Early Years Educator – The Lodge Day Nursery

Company: Reading Borough Council
Apply for the Early Years Educator – The Lodge Day Nursery
Location: Reading
Job Description:

Early Years Educator – The Lodge Day Nursery

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Contractual hours 37

Basis Full time

Region Permanent / Full-Time

Job category/type Children’s Services, Early Years Services

At The Lodge Day Nursery, we believe every child deserves thevery beststart in life.We’relooking for caring,enthusiasticand dedicated Early Years Educator to join our friendly team and help create a safe,stimulatingand inclusive environment where children can learn through play, build confidence and reach their potential.

Whetheryou’realready qualified at Level 2 or Level3 orlooking to develop your career within a supportive setting, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to children aged 0-5 years while working as part of a passionate and experienced team.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversityand inclusionis the key to our success.Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the team

The Lodge is a well-established nursery providing high quality, affordable and free childcare to local families in Reading.

The nursery is set out overthreebright rooms which connect to a private garden space. Our local community is diverse with children attending our setting from a range ofdifferent backgroundsand with many different languages represented. Our educators are completely focused on ensuring that all children achieve and have an equal chance of success in an environment which is inclusive, inspiring, and nurturing.

The children arevery importantand so is our team. We work closely with our educators to ensure that they continue to learn, develop, and share good practices.

As an Early Years Educator,you’llplay a key role in supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing through responsive, in-the-moment teaching and nurturing interactions.You’llhelp create engaging learning experiences, work closely withfamiliesand ensure every child feels valued, included and supported to succeed.

Working as part of our nursery team,you’ll:

  • Build positive relationships with children and their families, helping children settle and thrive within nursery life.
  • Provide high-quality care and learning opportunities in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
  • Act as a Key Person, supporting children’s individual development and celebrating their achievements.
  • Observe,monitorand record children’s progress and development.
  • Create fun, stimulating and inclusive learning environments that encourage curiosity and exploration.
  • Promote positive behaviour through encouragement,guidanceand role modelling.
  • Support children withadditionalneeds and work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the right support is in place.
  • Safeguard and promote the welfare of children at all times.
  • Work closely with colleagues to deliver engaging activities that support children’s learning and development.
  • Contribute tomaintaininga safe,welcomingand inspiring nursery environment.

About you

We’relooking for warm, committed professionals who genuinely enjoy working with young children and understand the importance of those early years in shaping future success.You’llbe a team player with excellent communication skills and a passion for delivering outstanding care and education.

You’llideally have:

  • A Level 2 or Level 3 Childcare and Education qualification.
  • Experience working in anearly yearsor childcare setting.
  • Good knowledge of child development and the needs of children from birth to five years.
  • Strong communicationskills and the ability to build positive relationships with children,familiesand colleagues.
  • A caring,patientand inclusive approach.
  • The ability to use your initiative and contribute positively as part of a team.
  • A commitment to safeguarding, equality and delivering excellent outcomes for children.
  • A willingness to continue learning and developing your practice and professional knowledge

You’llbe part of a team that relies oneach individualto play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day,you’llalso be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential asa great placeto live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, anddemonstratethe Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading – maintainthe highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambitionisstrongly encouraged, andyou’llget a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

  • Generous holidayentitlement -25days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to30 days after 5 years’ service and33days after 10 years’ service, with theoptionto buyadditionalleave
  • A wide range of flexible working opportunities
  • Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
  • Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
  • 50% off Childcare at Sure Start Nursery for Lodge Staff
  • Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
  • Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance,servicingand road tax

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Posted: July 30th, 2026