Job Description Early Years Practitioner - Qualified Maternity Cover initially but offering a permanent contract - Can be placed at another Acorn Nursery on completion of maternity cover Acorn Early Years – Castlethorpe Nursery If you are offered an EYP role, you will received a £500 recruitment bonus after successfully completing your 3 month probation period. Acorn Early Years is looking for a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Practitioner to join our friendly and supportive team at Castlethorpe Nursery. You must have a full & relevant Early Years Qualification. Minimum Level 2. This is a fantastic opportunity for an early years professional who is passionate about delivering high‑quality care and education in a nurturing, child‑centred environment. Castlethorpe nursery is a lovely converted chapel situated in a quiet village a few miles north of Milton Keynes. It was the first Acorn nursery to open and was established in 1989. We offer full and part-time care for up to 36 children from the age of four months to four years, and are open from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. Acorn places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and the children enjoy play outside in all weathers, the nursery has an enclosed garden which the children have free flow access too. Pre-school children develop their outdoor learning at regular Forest School sessions, which take place at nearby Salcey Forest with Acorn’s fully qualified Forest School Leaders. We offer a range of activities during the week, including interactive story sessions and forest school. There are lovely places to visit around the village, such as the church, Castlethorpe mounds, sports grounds and parks, which the children visit regularly. The nursery has a close relationship with the adjoining school, where our Oak children visit the school library each week It’s not just the children who have all the fun at Acorn. We organise events on a regular basis to help parents meet each other, share experiences and talk to us. Some events are an opportunity to discuss children’s progress and development with the staff. About the Role As an Early Years Practitioner, you will play an important role in supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing. You will work as part of a committed team to create engaging learning environments, deliver high‑quality interactions and ensure every child feels safe, valued and supported to reach their full potential. Key Responsibilities Quality of Care & Practice Support a holistic approach to the EYFS curriculum Meet the individual care and learning needs of children Deliver high‑quality interactions that support children’s development Promote positive behaviour in line with Acorn policies and procedures Follow and extend children’s interests through appropriate teaching methods Support planning in the moment and contribute to observations and assessments Promote children’s independence and physical development Monitor children’s progress and support next steps in learning Environment & Resources Help create rich, stimulating learning environments indoors and outdoors Ensure resources and equipment are accessible, safe and well maintained Support first‑hand learning experiences that meet the needs of all children Key Person & Partnerships Act as an effective key person, building strong relationships with children and families Value parents as partners and communicate professionally and positively Complete accurate and timely documentation, including observations, care plans, accident forms, transitions and two‑year checks (where applicable) Teamwork & Professional Responsibilities Work collaboratively as part of a supportive team Support colleagues when needed, including less experienced practitioners Share relevant information with room teams and senior staff Reflect Acorn’s ethos, values, policies and procedures in daily practice Safeguard all children and follow safeguarding procedures at all times Support the smooth running of the room in the absence of senior staff when required What We’re Looking For A good working knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements A warm, calm and child‑centred approach Strong communication skills with children, parents and colleagues A genuine passion for early years care and education Confidence to role model positive behaviour and best practice Ability to work flexibly as part of a team Why Join Acorn Early Years? At Acorn, we are passionate about creating inclusive, nurturing environments where children and staff thrive. We value our teams and actively support professional development and progression. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process. Safeguarding & Compliance Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Benefits As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer: Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually 65% Childcare discount Pro-rata according to contracted hours Generous family leave Christmas closure 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more) 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans Enhanced pension scheme Cyclescheme Techscheme Length of Service awards Summer and Christmas parties Pay advances for when times are tough Employee assistance wellbeing programme Nursery Name Acorn Day Nursery Castlethorpe