Early Years Practitioner – Level 2 or Level 3

£12.71–£13.21 per hour | Permanent | Full-time | Flexible working options considered

Come and join our Sunflower team!

Sunflower Day Nursery at Courtenay Park in Newton Abbot is looking for a caring, enthusiastic and motivated Early Years Practitioner to join our team.

At Sunflower, we believe that children should be at the centre of everything we do. We want our nursery to be somewhere children feel safe, secure, nurtured and genuinely valued, and we’re looking for a practitioner who shares those values.

Pay

• Level 2 Early Years Practitioner – £12.71 per hour
• Level 3 Early Years Practitioner – £13.21 per hour

Hours & working patterns

Our preference is for a permanent, full-time practitioner working 42.5 hours across five days, with shifts between 8am and 6pm.

However, we recognise that one working pattern doesn’t suit everyone and, for the right candidate, we are willing to consider:

• 38 contracted hours over four days (8am–6pm)
• Job share
• Term-time only – five days per week

We are happy to discuss potential working arrangements with suitable applicants.

What will you be doing?

As an Early Years Practitioner, you’ll provide high-quality physical, emotional, social and educational care for children from birth to five years.

You’ll build warm and secure relationships with children and develop a strong understanding of their individual personalities, interests, development and needs.

Your role will include providing engaging, age and stage appropriate play and learning opportunities in line with the EYFS; observing children’s development; extending their learning through meaningful interactions; identifying appropriate next steps; and contributing to children’s online learning journals and developmental records.

You’ll also work closely with parents and carers, recognising the importance of strong parent partnerships in supporting children’s development and wellbeing.

The person we’re looking for

Qualifications matter, but so does the person behind them.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Caring and nurturing
• Positive and enthusiastic
• Reliable and hardworking
• Proactive and willing to take initiative
• A genuine team player
• Passionate about providing high-quality early years experiences
• Able to recognise and respond to children’s individual and changing needs
• Committed to safeguarding children
• Willing to reflect, learn and continue developing professionally

We work very much as one nursery team. Our strongest practitioners don’t simply focus on their own room or responsibilities; they look at the setting as a whole, notice where support is needed and proactively ask themselves, “Where can my help be most utilised?”

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a DfE-recognised full and relevant Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification.

If you currently hold a relevant Level 2 qualification, we will support you with training and progression towards achieving Level 3.

Paediatric First Aid and safeguarding training are desirable, but training can be provided. You’ll receive a full induction alongside opportunities for ongoing training and continuous professional development.

Interested?

If you’re looking for an Early Years role where you can become part of a team that genuinely believes in putting children first, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and suitable applicants may be invited to interview before the closing date. We therefore encourage you to apply early.

Closing date: Sunday 27 September 2026

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is appointed.

Sunflower Day Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references.

Pay: £12.71-£13.21 per hour

Expected hours: 42.5 per week

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person