Lunchtime Assistant

Part-Time Lunchtime Assistant

20 hours per week | Monday–Friday, 11:00–15:00

Our nursery building at Kents Hill has been designed in an innovative octagonal shape with a central atrium and light and spacious rooms. The nursery benefits from large garden areas which can be accessed from each of the rooms; this gives the children the opportunity to free-flow indoors and outdoors to access a full range of activities. The nursery have pet chickens who roam freely in part of the garden throughout the day, enabling the children to collect eggs and then take turns to take eggs home.

We offer full and part-time care for up to 60 children from the age of four months to four years, and are open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. 

The Nursery is currently being expanded with custom buildings which will enable us to offer a further 20 places.

Acorn places a strong emphasis on outdoor play and learning, and the children have the opportunity to free flow outdoors all day every day, whatever the weather. Included in our fees are regular Forest School sessions to Kents Hill Park. 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.

About the Role

As a Lunchtime Assistant, you will play an important role in supporting children during the middle of their day, helping to create a calm, safe and enjoyable mealtime experience.

Working hours:

• 20 hours per week
• Monday to Friday
• 11:00–15:00 each day
• All year round

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from candidates who are:

• Passionate, motivated and enthusiastic
• Interested in outdoor learning and creative play
• Keen to progress their personal career development
• Friendly, reliable and able to work as part of a team

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Excellent training and progression opportunities
• Enhanced pension contributions
• 65% childcare discount - Pro rata according to contracted hours
• Four annual nursery closure days dedicated to staff training
• The opportunity to work for a not-for-profit organisation that puts children first

Safer Recruitment

Successful applicants will be required to:

• Provide Right to Work in the UK documentation
• Supply two satisfactory references
• Complete an enhanced DBS check prior to commencing employment

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• 65% Childcare discount Pro-rata according to 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