LEVEL 3 PRACTITIONER

A Level 3 Nursery Practitioner provides high-quality care and education for children, usually from birth to 5 years old, while supporting their learning, development, and wellbeing in a safe and nurturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

\n
• Plan and deliver engaging activities that support children's learning and development.
\n
• Ensure children's safety, health, and wellbeing at all times.
\n
• Observe, assess, and record children's progress in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
\n
• Build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.
\n
• Support children's emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development.
\n
• Maintain a clean, safe, and stimulating learning environment.
\n
• Follow safeguarding, health and safety, and nursery policies and procedures.
\n
• Work as a key person for a group of children, providing individual support and communicating with parents.
\n

Essential Qualifications:

\n
• Level 3 Early Years Educator or an equivalent childcare qualification.
\n
• Knowledge of the EYFS framework.
\n
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
\n
• Paediatric First Aid (often required or desirable).
\n
• Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain one, depending on the employer).
\n

Key Skills:

\n
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
\n
• Patience, empathy, and enthusiasm for working with children.
\n
• Teamwork and the ability to work independently.
\n
• Good observation and record-keeping skills.
\n
• Creativity in planning fun and educational activities.
\n
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
\n

Typical Working Hours:

\n
• Usually 30–40 hours per week, with shifts between approximately 7:30 am and 6:30 pm, depending on the nursery.
\n

Career Progression:

With experience, a Level 3 Nursery Practitioner can progress to roles such as:

\n
• Room Leader
\n
• Deputy Nursery Manager
\n
• Nursery Manager
\n
• Early Years Teacher (with further qualifications)
\n
• SEND or safeguarding specialist within early years settings
\n