Lead Early Years Practitioner

Qualifications & Education

Essential criteria

• NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent (in Childcare)

Free Spirits Nursery is a busy 88-place nursery, graded Outstanding by Ofsted. The nursery caters for children from 6 months to pre‑school and is located within the grounds of The Freeman Hospital. We are seeking a passionate and energetic staff member with a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and child development to join our Outstanding team. Experience working with babies is desirable.

Interview Date: 25 March 2026

37 hours 30 minutes / week

• Work as part of a team, use your own initiative and be actively involved in nursery routines, overseeing the room as a whole.
• Implement nursery and trust policies and procedures under the direction of the nursery managers.
• Care for and supervise children aged 0‑5 years under the general direction of senior staff and nursery managers.
• Plan and implement a structured, stimulating environment through play, following a curriculum to encourage all areas of development as required by OFSTED.
• Supervise early years practitioners and students, helping them develop within their role.

We are a flexible, workforce‑friendly organisation. If you require a flexible working arrangement, please discuss it with us – we will do our best to accommodate it where possible.

• To care and supervise children aged 0‑5 years, under the general direction of the senior staff and nursery managers.
• To plan and implement a structured, stimulating environment through play, following a curriculum to encourage all areas of development as required by OFSTED.
• To supervise early years practitioners and students helping them develop within their role.
• To settle new children, working closely with parents/carers and senior staff throughout the induction period.
• Ability to work alongside external professional bodies on a regular basis.

• NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent (in Childcare)

• Sound knowledge of child development.
• Good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Welfare requirements and relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Experience working as part of a team.
• Observation, planning and assessment skills.
• Overall child development knowledge.

• Good knowledge of nursery and trust policies and procedures.
• Health and safety, safeguarding and SEND.
• Experience in a day‑care setting.

• Highly motivated, enthusiastic with good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Collaborative and independent working styles.
• Good interpersonal skills.

• Flexible working approach.
• Collaborative with colleagues and independent working.
• Ability to provide and maintain high-quality childcare within the nursery.

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years. Please provide the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your former line managers covering that period. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

Successful candidates who require a DBS will be required to pay for the DBS certificate, with the cost deducted from first month’s pay.

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e‑mail. If you have not been contacted within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

• JD & PS (PDF, 224.4 KB)
• Newcastle Staff Benefits (PDF, 274.4 KB)
• Behaviour and Civility Charter (PDF, 93.8 KB)

Name:
Marika Knotts

Job title:

Nursery Manager
Email:
Telephone: 0191 223 1888

For further information, please contact Marika Knotts, Nicky Wagstaff or Emma Crowe on 0191 223 1888 or ext. 31888.

Newcastle Hospitals is committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognises the benefit of providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, and in particular those from under‑represented groups.