University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Level 3 Qualified Nursery Practitioner
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Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) is delighted to offer fantastic opportunities to work within our Taplins Nurseries as a Level 3 Qualified Early Years Practitioner.
Main Duties of the Job
Taplins Nurseries, part of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, are recruiting experienced & newly qualified Nursery Practitioners who hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification (or equivalent).
Taplins provide high-quality childcare for NHS families and offers an environment where practitioners feel supported, valued and respected. The security and benefits of NHS employment, together with a strong team culture, allow staff to focus on rewarding early years practice without the pressures often experienced in the private sector.
- Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 07:00–18:30 (closed on bank holidays)
- Work patterns: Full-time and part-time roles available with flexible working open for discussion
- Salary: £25,760–£27,476 per annum (£13.17–£14.05 per hour equivalent) with incremental pay progression
- Location: Taplins Southampton General (SO16 6YD) and Trust Taplins Western Community Hospital (SO16 4XE)
Why Work With Taplins
- Work–life balance – Flexible opportunities, including a 4-day working week for full-time roles (37.5 hours)
- Generous leave – 35 days paid annual leave rising with service, alongside enhanced maternity and paternity pay, compassionate leave and support during unforeseen circumstances.
- Discounts and wellbeing – Access to Blue Light Card and other local and nationwide staff discounts
- Flexible earning opportunities – Option to take on additional hours through our staff bank NHS Professionals (NHSP), if desired
Working for our Organisation
Taplins Nursery, part of University Hospital Southampton, provides high-quality early years education in a unique NHS setting. We offer a supportive, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive, and where staff are valued as essential to delivering outstanding care.
Based on the south coast, Southampton offers an excellent place to live and work, with great transport links and access to the New Forest, South Downs, and Jurassic Coast.
At Taplins, we’re committed to supporting your development within early years education. Whether you’re starting your career or building on existing experience, we offer opportunities to learn, grow, and progress within a well-established and supportive team.
We value individuality and believe that a diverse, inclusive workforce enables us to provide the best possible care for children and families. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and empowered to contribute.
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We also recognise the importance of work-life balance and will support flexible working arrangements where possible, helping you balance your career with other priorities.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
At Taplins, you’ll work in modern, purpose-built nursery environments caring for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Our settings are well-resourced, calm, and professionally run, designed to support high-quality early years practice while maintaining realistic, manageable workloads.
Our nurseries provide bright, welcoming spaces that enable children to thrive, including:
- Spacious outdoor play areas
- Craft and messy-play rooms
- Sensory spaces and cosy sleep areas
- High-quality learning resources and equipment
Taplins is designed for practitioners seeking a long-term career in early years. With realistic workloads, predictable patterns, strong governance and NHS stability, we offer a role where staff can continue to do what they love without sacrificing wellbeing or work–life balance.
Taplins offers a calmer, more sustainable alternative to private nursery settings, without losing the warmth, teamwork and child-centred focus that make early years work rewarding. Our supportive and experienced leadership team includes managers who understand early years practice and prioritise staff wellbeing, support and development.
Early years practitioners at Taplins are recognised as skilled professionals and an essential part of the NHS community.
Your Responsibilities Will Include
- Creating a safe, secure and engaging environment for children
- Planning and delivering EYFS-based activities that support learning and development
- Acting as a key person, building strong relationships with children and families
- Maintaining developmental records and online learning journals (Tapestry)
- Supporting children with additional needs in partnership with the SENDCo
- Upholding high standards of hygiene, health and safety
- Supporting mealtimes and daily routines
- Working collaboratively within a positive and supportive nursery team
To be considered for this role, you must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification or equivalent. We welcome both experienced and newly qualified Level 3 practitioners and offer dedicated mentorship and training.
Benefits
Since working for our Taplins nurseries mean you join the NHS, you’ll have access to a wide range of benefits that support your day-to-day life, wellbeing, and finances:
- Travel discounts – including 10% off BlueStar and UniLink bus passes
- Vivup salary sacrifice schemes – savings on home and electronics, cycle to work, bike shop purchases, gym membership, travel and leisure
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – confidential support for wellbeing and counselling, financial concerns and debt advice
- Car benefit scheme (Tusker) – access to a brand-new, fully maintained car via salary sacrifice
- Local and nationwide NHS discounts – including free membership at The Company Shop (Southampton), 10% off at Asda, access to Blue Light Card and family-friendly offers such as kids-eat free promotions and discounted activities
- Refer-a-friend scheme – earn up to £1,000 for successful referrals (where applicable)
- NHS Agenda for Change protections – clear pay structures, annual incremental progression and fair, transparent employment processes
- Long-term job security – working within a large NHS Trust with access to redeployment and internal career opportunities.
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Safeguarding
Taplins Nurseries and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
Appointments are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including enhanced DBS clearance, verification of qualifications, and satisfactory references. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the job description and person specification.
Next Steps
If you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification, a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your application and current opportunities. We look forward to receiving your application.
This vacancy does not meet the Home Office threshold for sponsorship; therefore we are unable to accept applications from candidates who do not have the right to work in the UK.
To be considered for this role, you must hold a Level 3 Early Years qualification or equivalent.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training And Experience
Essential criteria
- Good standard of secondary education with literacy and numeracy skills demonstrable to GCSE pass level or equivalent standard
- Willingness and ability to undertake Food Safety training
- Recent previous experiences of working with 3 months – 5-year-olds within a childcare setting
- To hold a full and relevant Level 3 Early Years Qualification (in accordance with https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-years-qualifications-finder) or above. If level 3 qualified post June 2016, to also hold a full paediatric first aid (PFA) or an emergency PFA certificate
Desirable criteria
- Current paediatric and/or first aid at work certificate if qualified pre- June 2016, or if candidate holds a qualification higher than level 3
- Current food hygiene certificate
Alignment with Trust Values
Essential criteria
- Patients First
- Working Together
- Always Improving
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