Job summary
- Main area
- Nursery Little Dragons
- Grade
- Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 371-CS420
- Employer
- Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Nursery Little Dragons
- Town
- Reading
- Salary
- £25,272 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 14/10/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 21/10/2026
Employer heading
Nursery Assistant
Band 2
Job overview
We are looking for a qualified Level 2 Nursery Assistant to join our team.
Who are we: We are 57-59 Bath Road Nursery located within Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. We pride ourselves on nurturing a positive and supportive environment for our children, and we are looking for a part-time Nursery Nurse, Level 3 qualified to join us on a part-time basis.
Working hours: Working hours: Our shifts are 8 hours a day i.e. 7.30am -3.30pm, 8am-4pm, 9am-5pm, 10am-6pm – Closed weekends, Bank holidays and the week at Christmas. Shifts tend to be different each day, and we have 30-minute lunch break.
Your role:
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You will be responsible for a group of children, providing daily care, activities, and completing developmental reviews.
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You will support children from 6 months to reception age, ensuring high standards of care and learning in a safe, stimulating environment, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
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You will support and inspire children to become independent, creative, and confident individuals. By planning engaging and stimulating activities, you will help children achieve their full potential. Also building strong relationships with parents is essential.
*Applications for this role will be considered on a first come first serve basis and we may close the vacancy early if the right candidate is found
Main duties of the job
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Encouraging all areas of the children’s development within Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with the appropriate activities, play opportunities and actions through imaginative play and innovative programming.
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Compiling and maintaining development records on children and report to the Team Leader at agreed intervals.
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Providing a stimulating, friendly and caring environment at all times.
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Demonstrating good practice with regards to special needs and inclusion, working with the nursery and area SENCO as appropriate.
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Being a key carer carrying out all related responsibilities in building relationships with a small group of children and their families.
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Working with Early Years and other professional teams to continuously improve the quality of childcare and education and to learn about current developments in childcare practice and policy.
Working for our organisation
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust sites
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The “must haves” for this role:
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NVQ level 3 in childcare or equivalent qualification in line with those listed on the ‘qualification finder’ section of www.education.gov.uk
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An understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage
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A knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection.
Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.
In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.
We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Rebecca Croft Nursery Manager on 0118 9044638 or contact her at rebecca.croft@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note: This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current UK immigration rules. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK
Person specification
Education, qualifications or training
Essential criteria
- NVQ 2 in childcare or equivalent qualification in line with those listed on the ‘qualification finder’ section of www.education.gov.uk
- NVQ 2 in childcare or equivalent qualification in line with those listed on the ‘qualification finder’ section of www.education.gov.uk
Continuous Professional Development
Essential criteria
- As stated in the EYFS, a good standard of written and spoken English. Also able to read and understand English such as to follow instructions or interpret a policy ification finder’ section of www.education.gov.uk
- A knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection and appropriate protocol
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable criteria
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate
- Food Hygiene Certificate
- Working towards an NVQ 3 in childcare or equivalent qualification in line with those listed on the ‘qualification finder’ section of www.education.gov.uk
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of any work which demonstrates the skills required for the post
- Experience of teamwork
- Previous relevant work in childcare
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential criteria
- Good communication skills
- An understanding of the role of the Key Person
- Knowledge of inclusive practice
Additional Requirements
Essential criteria
- Flexible approach to hours which includes a willingness to attend meetings, training and nursery events as appropriate
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rebecca Croft
- Job title
- Nursery Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0118 9044638
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