For nurseries
Recruit a nursery nurse
The Level 3 role at the heart of every nursery. Key person to a group of children, responsible for their day, their development records and their families. We find and match; your own vetting, DBS and reference checks run as normal.
What the role covers
- Acting as key person to a group of children, and being their family's first point of contact
- Planning and running activities across the EYFS areas of learning
- Keeping observation and development records, and noticing where a child needs more support
- Personal care, mealtimes, sleep routines and everything else a day actually contains
- Safeguarding: knowing the setting's procedures and being willing to use them
- Counting in ratio at Level 3, which is what most rooms are built around
What to look for
- An approved Level 3 in early years, or Level 2 with Level 3 in progress
- An enhanced DBS on the update service, or willingness to apply for one
- Paediatric first aid, or a setting willing to fund it
- Genuine warmth with children, which cannot be trained and shows within ten minutes
- A reason for wanting a permanent role rather than agency shifts
Guide salary: £27,000 to £30,500 outside London. See how we work these out.
Questions
Hiring a nursery nurse
What should we pay a nursery nurse?
Our 2026 guide puts this role at £27,000 to £30,500 outside London outside London. Settings that advertise below the local band tend to wait considerably longer, which usually costs more than the difference.
How long will it take to fill?
Practitioner and room leader searches usually produce a shortlist within a week and an offer within three to four weeks. Manager and deputy searches run four to six weeks because the field is smaller and notice periods are longer.
Do you place temporary cover for this role?
No. We place permanent staff only.
Get in touch