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- Tasks: Create a safe and stimulating environment for children aged 0-5, supporting their learning and development.
- Company: The Lodge Day Nursery, a diverse and inclusive childcare provider in Reading.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, competitive salary, and a supportive career development environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a fun, collaborative team.
- Qualifications: Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Qualification and a passion for working with young children.
- Other info: Join a vibrant community focused on inclusivity and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 1200 - 1600 £ per month.
This position is based at The Lodge Day Nursery. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
The Lodge is a well-established nursery providing high quality, affordable and funded childcare to local families in Reading. The nursery is set out over three bright rooms which each connect to their own private garden spaces. 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.
About the role
We’re looking for caring, motivated, and enthusiastic Early Years Educators to join our nursery teams on a casual basis. Whether you hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Qualification, you’ll play an essential part in creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children aged 0–5. You’ll support children’s learning and development through responsive, in-the-moment teaching and help them thrive as confident, curious learners.
In this role, you’ll help every child feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. You’ll use your knowledge to create meaningful opportunities for play, exploration, and development.
You will also:
- Welcome new children and families, helping them settle into nursery life
- Build positive relationships with parents, carers, and colleagues
- Observe and record children’s development, contributing to planning
- Encourage positive behaviour through modelling and guidance
- Promote inclusive practice and support children with SEND
- Maintain the safety, cleanliness, and organisation of learning spaces
About you
You’ll be someone who genuinely enjoys working with young children and brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a caring approach to your work. You value teamwork, embrace creativity, and understand the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with families.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has a friendly, approachable manner and a child-centred mindset
- Communicates clearly with children, families, and colleagues
- Shows initiative and contributes positively to team life
- Is reliable, organised, and able to manage their workload effectively
- Is committed to safeguarding, inclusive practice, and ongoing professional development
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
- Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
- Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
- Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
- Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: Sunday 22nd February
Interview Date: Tuesday 24th February
Interview Process: To be confirmed
Casual Early Years Educator in Reading 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 in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years education field. Attend local events or workshops, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on a casual position at The Lodge!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance for an interview, let your warmth and enthusiasm shine through. Remember, they’re looking for someone who genuinely enjoys working with children, so be yourself and share your passion for early years education.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you would handle various scenarios in the nursery, especially around inclusivity and supporting children with SEND. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 Lodge and contributing to our vibrant community.
We think you need these skills to ace Casual Early Years Educator in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Early Years Education: Let us see your enthusiasm for working with young children right from the start. Share specific examples of how you've created a nurturing environment or supported children's learning in your previous roles.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and requirements mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience with diverse backgrounds and inclusive practices to show you’re a perfect fit for our team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon, so we can easily understand your qualifications and experiences. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Casual Early Years Educator inside out. Familiarise yourself with the nursery's values, the importance of inclusivity, and how to support children's development. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for working with young children shine through. Share personal experiences or anecdotes that highlight your caring nature and ability to create a nurturing environment. This will help the interviewers see that you’re not just qualified, but also truly passionate about the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about their approach to inclusive practice or how they support professional development. It shows that you’re engaged and thinking critically about how you can contribute to their team.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity is key! Be genuine in your responses and let your personality come through. The Lodge Day Nursery values teamwork and building strong relationships, so showing your true self will help them see how you’d fit into their community.