How does a three-day weekend every week sound?
Because that's probably the first thing worth knowing about this job.
Tiny Tots Recruitment is looking for a Qualified Early Years Practitioner in Redhill to join an independent nursery where full-time staff normally work their weekly hours across four 10.5-hour shifts rather than five shorter days.
Yes, they're longer days.
But you get three non-working days every week.
For plenty of nursery practitioners, that's a trade-off worth considering.
What you're joining
This is an established independent nursery caring for children from three months to five years, with four separate environments for babies, toddlers, younger preschoolers and children approaching school age.
The approach is strongly individual.
Rather than planning the same activity because everybody happens to be the same age, practitioners are expected to understand their key children's interests, experiences and development and use that knowledge to shape what comes next.
So you'll be doing the real practitioner job:
Building secure relationships with your key children Supporting children across the EYFS Planning interesting experiences rather than repetitive filler activities Observing development and recognising meaningful next steps Supporting children's emotional wellbeing and independence Working closely with parents and carers Helping children through transitions between nursery rooms Creating opportunities for child-led as well as adult-supported learning Maintaining consistently strong safeguarding practice Getting involved in messy play, outdoor experiences, stories, physical activity and everything else a nursery day throws at you One thing this nursery seems to get right
Staff retention.
The nursery talks openly about being proud of how long many members of its team have stayed, and links that retention to staff wellbeing, professional development and progression.
Its current team is also highly qualified. Around 78% of practitioners hold at least a Level 2 or Level 3 early years qualification, while members of the senior team hold early years degrees and foundation degrees.
For someone who wants to keep learning, that's a much better environment than being the only experienced practitioner holding a room together.
The package is strong too
This is one of those vacancies where we don't need to pad the advert with generic nursery benefits.
The employer actually publishes its staff package:
£29,500 to £31,500 per year Full-time, permanent employment Four 10.5-hour shifts per week Three non-working days each week Overtime opportunities Loyalty bonuses after 2, 5 and 10 years' service Refer a Friend bonus of up to £200 £100 annual clothing allowance Childcare discount of up to 100% Company pension Staff benefits and money-saving scheme Fully paid compulsory training and CPD Support to gain further qualifications Birthday celebrations Free drinks on site Paid meal at the monthly team meeting Nursery-funded summer and Christmas staff events Team-building and social events
That's quite a lot more tangible than "competitive benefits package".
Who should apply?
The nursery's current vacancy accepts practitioners with a full and relevant Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification and asks for good knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding and child development.
You'd suit this particularly well if you're someone who:
Wants a permanent nursery home rather than moving every year Values proper CPD and development Likes the idea of compressing full-time hours into four days Is confident working with children aged 0 to 5 Enjoys contributing ideas Wants to work alongside an experienced team Is comfortable building close relationships with families
The nursery also runs additional experiences including yoga, cookery, Spanish, gymnastics, Rugbytots and music sessions, giving practitioners plenty to build on within children's everyday learning.
If you're searching for a Qualified Nursery Practitioner job in Redhill, Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Practitioner role in Surrey or a four-day-week nursery job, this is definitely worth a look.
Apply today through Tiny Tots Recruitment for a confidential conversation about the opportunity.