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- Tasks: Support nursery staff in caring for children aged 0-5 and engage them in fun activities.
- Company: Join Tops Day Nurseries, a leading childcare provider committed to employee well-being and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, up to 60% childcare discount, 30 days off, and free meals.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives while working in a supportive and happy environment.
- Qualifications: Level 2 or 3 Early Years Qualification is desirable but not essential; passion for child development is key.
- Other info: Be part of an Employee-Owned Company with profit-sharing bonuses and career advancement opportunities.
Salary: Up to ÂŁ14.30 per hour
Contract: Bank, 0 hours contract
“Staff well-being is valued and nurtured. The provider offers staff opportunities to celebrate their achievements and contributions. These include staff nominations on the 'Each Person Scheme' and special award nights to recognise both individual and nursery achievements.” - OFSTED recent feedback
Why You’ll Love Working with Us
- Annual Bonus Scheme: As an Employee-Owned Company, you’ll share in our success. Each May, you’ll have the opportunity to receive a bonus from our profit shares.
- Childcare Discount: Enjoy up to 60% off childcare within Tops Day Nurseries, making it easier for you to balance work and family life.
- Flexible Working Options: Make the Most of Your Time Off with Compressed Hours. By working compressed hours, you could gain up to 48 extra days off per year. Alternatively, if you work nine days over a two-week period, you’ll receive up to 24 additional days off annually. And that’s in addition to your standard holiday allowance!
- Proud to be a World’s Happiest Workplace: Tops Day Nurseries has been officially certified as a World’s Happiest Workplace for 2025, recognising our commitment to employee well-being, career growth, and a positive workplace culture.
- Holiday Allowance: You’ll receive 28 days of annual leave each year to relax and spend time doing what you love. Additionally, you’ll also receive 2 extra days: one to celebrate your birthday or another day that’s special to you, and a Wellbeing Day, just for you, to take a pause, recharge, and focus on what makes you feel good.
- Free meals: Our nurseries provide free breakfast to our colleagues as part of our commitment to supporting your well-being.
- Employee Recognition: Access to the Blue Light Card, offering exclusive discounts and savings at thousands of retailers, restaurants, and attractions.
- Employee Recognition Platform: Access our reward and recognition platform, Each Person, for Gym discounts, Cycle2Work benefits, GP on demand, Cinema deals, Diesel Savings Card, and cashback on your favourite supermarkets and high street retailers.
- Health and Wellbeing Support: We’ve got you covered with NHS Prescription Charges, Optical Care, and Dental Treatment.
- Career Development: We’re committed to your growth and offer fantastic opportunities for career advancement.
- Travel and Parking Season Ticket loan: Borrow up to ÂŁ500 interest-free and spread the expense easily, whether for public transport or parking.
About the Role
Are you passionate about working with children and looking for a flexible role in childcare? We are recruiting for Agency Nursery Assistants to join our team and support nurseries across multiple locations.
As an Agency Nursery Assistant, you will have the opportunity to work in different early years settings, providing essential support to nurseries in your area. This flexible role is perfect for someone who enjoys variety, working with different teams, and making a positive impact on children’s lives.
What does the role involve?
- Assisting nursery staff in the care and supervision of children aged 0-5.
- Supporting daily routines such as feeding, changing, and helping children with toilet training.
- Engaging with children through fun and educational activities.
- Creating a safe, clean, and nurturing environment.
- Building positive relationships with children, parents, and nursery teams.
- Working across multiple nursery locations based on staffing needs.
What are we looking for?
- Level 2 or 3 Early Years Qualification is desirable, but not essential.
- Experience working with young children in a nursery or early years setting is desirable but not essential.
- A genuine passion for supporting children’s development and well-being.
- Flexibility and adaptability to work in different locations.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- A positive, caring, and proactive attitude.
Why Tops Day Nurseries?
We are a leading early education and childcare provider in South England, established in 1990. We promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility by educating today’s children to influence future generations. We value respect, open communication, and teamwork, fostering a positive, purpose-driven work environment.
As an Employee-Owned Company, our colleagues are co-owners, benefiting from the company’s growth through annual profit-sharing bonuses. We’re also proud to rank 9th in the 2024 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK, offering career development from Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeships to Nursery Manager or Early Years Teacher.
Exciting? We think so! Your journey starts here, so take the first step to become part of Tops Team by clicking apply!
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. All candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS which is on the update service. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks. This role involves regulated activity with children. You should not apply if you are on the Children’s Barred List.
Agency Nursery Practitioner employer: Tops Day Nurseries
Contact Detail:
Tops Day Nurseries Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Agency Nursery Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific values and culture of Tops Day Nurseries. Understanding their commitment to employee well-being and career development can help you align your conversation during interviews, showcasing how you fit into their positive workplace environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Tops Day Nurseries. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your flexibility and adaptability in working across different nursery locations. Highlight any previous experiences where you've successfully adjusted to new environments or teams, as this is a key aspect of the Agency Nursery Practitioner role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for early childhood education by preparing examples of how you've positively impacted children's development in past roles. This will resonate well with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to nurturing young minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Agency Nursery Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience working with children, even if it's informal. Emphasise any qualifications or training related to early years education, and showcase your passion for child development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your enthusiasm for the role of Agency Nursery Practitioner. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to engage with children and support their needs, and explain why you want to work with Tops Day Nurseries.
Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability: Since the role involves working across multiple nursery locations, emphasise your flexibility and adaptability in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully adjusted to new environments or teams in the past.
Showcase Communication Skills: Strong communication is key in this role. In your application, highlight instances where you've effectively communicated with children, parents, or colleagues. This could include teamwork experiences or situations where you resolved conflicts or built relationships.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tops Day Nurseries
✨Show Your Passion for Childcare
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with children. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to their development and well-being.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Since the role involves working across multiple nursery locations, be prepared to discuss how you can adapt to different environments and teams. Highlight any past experiences where you've successfully adjusted to new situations.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle various situations in a nursery setting. Think of examples where you've engaged with children, managed routines, or resolved conflicts, and be ready to share these during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the nursery's approach to child development, team dynamics, or staff support. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
