Job Description
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 from you!
Candidates should have:
· Level 3 in Early Years/childcare or an equivalent DfE recognised qualification
· Proven experience of working with babies and toddlers and a good track record of working with under 5s
· A good understanding of the EYFS and the ability to put it into practice
· Ability to work in a caring and energetic team
· Ability to follow all safeguarding policies and procedures of the Nursery
· Ability to follow all requirements of administrative duties such as planning, observations and report writing
· Ability to communicate feedback clearly with staff and parents
We offer:
A competitive salary, a supportive and friendly environment, and a great range of benefits including excellent training opportunities, free use of our fitness suite, cycle to work scheme, free on-site parking, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, and an Employee Assistance Programme, to name a few.
How to apply:
To apply, please submit your CV. Once selected you will be asked to complete an application form. Apply now if you do not want to miss out on this exciting opportunity.
Deadline for receipt of applications: 12:00 noon Monday 26th October 2026
Interviews: Will be held week commencing w/c 2 November 2026
We reserve the right to interview successful applicants and close the vacancy prior to the application deadline should we find the perfect candidate.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.
Nursery Name
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.