Nursery Assistant

Description

Nursery Assistant (Level 3)

Eastbourne, East Sussex

£13.68 - £14.50 per hour (salary is depending on experience and/or qualifications and will be discussed at registration)

Full time (40 hours)

ASAP – ongoing

About Us

Our Nursery in Eastbourne offers nurturing, homely childcare for children aged 7 months to 8 years, operating year‑round from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, except bank holidays and one week over Christmas. We pride ourselves on providing home‑cooked meals, a sensory room, a baby area, indoor and outdoor creative zones, and a large garden with forest‑school style play.

Job Summary

As a qualified Level 3 Nursery Assistant, you will work closely under the Room Leader to support children’s development across our mixed‑age rooms. Your focus will be on delivering high‑quality, inclusive care following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

Key Responsibilities

Help create and sustain a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment indoors and outdoors.

Assist in planning and delivering EYFS-compliant activities that develop physical, emotional, social and intellectual skills.

Establish positive interactions with children during play, offering appropriate challenge and encouragement.

Act as a Key Person for a small group: observing, assessing, recording progress and contributing to learning journals or Tapestry, including statutory 2-year progress checks.

Support personal care routines, including nappy changing, toileting and hygiene, in line with our hygiene standards.

Prepare, maintain and tidy playrooms and resources; support the nursery’s warm, home‑like appearance.

Communicate regularly with parents and carers, sharing updates about their child’s day, development and interests.

Maintain essential records: daily registers, medication, accidents, risk assessments, care plans, etc.

Contribute to room team decisions, help across rooms when needed, and be a role model for good practice.

Deputise for the Room Leader during absences when required.

Participate in in‑the‑moment planning, team reflection meetings, training and setting‑wide events.

Safeguarding & Welfare Responsibilities

Understand and uphold Ofsted welfare requirements and Elmerton safeguarding policies.

Be proactive in identifying and reporting concerns; work under guidance from our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Maintain the highest standards of hygiene, cleanliness and food safety in nappy‑changing and meal areas.

Person Specification

Essential:

Level 3 qualification in childcare or early years (e.g. NVQ 3, CACHE, Diploma) recognised by Ofsted

Strong working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and child development for ages 0–5

Experience in a nursery or early years setting.

Excellent communication skills; confident working with children, colleagues and parents.

Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and high‑quality early education.

Desirable:

Paediatric first aid, food hygiene, and Level 3 safeguarding training.

Experience working with SEND children or those with individual care needs.

Progress towards or intention to pursue Level 4/5 early years qualifications.

Working Hours & Benefits

Full‑time role (approx. 40 hours/week) between 7:30 am–5:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Some flexibility may be required for early/late shifts.

Holiday entitlement, sick pay, and eligibility to join the workplace pension scheme after three months.

Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Experience the warm, inclusive atmosphere and home‑cooked meals valued by families and staff alike.

What we offer:

As a Nursery Assistant, part of our team, you benefit from:

Excellent daily rates paid using the PAYE system.

Guaranteed pay scheme (subject to availability).

Social and networking events.

Pension contributions.

CPD to help with your professional development.

Access to a dedicated consultant.

About us:

The Edwin Group is a Top 10 UK-employer in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. Rated as 'Excellent' by our staff in all categories and recognised as having industry leading and world-class levels of employee engagement across the Group.

We are a market-leading education supply agency committed to the development of young people. With branches across the country, we are an employer of choice for high quality educators.

We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

How to apply:

If you are a Nursery Assistant who can enthuse, motivate and engage learners and would like the challenge of working in a rewarding environment, then we want to hear from you.

Apply today via this website, or for more information about this role and other opportunities call us on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)

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Ad ID: 5417112367