Job overview
MAT Leave Cover: Early Years Educator (minimum Level 2 qualification in Early Years Care & Education)
10 months fix term contract
Full Time Post: 37.5hrs over a 9 day fortnight - Mon to Fri
**Must hold the relevant qualifications or experience**
Are you passionate about supporting young children to learn, grow, and thrive? We are looking for a caring and enthusiastic Early Years Educator to join our friendly nursery team on a maternity cover basis.
This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a nurturing, child-centred environment where every day brings new opportunities to make a difference.
Our NHS nursery is based at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath with a team of highly experienced staff nursery .
The post holder will be required to have a full and relevant Level 2/3 Diploma in Early Years with experience of working with in an EYFS setting.
Inspected by Ofsted in January 2024, achieving a grade 'Good' we value the importance of excellent parent partnership and flexible childcare in a NHS workplace nursery.
Excellent Annual leave Entitlement
Excellent NHS Pension
We are looking for someone who is motivated, flexible, and passionate about the care and learning of children under the age of 5 years.
The Wendy House Nursery cares for babies and young children of NHS employees. We are open from 7:00 to 18:00 with staff working a variety of shifts. It is essential to be flexible and able to travel to Haywards Heath to work various shifts..
Main duties of the job
You will be based in our young toddler & baby room, supporting children aged approximately 0–2 years, providing a safe, loving, and stimulating environment where they can explore, develop, and thrive.
Working with the under 2s is based on building strong attachments, delivering sensory and age -appropriate activities, working closely with parents to ensure continuity of care and routines and maintaining a safe, clean, and nurturing environment.
This is a qualified position, and the post holder will be required to support a 'Key Group' of children supporting their care and educational needs.
Good knowledge and experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is essential as you will be planning and undertaking activities, carrying out observations and individual assessments.
You must show flexibility and adaptability as each day can be very different but equally enjoyable and imaginative. Being able to retain information, and use initiative is a must for this post.
The role will involve spending time in the outdoor environment.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To work alongside colleagues to provide a high-quality childcare service by creating a safe and stimulating atmosphere for children to play, learn and develop.
2. To work alongside colleagues in the delivery of an effective EYFS curriculum that supports the children’s interest and stage of development.
3. To work with the nursery daily routine; working within the indoors/outdoors learning areas and local community.
4. To engage with children in creative and sensory play
5. To be a 'Key Worker' to a small group of children support and develop their care and educational needs.
6. Provide caring support and good communication with parents/carers and children, understanding and appreciating diversity.
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval, you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
7. Childcare Qualification NVQ Level 2 or 3
8. Experience working with children under the age of 5 years
9. Experience with with Young Toddlers and Babies
10. Experience with Parent Partnership Working
11. Experience working within a Team environment
12. Knowledge of Early Years Milestones
13. Knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection
14. Understanding of Diversity and Equality Practice for Children, Families and Staff
15. Awareness of Health, Hygiene and Safety procedures in the workplace
Desirable criteria
16. Experience of being a Key Worker to a group of children
17. Paediatric First Aid Certificate
18. Food Hygiene Certificate
19. Experience of working in other Early Years settings
20. Experience of Special Educational needs and requirements
21. Demonstrate Excellent Verbal and Good Written skills
Equality and Diversity
Essential criteria
22. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
23. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications