Early Years Practitioner

Early Years Practitioner - Qualified - Level 3

Acorn Early Years – Hedgerows - Netherfield

If you are offered an EYP role, you will received a £500 recruitment bonus after successfully completing your 3 month probation period. 

Full time 40 hours per week   

We’re happy to offer flexibility with working hours to suit the right candidate. Depending on the needs of the nursery and availability, this role could be structured as three full days per week, mornings across five days, or afternoons across five days. Specific arrangements can be discussed further at interview.

Acorn Early Years is looking for a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Practitioner to join our friendly and supportive team at Hedgerows Nursery.

You must have a full & relevant Early Years Qualification. Minimum Level 3. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for an early years professional who is passionate about delivering high‑quality care and education in a nurturing, child‑centred environment.

Acorn at Hedgerows is a 43 place day nursery in Netherfield, Milton Keynes. Attached to the Hedgerows family centre, the nursery transferred to us from Milton Keynes Council and offers fully-funded places for eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds.

The nursery offers full and part-time care for children aged four months to four years, and is open 7:30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round.

The Acorns and Squirrels room caters for 15 children, aged four months to two years old. It has a bright main play room, a sleep area and nappy changing/toilet facilities and children have access to a safe enclosed garden.

Our Oaks room has provision for 24 children, aged three and four, and is a bright room with access to a large garden space with a covered area for all year round play. A toilet area and quiet/sleep room is available for children to use.

We place a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and the children enjoy play outside in all weathers. Pre-school children develop their outdoor learning at regular Forest School sessions, and a variety of imaginative and creative play activities can be enjoyed alongside regular outings and trips.

About the Role

As an Early Years Practitioner, you will play an important role in supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing. You will work as part of a committed team to create engaging learning environments, deliver high‑quality interactions and ensure every child feels safe, valued and supported to reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

Quality of Care & Practice

• Support a holistic approach to the EYFS curriculum
• Meet the individual care and learning needs of children
• Deliver high‑quality interactions that support children’s development
• Promote positive behaviour in line with Acorn policies and procedures
• Follow and extend children’s interests through appropriate teaching methods
• Support planning in the moment and contribute to observations and assessments
• Promote children’s independence and physical development
• Monitor children’s progress and support next steps in learning

Environment & Resources

• Help create rich, stimulating learning environments indoors and outdoors
• Ensure resources and equipment are accessible, safe and well maintained
• Support first‑hand learning experiences that meet the needs of all children

Key Person & Partnerships

• Act as an effective key person, building strong relationships with children and families
• Value parents as partners and communicate professionally and positively
• Complete accurate and timely documentation, including observations, care plans, accident forms, transitions and two‑year checks (where applicable)

Teamwork & Professional Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively as part of a supportive team
• Support colleagues when needed, including less experienced practitioners
• Share relevant information with room teams and senior staff
• Reflect Acorn’s ethos, values, policies and procedures in daily practice
• Safeguard all children and follow safeguarding procedures at all times
• Support the smooth running of the room in the absence of senior staff when required

What We’re Looking For

• A good working knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements
• Level 3 Early years qualification (Minimum)
• A warm, calm and child‑centred approach
• Strong communication skills with children, parents and colleagues
• A genuine passion for early years care and education
• Confidence to role model positive behaviour and best practice
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team

Why Join Acorn Early Years?

At Acorn, we are passionate about creating inclusive, nurturing environments where children and staff thrive. We value our teams and actively support professional development and progression.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

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