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Qualified Nursery Assistant
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Ipswich School
Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3SG
Salary: £26,084 - £25,272 per annum
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent. Required as soon as possible
Reference: 5387
Ipswich School is looking for a Qualified Nursery Assistant.
As a member of our nursery team, you will help us to deliver the EYFS curriculum, which ensures a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for children attending the nursery. You will work closely with other staff to provide a stimulating, safe and caring learning environment appropriate to the needs of the children in our care.
Responsibilities:
- To work closely with the Room Leader, Deputy Room Leader and other staff to provide a stimulating, safe and caring learning environment appropriate to the needs of the children in the nursery
- To work as a member of the nursery team to promote the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the children in the nursery
- To plan, prepare and set out in an appropriate way, in cooperation with the room team, activities related to the nursery themes or agreed programme
- To initiate, facilitate and evaluate programmes of activities (age appropriate) for groups and/or individuals, for example, story sessions, listening and reading, art and craft work, computer activities, cooking, music, dance, special needs activities in consultation with the nursery team
- To ensure that the materials, equipment and resources are available for groups and/or individuals to undertake planned activities, to tidy up at the end of the session and to encourage children to help whenever possible
- To share and at times to take sole responsibility for groups of children working in areas (both inside and outside under the direction of qualified staff) where a variety of activities are available, facilitating and enabling them by providing appropriate levels of support and interaction
- To keep careful records of the child’s development and progress and share them with parents, the child and other professionals as necessary
- To encourage the children (as age appropriate) in self-care, independence, caring for their peers and their environment, and good behavioural standards, setting excellent examples at all times
- To advise the senior staff of any concerns with regard to children, parents, equipment or with regard to health and safety
- To maintain and ensure adequate resources are available for activities planned within the activity room and inform senior staff of any likely shortages
- To maintain confidentiality with regards to any information about the children, their families or School business, including staff matters
- To take responsibility as required for any activity under the authority and direction of the Deputy Room Leader, Room Leader or the Manager, for example, visits out of the nursery, group work, maintaining registers
- To act as a Key Person
- To pass relevant information to other key persons for them to talk to parents as required
- To attend meetings as and when required
- To deal appropriately with minor accidents and injuries both indoors and outdoors
- To be vigilant in matters of safety
- To assist with the EYFS Late Stay facility in the Prep when required
- To be flexible within the working practices of the nursery. Be prepared to help where needed, including to undertake certain domestic jobs within the nursery, e.g. preparation of snack meals, cleansing of equipment etc
- Look upon the nursery as a ‘whole’ assessing where your help can be most utilised, be constantly aware of the needs of children
- To ensure the setting is a high-quality environment to meet the needs of individual children from differing cultures and religious backgrounds, and stages of development
- Work alongside parents/carers of special needs children to provide full integration in the nursery
- To ensure each child is collected by someone known to the nursery.
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Specific childcare tasks
This list is not exhaustive, and duties may be changed or added to as determined from time to time.
The preparation and completion of activities to suit the child's stage of development:
- To ensure that mealtimes are a time of pleasant social sharing
- Washing and changing children as required
- Providing comfort and warmth to an ill child
- To attend all out of working hours activities, e.g. training, staff meetings, parents/carers evenings, Christmas party, etc.
Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- You will ideally hold a current and relevant childcare qualification NVQ Level 2, or ideally level 3, or be working towards this
- Previous experience of working with young children and babies
- Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Services Check
- A Paediatric First Aid Certificate.
Desirable:
- Further qualifications
- Evidence of continuous self-development and updated knowledge, particularly in the areas of responsibility for this post
- Knowledge of pupil welfare issues including child protection, raising achievement, SEND provision etc.
Skills and abilities
Essential:
- Have an excellent understanding of safe working practices in relation to childcare
- Have an excellent understanding of child development
- Some previous experience of using a computer and preferably online Learning Journey software
- Have the ability to work methodically and prioritise your own workload
- Have the ability to work as part of a team and also own initiative
- Conversant with the current Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
Desirable:
- A positive approach to completing relevant short courses and qualifications
- Some understanding of the importance of Health and Safety and Food Hygiene in the workplace.
Personal Qualities
Essential:
- Be honest, reliable and flexible
- Be able to build excellent working relationships with children, parents/carers and colleagues within the LDN
- Have the ability to attend for work punctually and be well presented
- Have excellent attention to detail
- Have a high level of patience
- Enjoy working with children
- Have the commitment to provide the highest standards of childcare
- Have the ability to multi-task
- Have the willingness to learn, and undergo further appropriate training
- Be flexible, positive, friendly and have a supportive approach to work
- Have a pleasant disposition with a capability to respond positively under pressure
- Have a sense of fun and understanding with other adults.
Desirable:
- Have the ability to manage change positively.
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You will join a friendly and supportive team, we offer plenty of opportunities for further professional development, working in a high achieving school in a fantastic area, with excellent facilities for both children and staff.
What you need to know:
We currently have full-time roles available in our nursery team, ideally for qualified people (or those who have relevant experience of working with young children and babies). You will work for 3.5 hours each day, 17.5 hours each week, on Mondays – Fridays throughout the year, to help us make sure we maintain our staffing ratios during the busy nursery lunchtime period.
- Your starting salary will be between £26,084.86 - £25,272.88 per annum, for the actual hours outlined above, and will depend on your skills, qualifications and experience
- All our appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of a 5-month probationary period
- You will have 28 days paid holiday each year (including bank holidays) and a further 5 days as paid time off when the nursery is closed in August (one day) and at Christmas (4 days). Giving a total of 33 days paid time off each year. We should let you know that holiday (usually 4 days) must be taken during the week each year when the nursery is closed in August, and we will let you know the dates well in advance each year
- You will be entitled to join our defined contribution pension scheme for support staff (the employer contribution rate is an attractive 10% of your gross pay), and you will receive three times your salary as death in service life cover. You will also join Smart Health, a wellbeing scheme for staff offering 24/7 online GP and mental health support
- You will be able to use the school’s swimming pool and fitness gym free of charge and you will have a free freshly prepared lunch each day in School (when the school is in session). We also have (limited) free parking available for staff
- We have a review and development scheme for staff, to assist in your professional development, and we have a fantastic track record of supporting our nursery staff in training and development activities and gaining further qualifications.
How to apply
To apply, please visit our website https://www.ipswich.school/vacancies
Completed application forms should be returned by the closing date below to:
Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, IP1 3SG or emailed to hr@ipswich.school if you prefer.
Please mark the envelope Private and Confidential.
Closing date: 12 pm, 1 September 2026.
Interview date: likely to be held on 11 September 2026.
Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format, please contact us.
Candidates shortlisted for interview will be advised as soon as possible after the closing date. If we have not been in touch with you by 4 September 2026, then we regret that your application will have been unsuccessful, but we would like to thank you for your interest.
Please note
Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
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