Early Years Practitioner

Your future is here

A place to inspire

Being part of Nottingham College means playing a vital part in helping thousands of people reach their potential. Together, we’re making a positive difference to our learners, to our communities and to each other. We’re building better futures, for others and for ourselves. Here, you’ll have the freedom to work in a way that suits you, the support to thrive and the opportunity to shape your career.

Who we need & What you’ll bring

Nottingham College is currently seeking to recruit an Early Years Practitioner to join our nursery, based within the Adams Building set in the Lace Market area of the City. We are looking for a dynamic and energetic individual to join our team.Are you a Level 3 Qualified Childcare Practitioner looking to make a difference in the lives of the children we care for? We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and education from 6 weeks to 5 years. We recognise what an important role we play in each child’s development. Most of all, we want our children to be happy, confident and secure. Nottingham College is a diverse and inclusive College and we welcome individuals who can embrace our ethos and contribute to new ways of thinking to enhance and support the development of every child at the very start of their learning journey.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creating engaging, fun and informative learning opportunities, helping children make excellent progress and meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Experience at keeping high quality records regarding the children’s development.
• To plan appropriately for your key children’s development using the EYFS curriculum.
• Be a good communicator and use this skill to build relationships with children, parents and professionals to deliver thoughtful and creative childcare.
• Contribute to giving children a healthy start in life, equipping them with the support, knowledge and nurturing they need to thrive, whilst leaving a lasting positive impact.
• To continue the learning journey in attending mandatory and new initiative training relevant to the post.
• Be reliable and make a positive contribution to our team.

Would you like to work within a learning environment that is concentrated on helping young children reach their full potential through play and stimulating activities? Then we would like to hear from you.

The post will be shortlisted against the essential and desirable criteria at application stage from the person specification. Please ensure that you have a look at this specification attached to the Role Profile and complete your application directly from this, as these specifications are an integral part of the selection process.

For further details on this post, which the job description and person specification cannot answer for you, please contact Alice Houldsworth (Senior in Charge) via email: alice.houldsworth@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Interviews /Assessments are planned for: week commencing 10th August 2026

Why Join us

• Competitive salary – £24,840 to £25,230 per annum FTE. (This will be pro-rata for part time posts)
• 35 days Annual Leave + 8 Bank Holidays + Opportunity to purchase up to 5 days annual leave 
• Access to Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Discounts at various stores and services across the UK via our Vivup App  
• Various travel schemes including cycle to work, local transport season tickets and car salary sacrifice scheme 
• Opportunities for professional development including 8 dedicated Continued Personal Development (CPD) days and our Request to Invest Programme 

A place to belong

At Nottingham College, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, valued, and understood.

We’re proud to be recognised as a Carer Confident employer, acknowledging the tailored support we offer to staff who balance their roles with caring responsibilities. As part of the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme, we’re actively tackling the stigma around menstrual health and providing meaningful support to those affected.

Our commitment to wellbeing continues as we work towards becoming a Menopause Friendly accredited employer, ensuring those experiencing menopause and peri-menopause feel heard and supported.

Mental health matters here too — our network of accredited Mental Health First Aiders is always growing, helping to foster a culture of compassion and understanding across the college.

Through our Wellness Cafés – informal gatherings that invite open conversation – colleagues are encouraged to share experiences and support one another. Whether navigating health challenges or balancing work and personal life, wellbeing is prioritised at Nottingham College, allowing you to thrive in your career.

Nottingham College is a place where you can share your ideas, work with people from all kinds of backgrounds and together, make a positive difference. Within our inclusive workplace, everyone is given the opportunity to belong. As part of this we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that successful candidates may need. 

Nottingham College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of our students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks including employer references, and an enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.

Apply Now

If you’re ready to be part of something special, the future is here.

To apply, click ‘Apply for this job’ on the Nottingham College website, or visit Nottingham College – Current Vacancies  if viewing externally.

We value accessibility and inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you need help or information in another format, contact Peopleservices@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk or call us on 0115 884 2222.  

We review applications as they are received, so please apply early. We may close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, and interview dates may change.

Please note that this role does not meet the standard salary requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. However, Home Office exemptions may apply depending on individual circumstances. Candidates are advised to review the Skilled Worker visa criteria on GOV.UK before applying.