Job Description

Nursery Assistant/ Practitioner (Lunch Cover)

Toad Hall in Rayleigh

Part of Grandir UK

Salary £12.71 - £13.60 per hour (depending on experience and qualifications with regular pay reviews)

Join a supportive, child focused nursery offering strong benefits, flexible working and genuine career progression.

Our Toad Hall in Rayleigh, is looking for a caring and enthusiastic Early Years Assistant to join our team. You will play a key role in caring for, supporting and inspiring our children, encouraging curiosity and helping them thrive every day.

Why You’ll Love Working at Toad Hall

At Toad Hall, you will be part of a welcoming and supportive team who genuinely care about one another. We create a positive working environment where everyone feels valued, respected and supported to grow.

Core Benefits

• 35 days annual leave including bank holidays, with 3 days used during the Christmas shutdown period
• Christmas and New Year shutdown
• Flexible working options available
• Big childcare discount
• £500 refer a friend bonus
• Company pension scheme with employer contributions
• Statutory Sick Pay from day 1
• Life assurance for employees aged 18 to 65
• Certified Great Place to Work, voted for by our current colleagues

About Our Nursery

We have four bright, spacious playrooms designed to meet the needs and interests of each age group, along with a sensory room for focused or quiet play. Children move between rooms based on readiness, with typical age groups: Otters (babies), Toads (toddlers), Badgers (preschool), and Moles (older preschool).

Our purpose-built woodland-style garden features climbing frames, a sandpit, mud kitchen, and gardening patch, providing a safe, stimulating space that encourages curiosity, play, and physical and mental development.

We love taking children on community outings to explore our local area. Families are invited to join as helpers, allowing visits to places such as the public library and other local attractions, enriching children’s learning and experiences.

Location and Travel

Toad Hall, our Rayleigh nursery, is conveniently located on the grounds of Wyburn Primary School, on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea. It’s easily accessible by car and on direct bus routes from Southend-on-Sea and surrounding areas.

What you will be doing

• Supervise and support children at all times
• Prepare and supervise activities under the guidance of Level 3 qualified practitioners
• Contribute to maintaining an attractive and welcoming environment for the children
• Read, understand and implement all company policies, procedures and operational practices
• Maintain a positive attitude at all times with children, parents, visitors and colleagues
• Attend regular staff meetings, planning meetings and undertake training as required

Enhanced Family and Wellbeing Benefits

• Maternity and adoption leave paid at 100 percent for the first 12 weeks
• Paternity leave paid at 100 percent for 4 weeks
• Parental bereavement leave up to 4 weeks paid
• Compassionate leave up to 2 weeks paid
• Miscarriage leave up to 2 weeks paid
• Wellbeing Day, an extra day off just for you
• The Grand Event, up to an additional week of annual leave to attend a significant life event after 2 years’ service

Even More Benefits

• Employee benefits portal with hundreds of retail discounts including ASOS, gym memberships, cinema, M and S and major supermarkets
• 24 hour remote GP appointments
• Medical cashback for dental treatment, physiotherapy and alternative therapies
• Recognition, rewards and team celebrations throughout the year, with May dedicated to celebrating our teams
• Tailored in-house training and genuine progression opportunities
• Sustainability focus with Carbon Literacy trained teams and Eco Schools accreditation

Grandir UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check is required for this role and will be carried out by our approved third party provider.

We are an equal opportunity employer and recruit based on merit. To support our recruitment process, we may use AI-assisted tools for tasks such as application screening and reference checks. These tools help us manage applications efficiently, and all hiring decisions are made by our team.

Apply today. We review applications as they are received and may close the role early.

#Nursery Assistant #Early Years Foundation Stage #EYFS