Job DescriptionNURSERY PRACTITIONER - LEVEL 2\n\nLocation: Tops Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire\n\nPay rate: Up to £12.77 per hour\n\nContracted Hours: 35 hours per week\n\n“Staff well-being is valued and nurtured. The provider offers staff opportunities to celebrate their achievements and contributions. These include staff nominations on the 'Each Person Scheme' and special award nights to recognise both individual and nursery achievements.”- OFSTED recent feedback\n\nWhy You’ll Love Working with Us \n\nAt Tops Day Nurseries, we believe in rewarding our team for their hard work and dedication. Here are some of the fantastic benefits you’ll enjoy as part of our family:\n\nAnnual Bonus Scheme: As an Employee-Owned Company, you’ll share in our success. Each May, you’ll have the opportunity to receive a bonus from our profit shares.\n\nChildcare Discount: Enjoy up to 60% off childcare within Tops Day Nurseries, making it easier for you to balance work and family life.\n\nFlexible Working Options: Make the Most of Your Time Off with Compressed Hours. By working compressed hours, you could gain up to 48 extra days off per year. Alternatively, if you work nine days over a two-week period, you’ll receive up to 24 additional days off annually. And that’s in addition to your standard holiday allowance!\n\nProud to be a World’s Happiest Workplace: Tops Day Nurseries has been officially certified as a World’s Happiest Workplace for 2025, recognising our commitment to employee well-being, career growth, and a positive workplace culture.\n\nHoliday Allowance: We all need time to rest, reset and enjoy the moments that matter most. That’s why you’ll receive 28 days of annual leave each year to relax and spend time doing what you love.\n\nAnd because we know how important it is to look after you, you’ll also receive 2 extra days:\n\n\nOne to celebrate your birthday – or another day that’s special to you\nAnd a Wellbeing Day, just for you, to take a pause, recharge, and focus on what makes you feel good.\n\n\nThat’s a total of 30 days off each year – because you deserve it.\n\nFree meals: Our nurseries are proud to provide free breakfast to our colleagues as part of our commitment to supporting your well-being. Enjoy freshly prepared meals each day, ensuring you're energized and ready to provide the best care and education for the children we nurture. \n\nEmployee Recognition: Access to the Blue Light Card, offering exclusive discounts and savings at thousands of retailers, restaurants, and attractions.\n\nEmployee Recognition Platform: Access our reward and recognition platform, Each Person, for Gym discounts, Cycle2Work benefits, GP on demand, Cinema deals, Diesel Savings Card, and cashback on your favourite supermarkets and high street retailers. We also use Each person to celebrate employee of the month!\n\nHealth and Wellbeing Support: We’ve got you covered with NHS Prescription Charges, Optical Care, and Dental Treatment.\n\nCareer Development: We’re committed to your growth and offer fantastic opportunities for career advancement.\n\nTravel and Parking Season Ticket loan: Borrow up to £500 interest-free and spread the expense easily, whether for public transport or parking. \n\n \n\nAbout the Role\n\nOur Nursery Practitioner supports the educational and social development of children up to age five. Key duties include ensuring a safe learning environment, helping children develop social and behavioral skills, and engaging them in age-appropriate play. By joining us, you'll work with a passionate team dedicated to providing care, warmth, and kindness.\n\nAbout the Nursery\n\nTops Southsea Nursery is a 60 place Day Nursery & Pre-School situated in Bruce Road, Southsea. The nursery run several extra-curricular activities including Tops Forest School, cooking school, Boogie Mites, yoga, meditation and much more! \n\nWhat does the role involve?\n\n\nProviding day-to-day care, including feeding, changing diapers, and helping children with toilet training. They also ensure a safe, clean, and stimulating environment.\nDeveloping and leading fun, age-appropriate activities that promote learning and development, focusing on key areas like social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills.\nObserving children’s development and identifying any areas of concern. They help children develop their motor skills, language, and social interactions through play and structured learning.\nEnsuring that children are safe and emotionally supported. They create an atmosphere that encourages children to explore and learn independently.\nKeeping records of each child’s progress, including documenting milestones, behaviors, and developmental needs. This is often part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in the UK.\nMaintaining regular communication with parents or guardians about their child’s progress, needs, and any concerns that arise.\n\n\nWhat are we looking for? \n\n\nA minimum of a Level 2 Early Years Qualification is required.\nHave a strong understanding of safeguarding procedures\n\n\n \n\nWhy Tops Day Nurseries? \n\nWe are a leading early education and childcare provider in South England, established in 1990. We promote environmental sustainability and social responsibility by educating today’s children to influence future generations. We value respect, open communication, and teamwork, fostering a positive, purpose-driven work environment.\n\nAs an Employee-Owned Company, our colleagues are co-owners, benefiting from the company’s growth through annual profit-sharing bonuses. We're also proud to rank 9th in the 2024 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK, offering career development from Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeships to Nursery Manager or Early Years Teacher.\n\nExciting? We think so! Your journey starts here, so take the first step to become part of Tops Team by clicking apply!\n\nWe are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. All candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS which is on the update service. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory background checks. This role involves regulated activity with children. You should not apply if you are on the Childrens’ Barred List.\n\nINDSE