Senior Nursery Practitioner

Byfleet, Surrey
Family First Nursery Group

Nursery Third in Charge – Cherrywood Nursery
Location: Cemetery Pales, Pirbright, GU24 0JT
Contract: Permanent 34 hours per week
Hourly Rate: £13.72

Welcome Bonus: £1,000 (paid after 6 months)
Qualification Bonus: £400 (paid after 6 months)

Lead with Heart at Cherrywood Nursery

Step into a leadership role where your experience and passion for early years education will truly shine. Cherrywood Nursery, located in the picturesque village of Pirbright, offers a modern, open-plan setting with exceptional facilities designed to spark curiosity and nurture development.

Our standout features include:

• A calming sensory room and exciting soft play area
• Expansive outdoor gardens with a vegetable patch, sensory garden, and outdoor learning spaces
• A dedicated outdoor classroom with climbing frames
• Five age-specific rooms with tailored resources
• A cosy sleep room and modern changing/toileting facilities
• On-site kitchen with fresh, homemade meals prepared daily

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• £1,000 Welcome Bonus – A warm and rewarding start
• £400 Qualification Bonus – Celebrate your Level 3 expertise after 6 months
• Generous Annual Leave – 24 days + your birthday off + bank holidays
• Childcare Discount – 75% off nursery fees for your own children
• Health & Wellbeing Support – Confidential helpline access
• Career Development – Tailored training and clear progression pathways
• Pension Scheme – Competitive and secure
• Referral Bonuses – Help us grow and earn rewards
• Free Onsite Parking
• Team Events & Celebrations – Socials, team-building, and fun throughout the year
• Career Progression Opportunities – Within a supportive and forward-thinking nursery group

Your Role as Nursery Third in Charge

• Lead by example, creating enriching experiences and environments for children
• Support the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of every child
• Guide and mentor staff, ensuring high-quality observations and learning journals via EyLog
• Promote a strong key person approach and help identify training needs
• Maintain accurate records using EyMan and ensure compliance with EYFS
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, staff, and families at all times
• Act as a role model, demonstrating professionalism, consistency, and care

Note: Duties may evolve to meet the needs of the nursery.

What We’re Looking For

• Full and relevant Level 3 Childcare Qualification – Essential
• 1+ year experience in Early Years – Essential
• 6+ months in a senior role – Desirable
• Knowledge of EYFS & Ofsted standards – Desirable
• Montessori experience – Desirable
• Fluent in written and spoken English – Essential

️ Safeguarding Commitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and thorough vetting procedures.

Ready to take the next step in your early years career? Apply now and become a key part of our Cherrywood family!

Cherrywood is part of the Family First Group where we take great care to treat everyone as a person, with equal rights and responsibilities to any other individual, whether they are an adult or a child. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families according to their individual needs. Discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within the Family First Group.