Nursery Practitioner

FTE: 1.0FTE (working 37 hours per week)

Annual Leave: 25 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Main duties and responsibilities

You will care for the children attending the Nursery on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage and Nursery planned activities and policies, working with the team to provide a safe and happy environment that meets each child’s physical and educational needs. The Nursery Practitioner will be the key person for a group of assigned children, working with the Room Leader/Nursery Officer and parents to support development, complete observations and ensure parents can access and comment on them, while assisting with planning appropriate activities. You will communicate positively and effectively with parents, respond to queries and report any concerns, accidents, illness, or maintenance issues promptly. You will also be flexible in working across different rooms, attend training or meetings, support daily nursery tasks, and undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required by the Nursery management team.

Skills and experience required

You will have proven relevant childcare experience in a similar Day Nursery setting, with experience of planning learning activities for children and experience of keeping child observations. Good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Children’s Act, alongside the ability to show effective communication skills with staff, children and their parents is essential. You will work effectively within a team and demonstrate excellent time management skills. A Willingness to update existing knowledge through reading and attending training sessions where necessary, being caring and motivated within childcare, and flexible with working hours and shifts is essential.

Qualifications required

You will hold a recognised childcare qualification at a minimum of Level 3 such as Early Years Educator, NNEB, DPP, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification and a minimum of GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English or equivalent, or proven experience.

REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE

This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 as amended. The University requires that the successful applicant who is offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. An Enhanced Disclosure will be required and this will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. The University of Hertfordshire complies with the ‘Code of Practice for Registered Persons and other recipients of Disclosure Information’.

Overseas applicants and UK applicants who have lived abroad

Successful applicants who have lived outside the UK, for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total), in the last 10 years, will be required to produce a ‘Certificate of Good Character/Conduct’ from each of those countries

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria, click the 'Apply' button above. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Carmel Mcguane, Nursery Manager: nursery@herts.ac.uk or call 01707 284448 for an informal discussion.

Closing Date: 02 December 2026

Interview Date: TBC

Advert information