Lead Practitioner

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.

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:

The Lead Practitioner is a key member of our nursery leadership team, with a prime focus on supporting children across the setting who have any form of additional need or vulnerability.

The job holder will be expected to observe children and, alongside keypersons, identify children in need of additional support, develop individual education plans, make onward referrals, and support and coach nursery teams to embed high standards of care to meet identified needs.

As part of the leadership team, the Lead Practitioner will also contribute towards the wider nursery improvement plan, coach and develop staff and on occasions deputise in the absence of the Nursery Manager. This post is primarily supernumerary with an expectation that the majority of time will be spent working directly with staff and children, in rooms and the garden.

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 5 childcare qualification (or relevant experience within an Early Years setting)
• Experience of implementing improvements in an early years setting, including being able to demonstrate best practice, coach staff, set objectives and keep accurate records
• Experience and understanding of child development, behaviour management, SENCO and identified groups of children
• A good knowledge of matters relating to health and safety
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding 
• A Paediatric First Aid qualification or has the willingness to train
• A Designated Safeguarding Lead qualification (Level 3 or above) or has the willingness to train

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.