurturing environment for the kids at the nursery.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly on our site. This way, you can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and you’ll be one step closer to joining our fantastic team!
We think you need these skills to ace Casual Early Years Educator - Sure Start Whitley Nursery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Early Years Education: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to early years education and how you can contribute to our nurturing environment.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Casual Early Years Educator role. Highlight your understanding of child development and any experience you have in similar settings to show us you're the right fit for our team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically so we can easily see your qualifications and experiences. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. This way, you can ensure all your details are captured correctly, and it helps us keep track of your application efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know Your Child Development Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of child development, especially for ages 0-5. Be ready to discuss how you can support children's learning and growth in a nurturing environment.
✨Show Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be working with children, families, and professionals, it's crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Think of examples where you've effectively communicated or collaborated in a team setting.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
Brighter Futures for Children values diversity and inclusivity. Prepare to share your thoughts on how you can contribute to an inclusive environment and support children from various backgrounds.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life situations. Think about past experiences where you handled challenges in an early years setting and how you ensured a positive outcome for the children involved.