Childcare Practitioner

For further information about this role, please contact Sarah Hendley (Nursery Manager) via:

Telephone: 01924 543039

Email: sarah.hendley1@nhs.net

About The Role

An opportunity has arisen to join the team at Abacus Nursery as a full time Childcare Practitioner.

You Will Be Required

• To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
• To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the children’s cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
• To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
• Day to day safety and security of the nursery including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
• Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted.
• Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the children’s welfare, development and health and social care.
  
  

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Main duties

• To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
• To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the children’s cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
• To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
• Day to day safety and security of the nursery including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
• Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted.
• Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the children’s welfare, development and health and social care.
• As a child’s key person ensure effective communication links with team members and other professionals for example Area Senco, Health Visitor, Child Protection Nurse, Therapist, and Educational Specialist.
• Work closely with colleagues and the Nursery Manager/Deputy Nursery Managers to ensure the high quality standards are maintained. This will be done on a daily basis and through monthly staff meetings, quality improvement meetings and team meetings.
• To be responsible for the entire child’s personal care during the nursery day including feeding, changing nappies, or soiled clothing, special dietary requirement, sterilization of feeding, and play equipment.
  
  

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Qualifications

Essential person specification requirements

• English GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent
• Level 3 in Childcare Qualification
• Paediatric First Aid
• Food Safety Certificate Level 2
  
  

Experience

• Post qualifying work experience with under 5’s
• Experience of working with a tablet/PC observation and assessment record system
  
  

Knowledge and Awareness

• Knowledge of the Ofsted’s Statutory Framework for Early Years and the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures
• Knowledge of the Prevent Duty
• Awareness of own limitations
• Knowledge of Health & Safety regulations relating to a childcare environment
  
  

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Be part of MY team

We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.

We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.

If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.

Application Guidance

We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.

Our Benefits

• Access to the NHS pension plan
• Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
• Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
• Extensive benefits and support, including:
• Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Home electronics scheme
• Car lease salary sacrifice scheme
• Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
• Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
• Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
• Career progression, training and support
  
  

Skilled worker sponsorship

You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our .