Early Years Educator (Practitioner) at Kennet Day Nursery

Are you looking for a rewarding post working with young children? Then join our Day Nursery. As an ‘Outstanding’ workplace day nursery for Reading Borough Council, we strive to make every moment count for our children and families. Situated in the heart of Reading our busy day nursery reflects this diverse community.

Our Nursery offers great opportunities for professional development within a well-resourced, Early Years environment. Our Kennet family will support you and allow you to demonstrate your ability to support our children to development, through playful, fun activities that excite the children to learn.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

We are looking to appoint an Early Years Educator to work as part of our nursery team, with a warm caring attitude and infectious enthusiasm and commitment to achieving best practice and improved outcomes for all children. You will be responsible for the delivery of our ‘learning through play’ educational ethos and bespoke curriculum.

You will have thorough knowledge of how children learn and develop and the ability to plan for the next steps in learning is essential. You will be committed to providing enjoyable high-quality play and learning opportunities, within the framework of the EYFS, and to working in partnership with parents.

About you

• You will need to have a warm and caring attitude.


• You should be creative, dynamic and a good communicator with a flexible, positive approach to your work.


• Applicants should hold a relevant Level 2/3 Early Years qualification or equivalent.


• The ideal candidate will have a good working knowledge of the EYFS and demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding and providing childcare in a non-discriminatory and inclusive manner.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.

Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading


• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)


• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)


• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted


• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work


• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For further information, or to arrange a visit to the Nursery, please contact 0118 937 2509.

Closing Date: 30th April 2024

Interviews: To be confirmed

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.