Childcare Assistant

Main area Human Resources Grade NHS AfC: Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours
• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week (37.5 hrs to be worked flexibly throughout the week) Job ref 190-1171-DIR-S

Employer Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Salary £24,465 pa/pro rata for part time staff
Closing 11/12/2025 23:59
Interview date 22/12/2025

NHS AfC: Band 2

We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers.

Job overview

Are you looking for an amazing first role in your childcare career? Or maybe you want to move to a larger childcare setting where you’ll make a real difference?

Due to expansion we’re looking for full and part-time Level 2 or 3-qualified Childcare Assistants to join our fantastic Sunshine Day Nursery teams at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Offering year-round childcare to NHS and hospital staff, each site cares for up to 144 children and features dedicated baby, toddler, and pre‑school units, extended opening hours (6.30am to 7pm), alongside a school holiday club at the Northern General.

We pride ourselves on giving children the best start in life, and our great staff are committed to giving children a fun, social, stimulating, and safe environment for them to develop and thrive.

We’re looking for people who share our enthusiasm, commitment, and high standards to delivering fantastic childcare. To apply, you’ll need your Level 2/3 Early Years / Childcare qualification, and a sound knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards.

Being part of the NHS, you’ll also have access to a wide range of rewards and benefits you won’t find in the private sector – from pay progression, great annual leave and NHS pension, flexible hours, discounts with local and national shops and retailers, discounted travel, childcare with us, and more.

Main duties of the job

• Providing an interesting and stimulating environment which is well organised and facilitates independence and resourcefulness for the children.
• Developing quality activities and role play situations, inside and outside which provide an interesting, inclusive and stimulating environment.
• Providing excellent care and educational opportunities for the children within your care.
• Contributing to the organisation, preparation, and collection of resources in the nursery.
• Planning and implementing activities and experiences which are appropriate for children of all ages and stages of development using the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and Ofsted guidelines.
• Preparing children’s work for display, ensuring that it is well presented and promotes self‑esteem.
• Providing information displays for parents and carers.

Working for our organisation

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff, including a firm commitment to professional development and an excellent health and well‑being support service.

Sunshine Day Nurseries are part of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Staff training and development is really important to us, and we offer the chance to do further childcare qualifications, including a Level 3 apprentice scheme, as well as a variety of regular in‑house and external courses.

Have any questions or want to find out more? Feel free to get in touch via the details below for an informal chat, or to arrange a visit to see our nurseries for yourself.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Ability to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills to Level 2 as evidenced by: NVQ 2 in Childcare/Education or equivalent qualification.
• General IT Skills.
• Safeguarding Certificate.
• First Aid Certificate.

Experience

• Relevant experience within a Day Care/Childcare setting.
• Relevant experience in EYFS and curriculum planning.
• An awareness of child development and Health & Hygiene.
• Some knowledge on Safeguarding Children.
• Patients First – An interest in working with children and their families within a childcare setting.
• Ability to provide good quality care with compassion, commitment and competence.
• Respectful – An understanding of the importance of effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of the needs of children and their families and providing care whilst maintaining dignity.
• Effective communication skills both verbal and written.
• Effective organisational skills.
• Unity – Ability to work as part of a team and in partnership with parents and any outside agencies in a professional manner.
• Deliver – Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of a Nursery Practitioner.
• Understanding the requirements of confidentiality in a Childcare setting.

Other Factors

• Willingness to undertake training as required by the post.