Senior Nursery Practitioner

Overview

Location:

Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom

Job type:
Full Time Permanent

Working Hours:

Our nursery is open from 6:00am–8:00pm. Staff work on a fair and supportive shift rota. Early starts are balanced with earlier finishes to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Salary: £14.30 Hour

Contracted

Hours:

40 hours per week

At Tops Day Nurseries, we’ve been shaping futures since 1990. As the UK’s largest employee-owned childcare group, we value people as the key to success. When you join us, you become more than an employee—you become a co-owner with a voice, opportunities to grow, and a share in our success.

With over 30 nurseries across the South of England, we provide outstanding early years education and childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. We offer opportunities for Apprenticeship, Nursery practitioners, Nursery Managers & Casual staff. We are always looking for passionate individuals to join us.

We’re proud to be recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025 and one of the Top 10 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK (2024).

Our Senior Nursery Practitioner is an experienced early years professional who provides high-quality care and education to young children while also taking on leadership responsibilities within the nursery. You will serve as a role model to our colleagues and help maintain the standards of care and learning in the nursery.

We also have the same role available in Havant and other locations.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we reward our team for hard work and dedication. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy as part of our family.

• £700 Welcome Bonus to kick-start your journey with us
• Relocation support of up to £3,000 (T&Cs apply)
  Welcome Bonus and Relocation packages are not cumulative
• Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
• Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
• Health & wellbeing support – NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
• A generous holiday allowance – including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!

As well as many more exciting benefits. You can view the full list on our page or Careers website.

• Deliver outstanding childcare that promotes children’s safety, well-being, and development.
• Support children’s learning through age-appropriate activities and play that meet developmental milestones.
• Observe and assess children’s progress and maintain detailed records to ensure that each child’s needs are met.
• Lead and guide nursery practitioners, assistants, and apprentices within the room or nursery.
• Ensure learning activities are tailored to the individual needs of each child and encourage their cognitive, emotional, and social development.
• Assist the Room Manager or Nursery Manager in maintaining the smooth operation of the room or nursery.

• A minimum of a Level 3 Early Years Qualification is required.
• Extensive experience working in a nursery or childcare setting.
• Solid knowledge of the EYFS.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures.

Because this role involves regulated activity with children, all candidates must:

• Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll need to cover the cost.
• Be eligible to work in regulated roles—not on the Children’s Barred List.
• Successfully complete background and reference checks.

At Tops Day Nurseries, we are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

Excited to make a difference? Take the next step in your career and join Tops Day Nurseries.

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