Nursery Assistant

Nursery Assistant

Full-time and Part-time opportunities available
Acorn @ Westcroft

We are looking for a Nursery Assistant to join our dedicated team at Westcroft This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about working with children and supporting high-quality early years care in a nurturing, child‑centred environment.

About our Nursery

Acorn at Westcroft is situated in the Westcroft District Centre, and is adjacent to our training centre where we host training for our staff and other early years professionals. The nursery has three outdoor play areas, giving children the opportunity to free-flow indoors and outdoors to access a full range of activities. Acorn places a strong emphasis on outdoor play and learning, and the children will be outdoors at some point every day, whatever the weather. Included in our fees are regular Forest School sessions. These exciting educational experiences are suitable for pre-schoolers and are delivered by fully trained forest school leaders and offer an innovative approach to outdoor play. We are very fortunate to have Howe Park Wood on our doorstep, which we visit regularly.

About the Role

As a Nursery Assistant, you will support a holistic approach to the curriculum, helping to ensure the wellbeing, development and learning of all children in your care. You will work as part of a team to support the smooth day‑to‑day running of the nursery.

Key Responsibilities

• Support children’s care, wellbeing and individual needs
• Deliver positive, high-quality interactions based on children’s stages of development
• Promote positive behaviour in line with Acorn’s policies and procedures
• Support rich learning experiences indoors and outdoors
• Encourage children’s independence, confidence and physical development
• Support planning in the moment
• Carry out regular observations in line with Acorn guidance
• Assist with maintaining records such as care plans, “All About Me” forms, medication forms and progress reviews (where appropriate)
• Understand and support the key person approach
• Work flexibly as part of a team, adapting responsibilities as required
• Cascade relevant information to colleagues and management
• Safeguard all children at all times

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from candidates who:

• Share Acorn’s values and ethos
• Have an interest in early years and child development
• Are caring, enthusiastic and reliable
• Value parents as partners
• Communicate effectively with children, families and colleagues
• Are keen to learn, develop and progress within early years

(No formal qualification is required for this role, as training and development will be supported.)

Equality, Diversity & Safer Recruitment

At Acorn, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered during the recruitment process.

Successful applicants must:

• Have the right to work in the UK
• Provide two satisfactory references
• Complete an Enhanced DBS check prior to commencing employment

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• 65% Childcare discount - Pro rata depending on contracted hours
• Generous family leave
• Christmas closure
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
• 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Cyclescheme
• Techscheme
• Length of Service awards
• Summer and Christmas parties
• Pay advances for when times are tough
• Employee assistance wellbeing programme