Job Description
NURSERY PRACTITIONER – LEVEL 2 SEN SPECIALIST
Location: Tops Lakeside, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Pay rate: Up to £12.37 per hour
Contracted Hours: 35 hours per week/ Full Time (Tuesday to Friday)
“Staff well-being is valued and nurtured. The provider offers staff opportunities to celebrate their achievements and contributions. These include staff nominations on the 'Each Person Scheme' and special award nights to recognise both individual and nursery achievements.”- OFSTED recent feedback
Why You’ll Love Working with Us
At Tops Day Nurseries, we believe in rewarding our team for their hard work and dedication. Here are some of the fantastic benefits you’ll enjoy as part of our family:
Annual Bonus Scheme: As an Employee-Owned Company, you’ll share in our success. Each May, you’ll have the opportunity to receive a bonus from our profit shares.
Childcare Discount: Enjoy up to 60% off childcare within Tops Day Nurseries, making it easier for you to balance work and family life.
Flexible Working Options: Make the Most of Your Time Off with Compressed Hours. By working compressed hours, you could gain up to 48 extra days off per year. Alternatively, if you work nine days over a two-week period, you’ll receive up to 24 additional days off annually. And that’s in addition to your standard holiday allowance!
Proud to be a World’s Happiest Workplace: Tops Day Nurseries has been officially certified as a World’s Happiest Workplace for 2025, recognising our commitment to employee well-being, career growth, and a positive workplace culture.
Holiday Allowance: Take advantage of 29 days of holiday to relax and recharge.
Wellbeing Day: For you to enjoy the way you would like. Take a step back, unwind, and focus on the things that bring you joy and relaxation.
Free meals: Our nurseries are proud to provide free breakfast to our colleagues as part of our commitment to supporting your well-being. Enjoy freshly prepared meals each day, ensuring you're energized and ready to provide the best care and education for the children we nurture.
Employee Recognition: Access to the Blue Light Card, offering exclusive discounts and savings at thousands of retailers, restaurants, and attractions.
Employee Recognition Platform: Access our reward and recognition platform, Each Person, for Gym discounts, Cycle2Work benefits, GP on demand, Cinema deals, Diesel Savings Card, and cashback on your favourite supermarkets and high street retailers. We also use Each person to celebrate employee of the month!
Health and Wellbeing Support: We’ve got you covered with NHS Prescription Charges, Optical Care, and Dental Treatment.
Career Development: We’re committed to your growth and offer fantastic opportunities for career advancement.
Travel and Parking Season Ticket loan: Borrow up to £500 interest-free and spread the expense easily, whether for public transport or parking.
About the Role
We are currently looking for a compassionate and dedicated SEN 1:1 Nursery Practitioner to provide tailored support to children with special educational needs (SEN), ensuring they have the best start to their learning journey.
About the Nursery
Tops Lakeside Nursery is a 92 place Day Nursery & Pre-School situated in Cosham, Portsmouth. The nursery run several extra-curricular activities including Tops Forest School, cooking school, Boogie Mites, yoga, meditation and much more!
What does the role involve?
* Responsible for the 1:1 care of the individual child to support their individual educational plan (IEP) and to liaise with the Room manager on a daily basis.
* Responsible to work with the behaviour management, equal opportunities and SEN representative to ensure the child’s needs are met.
* Writing and updating the IEP and liaising with the relevant representatives and Nursery Manager.
* Keep colleagues informed and disclose relevant updates with regards to continual progress of children on a 1:1 support programme.
* Work closely with external professionals or agencies involved with the family support of the child you are providing 1:1 care for.
What are we looking for?
* A minimum of a Level 2 Early Years Qualification is required.
* Have a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures
* Experience working with children with SEN, ideally in an early years setting.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with the nursery team, parents, and external professionals.
* Patience, empathy, and a positive approach to supporting children's individual needs.
* Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection policies.
* Experience with creating and implementing IEPs (desirable).
Why Tops Day Nurseries?
We are a leading early education and childcare provider in South England, established in 1990. We promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility by educating today’s children to influence future generations. We value respect, open communication, and teamwork, fostering a positive, purpose-driven work environment.
As an Employee-Owned Company, our colleagues are co-owners, benefiting from the company’s growth through annual profit-sharing bonuses. We're also proud to rank 9th in the 2024 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK, offering career development from Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeships to Nursery Manager or Early Years Teacher.
Exciting? We think so! Your journey starts here, so take the first step to become part of Tops Team by clicking apply!
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. All candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS which is on the update service. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks. This role involves regulated activity with children. You should not apply if you are on the Childrens’ Barred List.
INDSE