Overview
NURSERY PRACTITIONER – LEVEL 3
Location: Tops Gillingham, Gillingham, Dorset
Pay rate: Up to £13.60 per hour
Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week / Full Time
Staff well-being is valued and nurtured. The provider offers staff opportunities to celebrate their achievements and contributions, including staff nominations on the Each Person Scheme and special award nights to recognise both individual and nursery achievements. - OFSTED
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:
* £700 Welcome Bonus: We’re excited to have you join us and want to start things off with a warm welcome!
* Relocation Package: Receive up to £3000 to help make your move as smooth as possible.
* 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: Compressed hours can provide up to 48 extra days off per year. Alternatively, nine days over a two-week period can yield up to 24 additional days off annually, in addition to standard holiday allowance.
* Proud to be a World’s Happiest Workplace: Tops Day Nurseries has been 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: 28 days of annual leave each year. Plus 2 extra days: one to celebrate your birthday (or another special day) and a Wellbeing Day.
* Free meals: Free breakfast for colleagues to support well-being and energy for the day.
* Employee Recognition: Access to the Blue Light Card for exclusive discounts and savings.
* Employee Recognition Platform: Access to Each Person for gym discounts, Cycle2Work, GP on demand, cinema deals, Diesel Savings Card, and cashback at retailers. Each Person is used to celebrate employee of the month.
* Health and Wellbeing Support: NHS Prescription Charges, Optical Care, and Dental Treatment.
* Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement.
* Travel and Parking Season Ticket loan: Borrow up to £500 interest-free for travel or parking.
About the Role
Our Nursery Practitioners look after the educational and social development of babies and young children up to age five. Primary duties include providing a safe environment to learn, helping children develop basic social and behavioural skills, and engaging them in age-appropriate play activities. You will join a caring team dedicated to warmth and kindness in our nurseries.
About the Nursery
Tops Gillingham Nursery is a 96-place Day Nursery & Pre-School located in Gillingham. The nursery runs several extra-curricular activities including Tops Forest School, baby massage sessions, a holiday club (after school care), and more.
What does the role involve?
* Providing day-to-day care, including feeding, changing diapers, and helping children with toilet training. Ensuring a safe, clean, and stimulating environment.
* Developing and leading fun, age-appropriate activities that promote learning and development across social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills.
* Observing children’s development and identifying any concerns. Supporting motor, language, and social development through play and structured learning.
* Maintaining a safe, emotionally supportive environment that encourages independent exploration and learning.
* Keeping records of each child’s progress, milestones, behaviours, and developmental needs, aligned with the EYFS framework in the UK.
* Maintaining regular communication with parents or guardians about progress, needs, and concerns.
What are we looking for?
* A minimum of a Level 3 Early Years Qualification.
* A strong understanding of safeguarding procedures.
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 applying.
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 Children's Barred List.
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