Nursery Practitioner
Closing date: 21 October 2025.
Due to expansion, we are looking for full and part‑time Level 3 qualified Nursery Practitioners to join our fantastic Sunshine Day Nursery teams at Sheffield's Northern General and Royal Hallamshire Hospitals.
Offering year‑round childcare to NHS and hospital staff, each site cares for up to 144 children and features dedicated baby, toddler, and pre‑school units, extended opening hours (6.30am to 7pm), alongside a school holiday club at the Northern General.
We pride ourselves on giving children the best start in life, and our great staff are committed to providing a fun, social, stimulating, and safe environment for them to develop and thrive.
As well as day‑to‑day childcaring, you will also be responsible for preparing and organising a wide range of learning activities and resources for the children, as well as maintaining good communication and relationships with parents.
We are looking for people who share our enthusiasm, commitment, and high standards to delivering fantastic childcare. To apply, you will need a Level 3 Early Years / Childcare qualification, and a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards.
Being part of the NHS, you will also have access to a wide range of rewards and benefits you won't find in the private sector - from pay progression, great annual leave and NHS pension, flexible hours, discounts with local and national shops and retailers, discounted travel, childcare with us, and more.
Main duties of the job
To support the Senior Nursery Practitioner in ensuring an excellent quality service and to be a good role model and support Childcare Assistants, Apprentices and Students with their development and practice.
To be responsible for providing an interesting and stimulating environment which is well organised and facilitates independence and resourcefulness for the children.
To ensure the development of good quality learning opportunities and activities, inside and outside which provide an interesting, inclusive and stimulating environment.
Providing excellent care and educational opportunities for the children within your care.
To ensure the organisation, preparation and collection of resources in the nursery in a timely manner.
Planning and implementing activities and experiences which are appropriate for children of all ages and stages of development using the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and Ofsted guidelines.
Preparing children's work for display, ensuring that it is well presented and promotes self‑esteem.
Providing information displays for parents and carers.
About us
You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff.
Sunshine Day Nurseries are part of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Staff training and development is really important to us, and we offer the chance to do further childcare qualifications and progression towards childcare coordinator roles, as well as a variety of regular in‑house and external courses.
Have any questions or want to find out more? Feel free to get in touch via the details below for an informal chat, or to arrange a visit to see our nurseries for yourself.
Person Specification
* NVQ 3 in Childcare/Education or equivalent qualification demonstrating literacy and numeracy skills to Level 3.
* General IT skills.
* First Aid Certificate.
* Safeguarding certificate.
Experience
* Relevant experience within a Day Care/childcare setting.
* Relevant experience in EYFS and curriculum planning.
* An awareness of child development and Health & Hygiene.
* Some knowledge on Safeguarding Children.
* Interest in working with children and their families within a childcare setting.
* Providing good quality care with compassion, commitment and competence.
* Respectful and effective communication skills.
* Understanding of the needs of children and their families and maintaining dignity.
* Effective organisational skills.
* Team working and partnership with parents and agencies.
* Demonstrating understanding of the role of a Nursery Practitioner.
* Understanding the requirements of confidentiality in a Childcare setting.
Other Factors
* Willingness to undertake training as required by the post.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£24,937 to £26,598 a year pa/pro rata for part time staff
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