Early Years Educator

Storal Learning Ltd; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A childcare provider in Maidstone is seeking a passionate Lead Early Years Educator (Third in Charge) responsible for leading the educator team, ensuring children are safe, and fostering a love of learning. Candidates must have a Level 3 qualification in early years and experience with all age groups. This role offers competitive pay, various benefits including childcare discounts, wellness days, and professional development opportunities, all in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Childcare discount

Paid sick leave

Wellness day off

Gym discount

Qualifications

• Qualification in early years at Level 3 or higher is mandatory.
• Experience working with children across all age groups is essential.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the EYFS framework.

Responsibilities

• Encourage a love of learning through high quality teaching.
• Ensure children are safe and have stimulating experiences.
• Lead, motivate, and inspire the educator team.

Skills

Knowledge of EYFS

Team leadership

Experience with all age groups

Education

Level 3 or above qualification in early years

Job description

Nursery: ٻن Hemsley House Nursery School, Maidstone, Kent, ME16

Hours: Full Time, Monday - Friday and casual roles available

Salary: Up to £14.50 per hour (dependent on qualifications and experience)

Benefits: Performance related bonus, 50% childcare discount, wellness day and much much more

Hemsley House spans two beautifully converted Victorian homes in Maidstone, just a 10-minute walk apart. Both buildings have a welcoming, home-from-home feel and are full of original charm, including stunning stained‑glass windows.

Our large garden areas suy our children the freedom to explore and enjoy outdoor adventures. With features like a preschool camp area分析teepees, a mud kitchen699,{ and climbing equipment, the outdoors becomes an extension of the learning environment.

Inside, our designated preschool classroom supports school readiness in a focused, nurturing setting. Our experienced and passionate team brings a wealth of early years knowledge, tailoring each child’s experience to their pace, needs, and interests.

At Hemsley House, we encourage independence, imagination, and a love of learning every single day—laying strong foundations for a happy and confident future.

Who & What is Storal?

It’s our collective group of Nurseries that we are Z happily a part of here at Hemsley House. Storal stands for high quality outcomes for children and are passionate about Early Years. Bringing your whole self is a must if that’s pink hair, being Neurospicy or having a unique pastime, we encourage it all. Your unique self is what makes our Nursery even better. Check out our website to learn about our leaders and the expertise they bring to our Storal community.

About you:

We are looking for a passionate and ambitious Lead Early Years Educator (Third in Charge) who will work in partnership with the educator team to ensure the successful running of the nursery.

About the role:

As a Lead Nursery Practitioner, you will be a key part of keep our children safe, loved and inspired to learn. Key activities include:

• Encouraging a love of learning through high quality teaching under the EYFS framework
• Ensuring all children are kept safe and have rich stimulating experiences
• Building relationships with the team to create an inspiring working environment
• Leading, motivating and inspiring the educator team
• Being the third in command in the nursery after the Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager
• Identifying areas of change and implementing

Must haves:

• Level 3 or above qualification within early years
• Experience working with all age groups within Early Years
• Knowledge and understanding of the EYFS

Why work for us:

Benefits at a glance

For you - We get the basics right

enhanced holidays, paid sick pay, extra wellness day off (yearly) and accessing your pay before payday with PayCaptain

Family matters - Balance starts at home

Childcare Discount + Funding, compassionate leave & enhanced maternity (and more)

Health & wellness - Nourishing body & mind

Partnerships with Vitality & Peppy; fertility & menopause support, gym discount, free movie tickets and more

Development - Investing in your future

Micro‑learning, financial stability tools & Storal Support Fund

Our community - Growing together Termly inset days, team app & Storal Awards gathering.

Enhanced DBS check and subscription to the DBS Update Service

We partner with world‑leading third parties such as Pay Captain, Vitality, and Peppy.

And much much more

We care about our people

Curious to know more?

We’d love to tell you more about what makes Hemsley House so special.

Storal is the highest of standards when it coming to safeguarding, the welfare of children and creating a submarined/licful environment that encourages feedback-discussion-resilience. We take our role in the safety of children, our families and our team extremely seriously. As governed by the EYFS, we have a designated safeguarding lead in each setting and all staff (and volunteers) complete a thorough compliance checks prior to employment including employment references & DBS.