Welcome to The Watership Down Nursery

Early Years Practitioner

 

Job description

Our outstanding mixed age nursery in beautiful Laverstoke near Whitchurch and Overton (20 mins from central Basingstoke) is seeking a Nursery Assistant to join our little family run team. We are open 50 weeks of the year from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and keep the number of children low in order to give our full care and attention to each child.

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Our children learn and play together as one big family nurturing children from 3 months to 5 years. We stands as a beacon of early childhood education and childcare, where our deeply rooted family ethos, combined with an innovative outdoor learning curriculum, sets us apart. Situated amidst lush, verdant surroundings, we take pride in our forest school approach and our unique initiative of growing our own fruits and vegetables. This initiative not only connects our children with nature but also instills in them the values of sustainability and healthy living from an early age.

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Please note this positions cannot consider overseas applications.

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Role Overview:
We are on the lookout for a dedicated Nursery Practitioner (qualified) who shares our passion for outdoor learning, family-centric values, and the hands-on experience of growing. This role is perfect for someone who believes in fostering a strong connection between children and the natural world, and who sees the value in teaching young minds where their food comes from.

Our nurseries are looking for the right person who is motivated and inspired by the children to create opportunities that the children will love to investigate and explore making it all about the children.

Our family team is seeking someone who wants to be a part of something magical and fun. Who is eager to enhance children's childhood experiences in our beautiful homely room and embrace our amazing outdoor spaces.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver engaging, creative, and educational activities within our ethos, focusing on outdoor learning, forest school practices, and gardening.

• Promote a family-like atmosphere, ensuring a warm, welcoming environment for all children.

• Helps engage children to grow fruits and vegetables, integrating these activities into broader learning objectives.

• Work closely with colleagues to plan and implement a curriculum that supports the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of each child, in alignment with the EYFS framework.

• Communicate effectively with families about their children’s progress and the unique learning experiences at our nursery

• Follow and adhere to all policies and safeguarding procedures

Requirements:

• Level 2 or 3 qualification in Childcare, Early Years Education, or equivalent is essential.

• Experience in, or a passion for the outdoors.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work well within our nursery family.

• Commitment to personal and professional development.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• Opportunities for professional growth, including training in forest school methodologies and sustainable gardening.

• A supportive, passionate team environment.

• Discounts on childcare for employees.

• The joy of working in a setting that prioritizes health, sustainability, and communion

• Pension

• Discounted childcare

• Regular set days off

• 28 days holiday including bank holidays and Christmas closure

• Supportive staff training and development that follows your interests

• Free counselling and wellbeing services

• Staff events including team building, Christmas party, quiz nights, bowling etc.

• Employee of the month awards and staff tuck shop

• Free onsite staff parking and on bus route

• Staff wellbeing days

• Free weekly lunch

• Free starting uniform

What we are and what we do:

• A small nurturing nursery

• Independent and family run

• We put the children at the heart of what we do

• Home from home ethos

• Forest School

• We know our families and the children inside out

• We treat you as the individual you are

• Value a work/life balance

• We are surrounded by a variety of outdoor spaces just for us which includes our free flow area from our room, our slides and climbing frame in the play park, allotment garden full of edible flowers, herbs and veg and our secret forest base camp hidden in the woods for our children to explore all surrounded by fields and fields!

What we are not:

• A big chain full of logos

• A conveyor belt of children where we cram children in

• A place where you or the children are just a number

• Filling up time with endless paperwork

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks and references.

 

Ready to play? Then hop on over and give us a call, we can rabbit on about childcare all day long.

We are dedicated to safeguarding and child protection.

 

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Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

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Benefits:

 

• Childcare

• Company events

• Company pension

• Discounted or free food

• Employee discount

• Free flu jabs

• Free parking

• Health & wellbeing programme

• On-site parking

 

Schedule:

 

• Monday to Friday

 

Experience:

 

• Childcare: 1 year (preferred)

 

Language:

 

• English (required)

 

Licence/Certification:

 

• Level 2 or 3 in childcare or education equivalent (required)

 

Work authorisation:

 

• United Kingdom (required)

 

Work Location: In person