East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Nursery Assistant

The closing date is 14 July 2025

Job summary

First Steps Nursery is a purpose built NHS workplacenursery for staff working for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. A brand new build has been built onsite at the Conquest Hospital and opened in January 2022. The nursery provides full day care for 56 children a day aged 4 months to 8 years.

We are looking to recruit a nursery practitioner to compliment our existing experienced team.

The successful candidate will need to hold a minimum NVQ level 2 in Childcare & Education (or equivalent) and have had some work experience with children under the age of 5 years. The successful candidate also will need to demonstrate they have a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, be an effective communicator and show flexibility in working hours during a week so that we can continue to provide flexibility within our service.

Main duties of the job

To assist the Management team in providing the highest quality Childcare and Education, in a safe, caring and stimulating environment.

To look after and plan Educational Activities for the children attending the full day care services. To maintain child to staff ratios and work within and follow the Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) and Trust procedures and policies.

To plan and execute and evaluate the education / play programme appropriate to age of child within the childcare provision (registered from 4 months 8 yrs.) following the national framework for foundation stage

Provide appropriate play opportunities and interact in a positive manner with the child/ren whilst in our care.

Assist in setting out rooms with toys and arrange furniture to enable children to access them.

Communicate effectively and with added detail to enhance child's language and learning opportunities on one to one basis or within a group.

Communicate effectively to parents/carers and with concise detail about their child's day ensuring good practice of shared information, which will benefit the child and parents/carers

Work within the framework of the nurseries behaviour management procedures when needing to discipline children.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £30 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Details

Date posted

30 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-LC5425-C

Job locations

Conquest Hospital

729 The Ridge

St Leonards on sea

TN37 7RD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description, for any further questions or queries, please contact the appointed manager.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description, for any further questions or queries, please contact the appointed manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general level of education including Maths and English
  • NVQ level 2 in Childcare and Education

Desirable

  • Level 3 in childcare & Education

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working in a setting with the under 5's age group.

Desirable

  • Experience working with babies
  • Experience working with children at holiday clubs
  • Experience of working with children with additional needs

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of the Early Years Goals and Foundation stage
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Effective communication skills both verbal and non-verbal

Desirable

  • Safeguarding training
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Good general level of education including Maths and English
  • NVQ level 2 in Childcare and Education

Desirable

  • Level 3 in childcare & Education

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience working in a setting with the under 5's age group.

Desirable

  • Experience working with babies
  • Experience working with children at holiday clubs
  • Experience of working with children with additional needs

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of the Early Years Goals and Foundation stage
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Effective communication skills both verbal and non-verbal

Desirable

  • Safeguarding training

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Conquest Hospital

729 The Ridge

St Leonards on sea

TN37 7RD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Conquest Hospital

729 The Ridge

St Leonards on sea

TN37 7RD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Childcare Manager

Nicola Sullivan

nicola.sullivan1@nhs.net

03001315218

Details

Date posted

30 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,169 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-LC5425-C

Job locations

Conquest Hospital

729 The Ridge

St Leonards on sea

TN37 7RD


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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