Early Years Practitioner

Ruskin House School are looking for a great team player with proven recent experience of working in a Preschool/Nursery setting to join their thriving nursery with a real family feel.

Ruskin House Day Nursery based in Lambeth, South London, has a strong family atmosphere and prepares children exceptionally well for their first steps towards primary schools. We pride ourselves on keeping our practice reflective and up to date, so that we can provide the best opportunities for every child, every day. We also celebrate the diversity of our community, carefully considering and respecting the variety of cultures, backgrounds, and individual needs, and are passionate about continual provision and child-initiated learning inside and outside. We offer shift work between the hours of 7am-7pm for all our nursery staff.

About the role

Working under the direction of the Nursery Manager, you will play a vital role in the organisation of a high-quality, vibrant and friendly establishment for children. Indeed, we will require you to work collaboratively with other staff within the nursery, ensure we provide high standards of care and early learning and regularly monitor and review our provision. Essentially, you will see that children have a safe, caring environment that enables their personal, emotional, social and educational development through individual attention and group activities. And, along the way, you will need to develop effective partnerships with parents/carers in order to increase involvement in their child’s development.

About you

To succeed, you will need NVQ Level 3 in Child Care and Education or equivalent as a minimum. You will also need knowledge of appropriate First Aid procedures and ideally hold a Paediatric first aid qualification. Practical experience of implementing good quality learning opportunities is also essential, as is the ability to co-ordinate in a specific specialist area, e.g., SENCO. Confident in your ability to develop positive relationships with colleagues, parents and children, you are committed to the protection and safeguarding of children too. What’s more, you work well under pressure and on your own initiative, are great at prioritising and value and respect the views and needs of children.

The benefits

In addition to playing an important role in a growing business that’s financially strong and has an ambitious growth agenda, you will receive a competitive salary and annual salary review. There will also be ample professional development and training opportunities, including ongoing coaching from the management team, with the prospect of career and salary progression as our business grows. Other benefits include: 

• Childcare fee discount

• Pension scheme

• 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, increasing with up to 33 days 

• Refer a friend bonus of £750

• A comprehensive health cash plan 

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Westfield rewards (discounts from various high street and online outlets)

The successful candidate will also benefit from joining a fun, supportive, creative team and to be part of the grand annual Christmas event.

Interested candidates should send an application at the earliest possible time .

Ruskin House Day Nursery is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, as all new staff will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance, identity checks, qualification checks and employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps within employment, two satisfactory references and registration with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).