Qualified Nursery Practitioner

Location: Sandfield Day Nursery | Headington, Oxford | OX3 7RH (on the John Radcliffe Hospital site).
Contract: Permanent | 18–40 hours per week | 52 weeks per year.
Working pattern: Choose from 2, 3, 4 or 5 full days per week | Shifts between 07:00–18:30, Monday–Friday.
Salary: £27,040–£33,737.60 per annum (pro-rata) | £13.00–£16.22 per hour.
Welcome bonus: Up to £2,000 for eligible new Level 3+ colleagues working 30–40 hours per week*.

Looking for an early years role with more flexibility?

Join our team at Sandfield Day Nursery in Headington, Oxford, where you can build a working pattern that fits around your life.  Whether you're looking for 18 hours across 2 days or a full-time 40-hour week, we'd love to hear from qualified early years professionals who are passionate about giving children the very best start.

And if you're Level 3 qualified and looking for 30–40 hours per week, you could receive a £2,000 welcome bonus when you join us.*

Why you'll love working with us

At Childbase Partnership, we're employee-owned, which means every colleague is a Partner in our business. You have a voice in our success and, when we do well, you can share in that success through our annual tax-free dividend.

You'll also benefit from:

• 23 days' annual leave, rising to 28 days with length of service, plus paid bank holidays (pro-rata).
• The opportunity to earn up to 20 additional paid days off each year through our Partnership Reward Days incentive.
• Up to 75% childcare discount for your children and up to 40% for grandchildren, depending on contracted hours.
• Free meals while at work.
• Qualification bonuses, long-service rewards and retail discounts.
• Mental health and occupational health support, flu jabs, eye care vouchers and a free will-writing service.
• Ongoing training, development and apprenticeship opportunities through our own Training Academy, EduBase.
• Team inset days and genuine opportunities to develop your early years career.

What you'll be doing

As a Qualified Nursery Practitioner, you'll play an important part in creating a safe, happy and engaging environment where children can thrive.  You'll work as a Key Person, building strong relationships with children and families while planning engaging learning opportunities through play. You'll observe and support children's development, work closely with your nursery colleagues and ensure safeguarding and children's wellbeing remain at the heart of everything you do.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who understands the EYFS, enjoys working collaboratively and, most importantly, is passionate about helping children feel safe, valued and happy.  You'll need to hold a DfE-approved, full and relevant early years qualification at Level 2 or above.

A career with Childbase Partnership

We've been delivering childcare excellence since 1989 and now have 44 day nurseries, our Head Office and Training Academy.

We're proud to be employee-owned and ranked number one in the Nursery World league tables for our Ofsted outcomes. We believe in careers, not jobs, giving our colleagues the support and opportunities they need to develop and succeed.

Ready for your next early years opportunity in Oxford? Apply today – we'd love to hear from you.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds. We're committed to FREDIE – fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement – and will consider any reasonable adjustments required.

Applicants must currently reside within a commutable distance of the nursery and have suitable Right to Work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available. Safer recruitment checks apply, including an Enhanced DBS check.

*£2,000 welcome bonus: Available to eligible new colleagues who hold a full and relevant Level 3+ early years qualification and are contracted to work 30–40 hours per week. The bonus is subject to successful completion of all pre-employment/onboarding checks, eligibility to work in the UK, and applicable tax and National Insurance deductions.