1-1 Nursery Practitioner

Have you ever wanted to be an astronaut? Explore a jungle searching for hidden animals? Or join a magical tea party in the enchanting gardens of a toddler’s imagination? At Little Shipmates Day Nursery, these adventures happen every day! Here, whether you’re a tiny two-year-old or a fully grown adult, fun, laughter, and curiosity are part of the job.

About Us
Little Shipmates Day Nursery was the very first nursery in the Little Shipmates family. With our cosy, homely setting in Hythe, we create a warm, welcoming space where children and staff feel like part of a big family. Every day is full of exploration, creativity, and learning, all wrapped up in a sense of belonging.

The Role
We have a fantastic opportunity for a 1-1 Practitioner to join our team and provide dedicated support to a child with additional needs.

Working closely with the child, their family and the wider nursery team, you will help create a safe, nurturing and engaging environment where the child can feel confident, included and supported to develop. You will get to know the child as an individual, understand their strengths and needs, and adapt your approach to help them make progress.

This is a rewarding role for someone who enjoys building strong relationships with children and takes pride in making a positive difference to their day-to-day experiences and development.

Hours: 10 hours per week
Pattern: Flexible to suit the successful candidate, mirroring the child's attendance pattern (nursery operating times are between 8am - 6pm)

Who We’re Looking For
You’re someone who:

• Has experience providing 1-1 support to children with additional needs and understands the importance of an individualised approach.
• Is patient, caring and attentive, with the ability to recognise and respond to a child's individual needs.
• Enjoys building trusting relationships with children and helping them feel confident, included and valued.
• Can adapt activities and interactions to support a child's development, communication, engagement and independence.

It is desirable for the successful candidate to hold a full and relevant Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education, but this is not essential.

Our Values
At Little Shipmates, our values guide everything we do:

• Enthusiasm – bringing energy, joy, and positivity to everything we do
• Professionalism – maintaining high standards in care and learning
• Achievement – supporting children and staff reach their full potential
• Belonging – creating and nurturing a true sense of family and inclusion
• Recognition – celebrating and rewarding all successes, big and small

Why You’ll Love Working With Us
We care about our staff as much as we care about our children. When you join Little Shipmates, you’ll enjoy:

• 30% childcare discount (rising to 50% after 2 years continuous service).
• Enhanced holiday entitlement with long service.
• Festive closure over Christmas period.
• On-hand wellbeing support, including internal Mental Health First Aiders and a free 24/7 counselling service.
• Annual pay reviews and additional increases for long-serving staff members.
• Regular fun social events, and team-building activities.
• Workplace pension.
• Staff uniform provided (alternative lightweight summer tops included!).
• Staff room refreshments including tea, coffee, squash, and sweet treats.
• Seasonal chocolate treats at Easter and Christmas!
• Ample support and opportunities to progress your career including further qualifications and training.
• Refer-a-Friend Bonus Scheme

Next Steps
If this sounds like your kind of adventure, we’d love to hear from you! Give us a call on 02380 841166 to have a friendly, informal chat with the Nursery Manager.

Important Information

• An enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references are required prior to commencing employment.
• Little Shipmates is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Due to the nature of the role, it is exempt from the provision of the Section 4.2 of The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, candidates must disclose any pending charges, convictions, bind overs, or cautions as required by law. Applications are not entitled to withhold information about conviction which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the act. Failure to disclose may result in dismissal or termination of the offer of employment.

Discover more about us at www.littleshipmates.com.

Pay: £12.71-£13.24 per hour

Application question(s):

• Do you hold a full and relevant Level 3 Childcare qualification? (Please note Health and Social Care is not deemed as full and relevant)

Experience:

• 1-1 Childcare: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person