Pre-school
Qualified practitioner
4 day working week
Wage:
£12 per hour / £23,088 per annum
Increase from April 2025
And
(Wage increase upon successfully passing 6 month probation)
*Please see * at the bottom of this page for further info on salaries*
Hours
08:00 - 17:45 - 4 day working week
*Fixed days off can be requested
We are an all-year-round setting closing for the Christmas week.
About Us
Set in two acres of gardens and woodland, Abbotswood Pre-school and Day Nursery offers childcare for children aged between three months to five years. Our nursery has been transformed over the past 4 years, taking inspiration from ‘Hygge in early years’, our Scandinavian approach which is evident across all areas of the nursery, inside and out, as well as becoming embedded into our home-grown curriculum.
We are open for 51 weeks a year and currently offer care to over 90 children every day. Our growth-centric approach puts the child and staff at the center of everything we do, and both our children and staff feel a sense of belonging. Our nursery is led by an experienced EYPS operations manager, who is closely involved with the director, and our teams are led by passionate room leaders, with rooms encouraged to freely follow children’s interests.
We have recently launched our own onsite Academy, in-person training workshops for childcare professionals and families. We are dedicated to continuously challenging our staff team and upskilling everyone based on their own individual strengths.
Check out our virtual tour on You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeH7niAmunI
Our 50 place pre-school room is a purpose-built pre-school lodge, with outdoor areas set up over nearly an acre of gardens, woodland and the adjoining nature reserve. The team and the children spend majority of their time outdoors and regular walks, picnics and den building through the Abbotswood nature reserve.
You will be joining a team of experienced outdoor practitioners, as well as forest school leaders.
Who We’re Looking For
A qualified practitioner (minimum level 3) who has as much love for the outdoors as we do
A person who has previously worked with pre-school aged children.
An outdoorsy, down-to-earth character who has a passion for outdoor learning and being part of a very special team.
A practitioner who wants to add to our own curriculum.
Minimum entry requirement is NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
All statutory training and certificates can be obtained through us directly. (First aid, safeguarding and enhanced DBS) These are paid for by us but will be claimed back if you leave within a year of employment.
Other Benefits
Free onsite parking.
Paid for first aid course within first 3 months (if required).
Paid for summer and Christmas parties. We do like a party!
We operate a secret fairy system (ask us more about this at your interview).
Employee of the month rewards.
Company pension scheme.
28 days holiday, which includes one week of Christmas break, during which the nursery is shut down.
Uniform provided.
Meals and healthy snacks provided.
Promise of annual pay reviews.
Childcare discount available.
Being part of a team who genuinely support each other.
Key Responsibilities
The key responsibilities for working in the pre-school lodge are:
To always provide a safe, caring and stimulating educational environment, both indoors and outdoors.
Contribute to curriculum plans and engaging activity ideas.
Prepare displays, ensuring they stimulate vocal and receptive responses.
Ensure a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care of our children, actively promoting each child’s self-esteem.
To maintain a safe environment for the children and adults in the nursery, ensuring that equipment and resources are set up and cleared away each session.
To commit to continuous personal development.
To be flexible and love to engage with children outside in our muddy and leafy grounds.
Demonstrate good safeguarding knowledge. Ensure safeguarding skills are kept up to date.
Ensure Abbotswood Day Nursery’s vision and core values are incorporated into day-to-day activities and environments.
Must demonstrate initiative and confidence in raising ideas.
*Salaries are subject to age, experience, skillset and ambition.
Our salaries are calculated on a 37 hour week over 4 days. Other nursery salaries are calculated over 5 full days or 45 hours. Salaries are paid hourly. Your hourly wage will always be agreed and discussed with you as part of the interview process. We pride ourselves on paying our staff their value and are committed to offering continuous pay increases for up-skilling and annual pay increases. Subject to your age and experience, the offered wage for this role may be below this wage.
How To Apply
To apply, please send an up-to-date copy of your CV and a covering letter to office@abbotswooddaynursery.co.uk. Please note that employment offers are subject to clear enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.
