Supply Nursery Practitioner

Exeter Supply Partnership (ESP) is looking for caring and confident Level 2 and Level 3 Nursery Practitioners to support Early Years settings across Devon and Torbay. If you are passionate about helping young children learn, play and thrive, we would love to hear from you.

As a Supply Nursery Practitioner, you’ll support children’s learning and development through play-based activities and high-quality care. Roles may include:

• Helping to plan and deliver age-appropriate activities
• Supporting children’s personal, social and emotional development
• Maintaining a safe, nurturing environment
• Working flexibly across local nurseries and preschool settings

We match your skills and experience with the right settings to ensure a positive and rewarding placement.

To work within staff to child ratios, you must hold a DfE approved Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification
. These qualifications ensure you meet national requirements for:

• Supervision and safety
• Child development knowledge
  
  Curriculum support in EYFS settings

This is essential for maintaining high quality early education and care. You can check your qualification here using the DfE’s online tool - Check an early years qualification

• Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification (DfE approved)
• Experience working with children aged 0–5 (references required)
• A warm, patient and child centred approach
• Strong understanding of the EYFS
• Enhanced DBS (we can help arrange this)

• Flexible work that fits around your personal commitments
• Local placements across Devon and Torbay
• A supportive team who get to know you and your preferences
• Opportunities to gain experience across different environments
• Career progression support with access to funded in-person and online professional development
• Professional, friendly communication every step of the way

We are a not-for-profit organisation, focused solely on supporting educators and local settings—not on targets or commission.

As part of our supportive and thorough recruitment process, we like to meet every applicant in person. Once we’ve reviewed your application, we’ll invite you to either:

• An in-person interview, or
• An online interview, followed by a brief in-person document check

Your interview will include a few formal questions, along with a conversation about your experience, what you’re looking for from supply work, and how we can work together. We will also complete the required safer recruitment checks, including identity, qualifications, right to work, and safeguarding.

Our aim is to make the process clear, supportive and efficient, helping you feel confident and ready to begin supply work.

If you’re a committed Nursery Practitioner wanting flexible, local, and rewarding Early Years work, we’d love to welcome you to ESP.