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Nightingales Nursery

Nightingales has been described as South London’s best kept secret. Tucked away between Clapham South Tube and Clapham Common, we are proof that ‘good things really do come in small packages!’

Since 1994 Nightingales has been providing an exciting learning environment, meeting the individual needs of children and families in South West London. We are ideally situated across the road from Clapham Common, a 5-minute walk from Clapham South Tube Station, and a 15-minute walk from Balham Train Station. The nursery is a converted house in the beautiful, secure grounds of Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College. There is a large outside play area and the children have opportunities to plant and help tend the nursery vegetable patch.

We pride ourselves on the fact that we are a small family orientated nursery. Our aim is to create a warm caring environment, as we realise that choosing a nursery is one of the most important and difficult decisions you will make.

Staff at Nightingales work in partnership with parents to reassure you that your child will be cared for in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment. The nursery provides a holistic learning environment; we pay special attention to the transition period from home to nursery, reassuring parents of their child’s wellbeing and progress on a daily basis. Parents and visitors often comment on how happy and confident the children appear.

There is a generous staff to child ratio, with 20 children being cared for by 6 qualified and dedicated staff. Our philosophy is ‘Happy staff make happy children,’ and our friendly staff team build positive relationships with all of the children and parents, ensuring they meet their individual needs.

We provide training opportunities for future nursery practitioners from local colleges.

15 Oct, 2026
Full time
Nursery Practitioner
£29,833 yearly
Nightingales Nursery
Nursery Practitioner Permanent | 37 hours per week Salary £29,833 plus access to Local Government Pension Scheme Start date: 4 January 2027 Due to the retirement of the current post holder, Nightingales Nursery, based at St Francis Xavier College (a 2-minute walk from Clapham South), is seeking a warm, dedicated, and energetic Nursery Practitioner to join our Toddler Room team. This is an exciting permanent position at a thriving nursery. Nightingales Nursery is a family-orientated setting in the heart of Balham. We deliver a holistic learning environment where children feel secure, confident, and happy. Because we are a close-knit nursery, we take pride in supporting both our staff and our families every step of the way—starting with a smooth, caring transition from home to nursery. If you are kind, enthusiastic, patient, and able to work in harmony with other like-minded people within a safe, stimulating, and happy environment, then we would like to hear...
Nursery Name:
Nightingales Nursery
Early Years Practitioner/Nursery Nurse