Nursery Practitioners

Nursery Practitioners

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Depending on experience

Closing Date: 27 November 2026

This is a role for someone who enjoys caring for babies and toddlers and can create a safe, stimulating day-to-day environment where each child makes steady developmental progress. You will work 44 hours a week across four days, year-round, as one of two Nursery Practitioners supporting the Junior School nursery at Kent College Canterbury. The role suits practitioners with practical EYFS experience who want a stable, full-time post with clear routines and close partnership with parents and colleagues.

What you'll be doing

•   Provide high-quality, developmentally appropriate care and learning for babies and toddlers in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.

•   Plan, deliver and record play-based activities that promote communication, physical development, personal, social and emotional development.

•   Maintain a safe, hygienic and nurturing environment, including meeting personal care and feeding needs for infants and toddlers.

•   Observe children, keep accurate records of progress, and contribute to assessment and transition information for parents and the school.

•   Work closely with parents, sharing information and responding to concerns to promote continuity of care.

•   Support and motivate other team members during daily routines and handovers; participate in team meetings and training.

•   Liaise with outside professionals when required and follow safeguarding and welfare procedures.

What we're looking for

Essential

•   Practical experience working directly with children under five in an early years or nursery setting.

•   A relevant early years qualification (e.g. Level 3 or equivalent) or demonstrable recent, supervised experience with infants and toddlers.

•   Good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and experience of planning and observing for progress.

•   Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work as part of a small team, and confidence in communicating with parents.

•   Willingness to undergo and clear enhanced DBS and other pre-employment checks.

Desirable

•   Experience working in an independent school or within a Nursery attached to a junior school.

•   First aid qualification for young children, paediatric training, or other relevant CPD.

About the team or department

You will join the Junior School nursery team at Kent College Canterbury, working alongside qualified nursery staff to care for children from nursery age through to Year 6 across the Junior School campus. The Junior School has around 200 pupils and sits on a 14-acre campus; the nursery team places emphasis on individualised programmes so children flourish at their own pace.

What we offer

•   Free on-site parking

•   Free lunch during term time

•   Cycle to work scheme

•   A supportive school environment with opportunities for relevant training and professional development

About us

Kent College Canterbury is a co-educational school with a Methodist foundation, located in Canterbury and approximately one hour by train from central London. The Junior School caters from Nursery to Year 6; the school was graded as excellent in all categories in the ISI inspection of October 2022.

Kent College Canterbury is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, qualifications, experience checks, medical clearance, enhanced DBS checks, social media checks, and documentary evidence showing your entitlement to work in the UK.

How to Apply

Applications must be made via Kent College's online application system; CVs or details sent directly to the department or via email cannot be considered.

Equal Opportunities

Kent College staff and pupils are proud to be part of a welcoming international boarding community. We value diversity and promote equality at all levels, and we are passionate about attracting a diverse pool of applications through an inclusive appointment process. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of this process for any candidate with a disability. We warmly welcome applications from professionals of all backgrounds and communities, regardless of ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion, and we particularly encourage applicants who identify as Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic groups as these groups are currently underrepresented in our community.

Please note that we may prioritise applications from current Kent College redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.