Early Years Educator

Rdehospital; Exeter; On-site; GBP 24,000 - GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution in Exeter is seeking an experienced Room Lead, Early Years Educator to drive the delivery of quality childcare services. The role involves planning and implementing engaging learning activities that cater to children's individual needs while fostering their development in a nurturing environment. Ideal candidates will be passionate about early years education and teamwork, ready to support NHS staff with their childcare needs. You will benefit from attractive salary packages, development opportunities, and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Flexible working

Discount services

Qualifications

• Experience working in early years settings.
• Knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum.
• Passion for nurturing child development.

Responsibilities

• Deliver inclusive learning activities for children.
• Support and develop team members.
• Maintain high standards of care and education.

Skills

Childcare skill

Creativity

Organization

Communication

Education

Qualified Early Years Educator

Job description

Our nursery provides childcare provision only to colleagues working at the Royal Devon.

It’s set on our Wonford site in a purpose built, spacious building and generous outdoorspaces – a perfect setting for fun, play, and learning! Which is reflected in our Ofsted Outstanding Provider rating and the happy children who attend from 3 months to 5 years old.

Our mission is to ensure that children’s wellbeing and development is central to all that we do.

We promote learning in a fun, stimulating, language-rich environment, nurtured through play and meaningful interactions; following children’s interests to motivate and inspire them to become active learners.

We recognise the importance of the roles that our parents have in supporting the NHS,so it is important to us that our parents can attend their place of work, knowing that their child’s individual needs are met, and that they are being cared and supported to learn and develop to meet their full potential, in a way that is unique to them.

We care for up to 129 children a day in five rooms with access to our different outdoor play spaces which include:

• a large Astroturf area
• a spacious woodland area
• an extensive full enclosed grass area
• Core hours are 8.00am – 6.00pm

Are you an experienced Room Lead ready for a new challenge or an Early Years Educator looking for the next step in your career? Join ourOfsted Outstanding ratedFirst Steps NHS Nursery team!

We’dlove to hear fromEarly Years Educators with apassion fornurturing anddeveloping children and your colleagues as theygrow. In return,we offer a rewarding career, working in amazing facilities, where you canmake a difference to the children of NHS colleagues, plus you’llreceive a brilliant package of benefits .

About the Role

As a Room Lead, Early Years Educator, you’ll use your creative flare and organisation skills to support your team to deliver a brilliant programme of fun, inclusive, learning activities for the children around their interests and care needs.

Drawing uponyour knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum to develop theskills of the team within your room. You’ll encourage the use of ourfantastic outdoor spaces to benefit the children by experiencingdifferent environments and developing their sense of the world and themselves.

The working day is extremely rewarding and involves both child and adult led learning opportunities with the children. Examples of these activities includingsharing stories, dressing up, ‘messy play’, games,and above all, instilling a sense offun!

• Be part of the teamthat creates anurturingenvironment and delivershighstandardsofcareandeducation
• Plan, implement,and evaluateactivitiestosupportthecareanddevelopmentofchildrenattending ournursery
• Regularlyupdate records regardingchildren’sprogressandcare,feeding back toparents/carers
• Encouragebest practicesand thedevelopmentof staffknowledgeandskills
• Ensuresafeguardingstandards aremaintained
• Supporttoall otherChildcare Services provisionasrequired

About you

We’d love to hear from experienced, organised, and passionate qualified Early Years Educators, looking to progress or already in aRoom Lead role.

You’regreatwith people ofall agesbut especially thechildrenin yourcare, helping them todevelopandgrowthroughfunandplay.Professional developmentis something you arekeentopursueas well assupportingyour colleagues develop their skills.

A DBS check will be required, we’ll cover the costs now and for renewals in the future.

Working Pattern:37.5 hours per week. 08:00 - 18:00 across 4 days per week (Monday to Friday). We welcome applicants looking to work full days on either a full or part-time basis.

Interview Date:To be confirmed

For further information please contact: : Rachel Berriman, Nursery Manager on 01392 405858

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

About Us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more

It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.

• Salary Band 3: £24,937 - £26,598 per annum pro rata + 5% RRP until 31/03/2026
• Frequency Annual
• Vacancy Reference 185-63302-12482
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 23 February, 2026
• Job Category Cleaning & Facilities