Early Years Practitioner

Early Years Teacher

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Location: Barnes, London

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Setting: Little Navigators Nursery

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Hours: Full-time

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Salary: £32,000 - 34,000 gross per annum

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About the Nursery\n

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Little Navigators is a calm, attachment-informed nursery, created by a Play Therapist. We offer a nurturing, child-led environment where children feel safe, understood, and confident to explore the world around them.

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Our approach blends strong relationships, thoughtful environments, and a deep respect for each child’s emotional development.

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Role Overview\n

We are looking for a warm, reliable and enthusiastic Early Years Teacher to join our team. You will support the day-to-day care of children, helping to create a safe, engaging and emotionally attuned environment.

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This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is passionate about early years and wants to be part of a reflective, supportive and values-led setting.

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Teaching & Learning\n

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• Lead high-quality teaching through play and meaningful interactions.
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• Plan and deliver engaging learning experiences that reflect children's interests and developmental needs.
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• Use observations and assessment to support children's individual learning journeys.
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• Adapt experiences to ensure all children, including those with SEND and EAL, can fully participate.
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• Promote children's communication, language and early literacy through everyday interactions.
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Relationships & Wellbeing\n

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• Act as a key person, building secure, trusting relationships with children and their families.
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• Support children's emotional wellbeing through co-regulation and responsive, relationship-centred practice.
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• Foster children's independence, confidence and self-esteem.
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Curriculum\n

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• Implement the Little Navigators curriculum with consistency and creativity.
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• Contribute to the ongoing development of the curriculum, learning environments and teaching strategies.
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• Ensure experiences reflect the nursery's values and educational philosophy.
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Assessment & Documentation\n

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• Complete high-quality observations and assessments.
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• Monitor children's progress and identify any additional support needs.
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• Work alongside external professionals where appropriate.
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Family Partnerships\n

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• Build strong partnerships with parents and carers.
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• Share children's learning and development through meaningful communication.
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• Contribute to parent meetings, transition arrangements and nursery events.
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Professional Practice\n

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• Model excellent practice and support less experienced colleagues.
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• Participate in reflective practice, supervision and ongoing professional development.
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• Maintain accurate records in line with EYFS and nursery policies.
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• Take responsibility for the organisation and presentation of the learning environment.
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What We’re Looking For

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Essential:

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• A genuine love of working with young children
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• Warm, patient and emotionally attuned approach
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• Reliable, proactive and a strong team player
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• Good communication skills
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• Previous experience in a nursery or early years setting
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• Level 3 qualification (or working towards)
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Desirable:

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• Interest in child development, attachment or therapeutic approaches
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Salary & Benefits\n

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• £32,000 - £34,000 per annum
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• 26 days annual leave (+ extra day for each year served up to 5 years)
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• Nursery closed between Christmas and New Year (additional to annual leave)
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• Wellbeing support and supervision embedded into staff culture
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• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
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• Employee Referral Bonus – Know someone great? Refer them and earn £250 when they join
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Safeguarding\n

Little Navigators is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All staff are expected to share this commitment.

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• Enhanced DBS check required
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• References and suitability checks will be carried out
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Why Join Us

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Be part of a nursery that prioritises relationships, emotional wellbeing and thoughtful practice - where both children and staff feel supported, valued and able to thrive.

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