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- Tasks: Create a nurturing and stimulating environment for nursery children to thrive.
- Company: Join the caring team at the University of St Andrews Nursery.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, free gym membership, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Early Years Practitioner with a passion for childcare.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent training opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 25100 - 30700 £ per year.
At the University of St Andrews Nursery, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dedicated and caring team. The University of St Andrews Nursery is seeking to recruit one Qualified Early Years Practitioner (EYP). We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and creative individual who is committed to delivering high-quality early learning and childcare. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and wellbeing of our nursery children by creating a nurturing, stimulating, and inclusive environment. At the University Nursery we offer our children a wide range of experiences and opportunities that will help them develop and flourish as they learn new skills through the play experience. The role of the EYP and wider Nursery staff will be to ensure a child centred approach in all aspects of the nursery. The EYPs will facilitate such opportunities and experiences which will enable our children to make decisions and solve problems.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the development and wellbeing of nursery children by creating a nurturing, stimulating, and inclusive environment.
- Support a child-centred approach in all aspects of the nursery.
- Facilitate opportunities and experiences that enable children to make decisions and solve problems.
Benefits
- SSSC Fee Covered
- PVG Update/Join fees covered
- 4 day week (compressed hours)
- Free Gym Membership to Saints Sport
- Staff Uniform
- 10% Discount on Saint Nursery Childcare
- 50% Staff discount on Junior Saints Holiday Camps
- 15% Staff Discount on Weekly Junior Saints Classes
- Sickness Absence Support and occupational sickness pay
- Access to Fife Council Training
- Annual leave of 30 days, plus 5 public holidays
- Membership of the S LAS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
- Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
- Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
- Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunities including LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme
Other information
The appointment will be subject to a Clear PVG Check for working with children, initiated by the University. Salary: role paid on the University’s grade 2 salary scale (£25,353 per annum, £13.45 per hour) with a market supplement of 15% bringing pay to £29,156 per annum (£15.46 per hour). The supplement is subject to review with the University’s recognised Trade Unions; if removed or reduced, full consultation will take place before implementation.
Further information and informal enquiries may be directed to Anja Copland, Nursery Manager (email: ac445@st-andrews.ac.uk, Tel: 01334 46 2121). Applications are particularly welcome from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in professional posts at the University. Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the University Strategy.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa or by contacting our HR Immigration Team on hrimmigration@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Closing Date: 13 February 2026
Interview Date: 23 February 2026
Please quote ref: MC1238SB
Early Years Practitioner employer: University of St Andrews
Contact Detail:
University of St Andrews Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the nursery's vibe! Before your interview, check out their website and social media. This will help you understand their values and how they engage with children, so you can tailor your answers to show you're a perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a friend or family member and do a mock interview. Focus on common questions for Early Years Practitioners, like how you would create a nurturing environment or support child-led learning. This will boost your confidence!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! Think of fun activities or projects you could implement at the nursery. Bring these ideas to the interview to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to providing high-quality early learning experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows you're genuinely interested and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through! We want to see how much you care about creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for children.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We’re looking for someone who can support a child-centred approach, so share examples that demonstrate this!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of St Andrews
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of an Early Years Practitioner inside out. Familiarise yourself with child development theories and the importance of a child-centred approach. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your passion for early learning.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Think of specific examples where you've created engaging activities for children. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to a nurturing and stimulating environment at the nursery. Highlighting your creativity will demonstrate that you can bring fresh ideas to the team.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
The nursery values inclusivity, so be prepared to talk about how you’ve supported diverse needs in your previous roles. Share experiences where you’ve adapted activities to ensure all children feel included and valued, showcasing your commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the nursery’s approach to early years education. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you. Questions about training opportunities or team dynamics can be particularly effective.
