At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire and nurture young minds while applying the Storal curriculum daily.
- Company: Ickle Pickles Nursery, a caring and inclusive environment for children.
- Benefits: Up to £13.30 per hour, performance bonuses, 50% childcare discount, and wellness days.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career growth and wellbeing initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and support their unique learning journeys.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Early Years qualification and experience with all age groups.
The predicted salary is between 27600 - 27600 £ per year.
Nursery: Ickle Pickles Nursery School, 1 School Mews, Iwade, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8UW
Hours: Full Time, Monday - Friday
Salary: Up to £13.30 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
Benefits: Performance‑related bonus, 50% childcare discount, wellness day and more. £500 Welcome Bonus
At Ickle Pickles, we pride ourselves on providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child is supported to learn and grow at their own pace. Our experienced team brings a wealth of early years knowledge and insight, and we recognise that each child has their own unique journey. We have a dedicated Special Educational Needs Co‑ordinator (SENCo) who works closely with families and practitioners to identify and support additional needs. This personalised approach is further supported by our parent forum committee, ensuring open communication and meaningful partnerships with families. Our children spend dedicated time outdoors, engaging with nature through a variety of rich and inspiring activities. Mealtimes are a special part of the day – children enjoy healthy, nutritious meals together in our warm, central dining space. We also embrace cultural celebrations through themed menus, offering new flavours and learning opportunities. As part of the Kingsferry Collaboration, we share best practices, solve challenges together, and support each other to continually deliver the highest standards of care and education.
About the role
As a Nursery Practitioner you will be a key part of keeping our children safe, loved and inspired to learn. Key activities include:
- Applying the Storal curriculum and our pedagogy principles to our children daily
- Seeking out learning opportunities in everyday routines such as mealtimes and transitions
- Bonding with children and their families by engaging in meaningful moments
About you
- A true love for child development and care
- Able and willing to work in a team
- Ability to communicate effectively with management, peers and parents
- High levels of care and empathy that every opportunity can be a learning moment
- Knowledge of the EYFS framework
Must haves
- Early Years qualification at Level 3
- Experience working with all age groups within Early Years
Why work for us
Benefits at a glance:
- Enhanced holidays, paid sick pay, extra wellness day off (yearly) and accessing your pay before payday with PayCaptain
- Childcare discount + funding, compassionate leave & enhanced maternity (and more)
- Partnerships with Vitality & Peppy; fertility & menopause support, gym discount, free movie tickets and more
- Micro‑learning, financial stability tools & Storal Support Fund
- Termly inset days, team app & Storal Awards gathering
- Enhanced DBS check and subscription to the DBS Update Service
We partner with world‑leading third parties such as Pay Captain, Vitality, and Peppy. We care about our people. We take our role in safeguarding and the welfare of children and staff extremely seriously. As governed by the EYFS, we have a designated safeguarding lead in each setting and all staff (and volunteers) complete thoroughly compliant checks prior to employment, including employment references and DBS checks.
Early Years Practitioner in Sittingbourne employer: Storal Learning Ltd
Ickle Pickles Nursery School is an exceptional employer that fosters a nurturing and inclusive environment for both children and staff. With a strong emphasis on professional development, our team enjoys enhanced benefits such as a performance-related bonus, generous childcare discounts, and wellness days, all while working collaboratively within the supportive Kingsferry Collaboration. Located in the heart of Iwade, Kent, we prioritise employee well-being and growth, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in early years education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Practitioner in Sittingbourne
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery! Before your interview, take a stroll around Ickle Pickles Nursery School if you can. Familiarising yourself with the environment and the vibe will help you feel more confident and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for child development! During your conversations, share specific examples of how you've supported children's learning and growth in the past. This will demonstrate your commitment to nurturing young minds, which is exactly what Ickle Pickles is all about.
✨Tip Number 3
Connect with the team! If you get the chance, chat with current staff members during your visit or interview. Building rapport with them can give you insights into the nursery's culture and show that you're a team player who values collaboration.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly on the Ickle Pickles site. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows that you’re keen to join our amazing team.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Practitioner in Sittingbourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your love for child development shine through in your application. Share specific examples of how you've engaged with children and supported their learning journeys.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your Early Years qualification and relevant experience. We want to see how your skills align with our nurturing environment and the EYFS framework.
Be Authentic:When writing your cover letter, be yourself! We appreciate genuine voices that reflect your personality and approach to working with children and families.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of joining our team, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Storal Learning Ltd
✨Know Your EYFS Framework
Make sure you brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework before your interview. Being able to discuss how you apply this in practice will show that you’re not just familiar with it, but that you can implement it effectively in a nursery setting.
✨Show Your Passion for Child Development
During the interview, share specific examples of how you've supported children's learning and development in previous roles. This could be through activities, interactions, or even how you've engaged with families. Your genuine love for child care will shine through!
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t forget that interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the nursery’s approach to child development and how they support their staff. This shows you’re interested and invested in being part of their team.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
As an Early Years Practitioner, teamwork is crucial. Be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with colleagues in the past, especially in creating a nurturing environment for children. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to work well with others and communicate effectively.
