Early Years Practitioner, First Steps Nursery (SPH)
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Job Summary
The Trust nurseries are looking for kind, thoughtful, enthusiastic and loyal Early Years Practitioners to provide and enhance good quality care to an established and popular work place day nursery, within the grounds of St Peter's Hospital. The Trust has two nurseries and you will be required on occasions to work across site, although the post will be primarily based at St. Peter's Hospital.
The Trust is a forward‑thinking organisation that supports NHS staff by providing quality, affordable day care for employees. Parents can return to work knowing their children are being well cared for by a highly professional and approachable team.
Our nurseries provide excellent day care for 158 children across sites per day aged between 3 months and 5 years. A play scheme runs for 24 children aged between 4 years and 10 years 11 months during all school holidays on the St. Peter's site.
We continually review our practice to provide a caring and stimulating environment. Each dedicated team member is part of this by planning activities following the New Early Years Foundation Stage, caring for the children, and sharing positive feedback with parents verbally and in writing.
Main Duties of the Job
* The postholder will be a Key worker to a designated group of children, providing a stimulating, caring and learning environment for children of all ages.
* Enable you to give positive feedback to parents about their children's development.
Job Responsibilities
* To be aware of and act appropriately on Trust Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures.
* Under the direction of the Advanced Early Years Practitioner, assist in the day‑to‑day running of the nursery in accordance with all Trust and Nursery policies and procedures.
* Maintain and develop good practice within the nursery by sharing responsibility in offering a stimulating environment for the children in your care, ensuring contribution of ideas covering the New Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), so that each child can develop to the appropriate age and stage of development. Through observations on your key children produce individual short and medium‑term development plans.
* As a key worker to a designated group of children, be responsible for the documentation of the children's Learning Journeys, enabling you to provide positive feedback to parents.
* Engage in all physical aspects of the children's health, well‑being, care and play (e.g., lifting, running, bending, sitting on the floor).
* Develop links with parents and encourage parental participation within the nursery, being understanding and receptive to parents' wishes and offering encouragement and advice when appropriate.
* Be aware of the confidential aspects of work, treating all confidential information relating to the children, parents, staff and professional contacts in a manner that protects the individual.
* Follow all guidelines regarding the administration of medication as well as the daily health and safety checks made within the nursery.
* Attend regular team meetings and annual staff training to maintain all statutory training including Safeguarding Children and Adults, Information Governance, Health and Safety, Manual Handling, Equal Opportunities, Hand Hygiene and Fire Training.
Person Specification
* Qualifications and Further Training: NVQ3 in Childcare and Education.
* Experience: Previous experience working with children 3 months to 5 years.
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 to submit a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Job Details
* Pay scheme: Agenda for Change.
* Band: Band 3.
* Salary: £26,240 to £27,928 a year (incl. HCAS).
* Contract: Permanent.
* Working pattern: Full‑time.
* Reference number: 323-ACS6565-JN-C.
* Job location: St. Peter's Hospital, Guildford Road, Chertsey, KT16 0PZ.
* Date posted: 16 October 2025.
Employer Details
Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
St. Peter's Hospital
Guildford Road
Chertsey
KT16 0PZ
Website: https://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/
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