Early Years Educator

Transformationunitgm; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Haywards Heath seeks a passionate and dedicated Early Years Educator to join their team at a nursery that supports NHS employees' children. The role requires a full and relevant Level 2/3 childcare qualification, with responsibilities including providing high-quality care and learning experiences for toddlers. The position involves flexibility, communication with parents, and a commitment to inclusivity. This role offers competitive benefits and helps contribute to excellent care in the community.

Benefits

Excellent Annual leave entitlement

NHS Pension

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Hold a full and relevant childcare qualification (Level 2/3).
• Experience working with toddlers and young children.
• Good knowledge of child milestones.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality childcare in a safe and stimulating environment.
• Support children’s care and educational needs as a Key Worker.
• Plan and undertake activities based on the EYFS curriculum.

Skills

Childcare qualification

Experience with children under 5

Communication skills

Flexibility

Knowledge of early years milestones

Education

NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Early Years

Job description

Main area Early Years Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent: Full Time Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday working 9 day fortnight rota) Job ref 279-7380434-JAN26

Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Wendy House Nursery, Princess Royal Hospital Town Haywards Heath Salary £24,937 - £26,598 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 21/01/2026 23:59

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard‑working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

Previous applicants need not to apply

Early Years Educator (minimum Level 2 in Early Years)

Full Time Post: 37.5hrs over a 9 day fortnight - Mon to Fri

Older Toddler Playroom: 2-3 year old

Do you have a passion for early years education and hold a full and relevant childcare qualification.

We are looking for an Early Years Educator who is motivated, enthusiastic and full of fun and wants to be part of an NHS nursery?

Our nursery is based at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath with a team of highly experienced staff nursery.

The post holder will be required to have a full and relevant Level 2/3 Diploma in Early Years with experience of working with in an EYFS setting.

Wendy House Nursery, is a NHS workplace nursery that has a team of highly professional workforce where the needs of children come first.

Inspected by Ofsted in January 2024, achieving a grade 'Good' we value the importance of excellent parent partnership and flexible childcare in a NHS workplace nursery.

Excellent Annual leave Entitlement

Excellent NHS Pension

We are looking for someone who is motivated, flexible, and passionate about the care and learning of children under the age of 5 years.

The Wendy House Nursery cares for babies and young children of NHS employees. We are open from 7:00 to 18:00 with staff working a variety of shifts. It is essential to be flexible and able to travel to Haywards Heath to work various shifts.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a practitioner who really enjoys working with older toddlers. The 2 - 3 year olds has a broad developmental skills and abilities, so the ideal practitioner should have good knowledge of child milestones. It is a playroom where children's personalities are developing quickly and where building confidence and forming friendships begins. Being part of this playroom is giving a fun, nurturing and guiding approach.

Experience with SEND children would be useful.

This is a qualified position, and the post holder will be required to support a 'Key Group' of children supporting their care and educational needs.

Good knowledge and experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is essential as you will be planning and undertaking activities, carrying out observations and individual assessments.

You must show flexibility and adaptability as each day can be very different but equally enjoyable and imaginative. Being able to retain information, and use initiative is a must for this post.

The role will involve spending time in the outdoor environment.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To work alongside colleagues to provide a high‑quality childcare service by creating a safe and stimulating atmosphere for children to play, learn and develop.
• To work alongside colleagues in the delivery of an effective EYFS curriculum that supports the children’s interest and stage of development.
• To work with the nursery daily routine; working within the indoors/outdoors learning areas and local community.
• To engage with children in creative and sensory play
• To be a 'Key Worker' to a small group of children support and develop their care and educational needs.
• Provide caring support and good communication with parents/carers and children, understanding and appreciating diversity

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Childcare Qualification NVQ Level 2 or 3
• Experience working with children under the age of 5 years
• Experience working with Young Toddlers and Babies
• Experience with Parent Partnership Working
• Experience working within a Team environment
• Knowledge of Early Years Milestones
• Knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection
• Understanding of Diversity and Equality Practice for Children, Families and Staff
• Awareness of Health, Hygiene and Safety procedures in the workplace
• Experience of being a Key Worker to a group of children
• Paediatric First Aid Certificate
• Experience of working in other Early Years settings
• Experience of Special Educational needs and requirements
• Demonstrate Excellent Verbal and Good Written skills

Equality and Diversity

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non‑Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.