Be kind. have fun. be you
At Norcot Early Years Centre, our values of nurture, inclusion and kindness guide us to create a welcoming, stimulating and fun environment where everyone is treated as an individual. We are committed to providing meaningful opportunities and to celebrate diversity. We ensure every child can learn, grow, feel valued and belong.
Early Years Practitioner (Full time) - Norcot Early Years Centre
Salary: £24,790 to £27,269 Per year
37 Hours per week - Permanent
Norcot Early Years Centre is seeking an enthusiastic, Level 3 qualified Early Years Practitioner to join our dedicated team at the Waterside Day Care building. This is a permanent position, available for an immediate start.
This is a full-time post offered as either early/late shift on alternate weeks or compressed over 4 days.
Early shift is 7.40am to 4.00pm, late shift is 9.55am to 6.15pm with an hour for lunch break.
Compressed hours over 4 days starts at 7.40am and finishes at 6pm with an hour for lunch break.
Working in early years and childcare is more than just a job - it's a chance to make a real difference. Every day brings new moments of joy as you support children through the earliest and most important stages of their learning and development. You'll help shape their future while being inspired by their curiosity, creativity, and growth.
As a keyworker, you'll build strong, nurturing relationships with your group of children, supporting their individual needs through thoughtful planning and meaningful interactions. You'll be part of a friendly, experienced team, working together to deliver the revised EYFS and maintain high standards of care and education. Through play and positive role modelling, you'll create engaging, inclusive learning experiences that spark imagination and help every child thrive.
Our Benefits
At Norcot Early Years Centre, we're proud to offer a supportive, rewarding, and inclusive place to work, where every member of staff is valued for the difference they make. We offer a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally.
What we offer:
• A vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming environment - where passionate, dedicated staff work together to support and educate children with a wide range of needs and abilities.
• A strong, professional team - backed by an experienced and approachable Senior Management Team who are committed to your success.
• Excellent community partnerships - working closely with families, governors, and the wider community to create the best possible outcomes for children.
• Comprehensive training and development - Safeguarding, Health & Safety, First Aid, Food safety, Prevent, Fraud Awareness, GDPR, Equality, Cyber Security within the induction period, further regular continuous opportunities for professional growth.
• Career progression opportunities - with support for further qualifications and development within the Centre and the wider Council.
• 60% staff discount on childcare fees - subject to availability within the nursery school or day care.
• A genuine commitment to staff wellbeing - with a culture that values balance, recognition, and care for every team member.
Plus, as part of Reading Borough Council, you'll have access to a generous benefits package including:
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for LGPS members).
• One paid wellbeing day per year (pro rata) to support your work-life balance.
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey to and from work.
• Lease Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme - lease a brand new, greener car for three years, with insurance, servicing and road tax included in the monthly fee.
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - offering professional advice and emotional support whenever you need it.
• Cycle to Work Scheme and other local discounts via the Council's staff benefits portal.
• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service. ( calculated in pay for TTO positions)
The successful candidate will:
Have a good working knowledge of the revised EYFS and demonstrate a commitment to providing childcare in a non-discriminatory and inclusive manner.
• Have experience of working with SEND children or have an interest in working with SEND children.
• Have experience of working with children aged 2 to 4 years old and in the delivery of high quality childcare and education.
• Be creative, dynamic and a good communicator and be a team player.
• Have a flexible approach to your work with a warm, caring attitude.
This Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to provide satisfactory background checks, references and an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought.
We have a strong commitment to inclusion and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safer recruitment practises.
Please do not send a C.V. For the purposes of Equal Opportunities we can only accept Reading Borough Council application forms.
An application form and recruitment pack can be found online at Reading Borough Council under the jobs link.
For further details about the post or to arrange a visit, please contact Waterside office:
or email or visit:
No agencies please, we are a local authority employer
The advert will close when a suitable candidate has been appointed.