Nursery Practitioner
Little Leopards Nursery – The Dixie Grammar School
Salary: £27,080 – £28,080 per annum
About the Role
Little Leopards Nursery is looking for a warm, passionate and dedicated Nursery Practitioner to join our Early Years team.
Working with children aged 6 months to 4 years, you will play an important role in providing high-quality care, education and nurturing support in a safe, stimulating and welcoming environment.
You will help create a genuine “home-from-home” environment, supporting each child's individual development while delivering engaging, play-based learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality care, education and support for children aged 6 months to 4 years.
- Plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate activities that encourage learning and development.
- Support children's physical, emotional, social and educational needs.
- Act as a Key Person, building strong relationships with children and monitoring their development and progress.
- Maintain accurate observations, assessments and developmental records.
- Create a safe, clean, stimulating and well-resourced environment both indoors and outdoors.
- Build positive and professional relationships with parents and carers, providing regular feedback on children's progress.
- Work closely with Room Leaders, the Nursery Management Team and wider Junior School staff.
- Follow all safeguarding, health and safety, hygiene and child protection procedures.
- Attend staff meetings, training, parents' evenings and wider school events where required.
- Contribute positively to the warm, community-focused ethos of The Dixie Grammar School.
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education or an equivalent recognised EYFS qualification.
- Experience working with or caring for children aged 0–5 years. Placement experience will be considered for apprentices.
- GCSE English and Maths or equivalent.
- A genuine passion for childcare and early years education.
- A warm, nurturing and empathetic approach.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- A good understanding of child development and safeguarding.
- A positive, flexible and professional attitude.
Level 2 qualified candidates with a strong passion for childcare and a desire to progress their career will also be considered.
Desirable:
- Paediatric First Aid qualification.
- Experience working within a private day nursery or independent school.
- Experience working with babies and toddlers, particularly under-2s.
- Practical knowledge of the EYFS and Ofsted/ISI requirements.
- Experience using digital learning journals such as Tapestry or nursery management software.
- Knowledge of positive behaviour management techniques.
Why Join Us?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive Early Years team within an established independent school environment, where you will be encouraged to develop professionally and make a genuine difference to children's early experiences.
We are looking for someone who is caring, enthusiastic, reliable and passionate about helping young children learn, grow and thrive.
Safeguarding
The Dixie Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful applicant will be required to undergo appropriate safer recruitment checks, including references and an Enhanced DBS check.
Our Nursery School is the first stage of education at the Dixie Grammar School and provides children with an outstanding start to their learning and school journey. The Nursery is situated on the ground floor of the main house with four spacious, bright, well-equipped rooms. With a large, safe and secure outdoor area, children learn and play outdoors and in, as well as taking advantage of the wider facilities around the Junior School such as the library, computer suite and sports facilities.
Highly skilled and experienced staff ensure children learn within an engaging and exciting curriculum, where fun, curiosity and imagination are nurtured all day, every day. Our children also benefit from trying new activities at an early age including Music, PE, Forest School and French lessons, all taught by specialist teachers on a weekly basis.
Our Nursery (also known as 'Pippins') has a strong reputation in the local area with visitors and parents often commenting on the warm, nurturing environment they find here. In our most recent ISI inspection it was noted that the children are 'motivated and enthusiastic learners' and they 'make excellent progress relative to their ability and needs'.
Autumn 2026 will see us extend our provision to look after babies and toddlers from 6 months. Our facilities are being re-purposed for our 'Little Leopards' Nursery with rooms for 6-24 month olds, 2-3 year olds and 3 years plus. Please see these dedicated pages to learn more.
Nothing can demonstrate our Nursery better than the children themselves and we welcome visits and tours throughout term time. Please contact us for further information and we will happily show you around.