Early Years Practitioner - Level 2+

Help shape young lives and build your future with the YMCA!

At the YMCA Fairthorne Group, we believe that everyone should have a fair chance to discover who they are and what they can become. Our approach to early years education is rooted in the belief that every child is unique, and it’s our privilege to support them on their journey of self-discovery and growth, nurturing futures every step of the way.

We know that the first few years of a child's life are some of the most important, which is why we're looking for passionate and caring Early Year's Practitioners to join our dedicated team. 

Whether you're an experienced Practitioner or looking to further develop your career in Early Years, the YMCA offers a supportive environment where your contribution is valued, your wellbeing matters and your professional development is encouraged.

If you’re passionate about early childhood education and ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you! Join us in nurturing futures and creating a brighter tomorrow for all. 

What You'll Receive

• £500 Joining Bonus
• As part of the Early Years Financial Incentive Scheme all eligible new or returning staff will receive £1,000 (funded by the Department for Education) 
• Refer a friend scheme
• Health Cash Plan - including medical and dental support as well as online retail discounts
• Blue Light Card Eligibility
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), increasing with service up to 30 days
• Option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave each year
• Celebration leave for life's special moments
• Enhanced maternity benefits
• Employer pension scheme
• 50 % discount on nursery fees
• Discounts on YMCA day camps, family activities and holidays
• 30 % discount in YMCA cafes
• Employee Wellbeing Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme

About The Role:

As an Early Years Practitioner, you'll help create a warm, stimulating, and safe environment where children aged 4 months to 5 years can flourish.

No two days are ever the same. One moment you might be supporting a baby's first steps, and the next you could be leading a creative outdoor activity, sharing stories, encouraging imaginative play, or helping children develop important social and emotional skills.

You'll build meaningful relationships with children and their families, taking time to understand each child's unique personality, interests, and developmental needs. Through observation, play-based learning, and nurturing interactions, you'll help children gain confidence, curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Working alongside a supportive team, you'll contribute to planning engaging experiences that inspire exploration and support children's development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

What You'll Be Doing

In this rewarding role, you will:

• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and support their emotional wellbeing and development.
• Create engaging indoor and outdoor learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
• Observe children's progress, record developmental milestones, and help plan activities that support their next steps in learning.
• Work closely with parents and carers, sharing achievements and supporting children's individual journeys.
• Ensure children receive high-quality care in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment.
• Contribute to maintaining excellent standards of safeguarding, health and safety, and wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to create a positive and supportive nursery culture.
• Take part in training and development opportunities that enhance your skills and career progression.

Key Responsibilities:

• Promote a nurturing environment whilst engaging with children of all ages and developmental skills, encouraging each child to meet his/her potential by supporting them through learning and play with positive reinforcement and praise.
• Support children, co-workers and parents alike; deliver stimulating indoor and outdoor activities; complete and record daily observations for children in your care; and plan their next developmental steps in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Comply with policies and procedures outlined by the setting.
• Attend training opportunities for personal and professional development as well as the development of the organisation.
• Assist in ensuring that the Nursery is a safe environment for children.
• Embrace the variety of each day, use initiative to keep children engaged and support their emotional needs as they arise.

What We're Looking For:

We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys working with young children and understands the important role early years education plays in shaping future outcomes.

Based on this we are ideally looking for someone who has:

• A Level 3 Childcare qualification (or relevant experience within an Early Years setting)
• A good understanding of child development and the Early Years Foundation stage
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices and a commitment to promoting children's welfare
• Awareness of health and safety requirements within an Early Years environment
• A caring, patient and positive approach
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Paediatric First Aid qualification or a willingness to undertake training

Grow Your Career With The YMCA

At the YMCA, we're passionate about investing in our people. We actively support personal and professional development and provide opportunities for you to grow throughout your career. 

• As part of our commitment to your development, you'll benefit from:
• Access to 26 online professional development modules
• Opportunities to work across different YMCA settings and share best practice with colleagues
• Ongoing support, training, and career progression opportunities

We'd Love To Hear From You

If you're passionate about giving children the very best start in life and want to join a team that truly values it's people, we'd love to hear from you. 

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed above, we encourage you to apply. We recognise that great practitioners come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and we're committed to helping talented individuals develop and succeed.

Join YMCA Nursery Andover and help us nurture futures, support families, and make a lasting difference in our community.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.

YMCA is an equal opportunities charity committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and able to thrive.