Job summary
- Main area
- Childcare
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- 15 months (Fixed Term/Secondment)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 279-8057215-JUN26
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Sussex House Nursery, Sussex House Building
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £28,392 - £31,157 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/07/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 08/07/2026
Employer heading
Senior Early Years Educator
Band 4
About our Trust
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
Maternity Cover - 15 months
Senior Early Years Educator NHS B4 (Baby Room)
The Candidate must have a min Level 3 NVQ in Childcare & Education AND have high levels of knowledge and Experience with the EYFS
Are you an experienced Early Years practitioner ready to step up and lead your own room? We’re looking for a confident and passionate Senior Early Years Educator to join our friendly, supportive nursery team.
If you love motivating others, creating inspiring learning environments, and helping children thrive—this could be the role for you!
The Sussex House Nursery, Royal Sussex County Hospital Brighton is looking for a qualified and very experienced Senior Early Years practitioner to lead a small team in our baby playroom (6-15mths).
Excellent NHS Pension
Excellent Annual leave
Internal applicants should note that this opportunity will be offered on a secondment basis. Before applying, internal colleagues must discuss the opportunity with their current line manager to confirm whether they can be released from their substantive role if successful.
Release to undertake a secondment is not automatic and must be agreed between the colleague, their current line manager, and the recruiting line manager.
Main duties of the job
As Senior Early Years Educator your role is to oversee the day to day running of the playroom, ensuring the care, educational and welfare requirements are met by the staff within the room.
We are looking for a highly competent candidate who with the support of play room colleagues will create a safe, caring and stimulating environment for children under the age of 5 years. To encourage the children's development and understanding through play and other learning experiences.
This is a Fix Term Post covering maternity leave.
As the Lead in the playroom a good understanding of the delivering the Early Years Curriculum (EYFS) and working with Ofsted outcomes is vital.
The candidate must have prior experience of building and maintaining strong parent partnership working. They 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 and delegate duties is a must for this post.
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
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
To abide by and adhere to the Nursery mission statement “Our Nursery puts your child first”, we require the following in a candidate:
- To role model ‘Best Practice’ To be up to date in current thinking and practice and ensure the room is delivering the best possible curriculum for the children.
- To meet with the Nursery Manager / Deputy Manager on a regular basis to discuss performance development, playroom, and individual needs.
- To be responsible for a Key Group of children. To support their all-round development in the following areas: Physical, Intellectual, Language, emotional, social skills, and cultural needs.
- To encourage all areas of the children’s development with the appropriate learning opportunities and play opportunities.
- To be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day practise within the playroom.
- Supporting staff, students, and volunteers with the daily routine of the nursery
- To engage work with other Health, Education and Safeguarding professionals.
- Ability to conduct 1:1 supervision with newly appointed junior staff, students, and volunteers.
- Support students on placement to ensure they cover the relevant learning criteria.
- To devise playroom action plans and contribute to the wider department planned actions.
- To be confident to support the team of the daily routine in the absence of the Nursery Manager and/or Deputy Manager
- To support ‘Shared Care’ learning with other settings.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Childcare Qualification NVQ /NNEB/CACHE/ City & Guilds/ BTEC Min Level 3
- Knowledge of milestone development of children under 5 years
- Knowledge of Safeguarding Young Children
- Knowledge of Planning and Implementing a early years curriculum (EYFS)
- Knowledge of Ofsted Inspection Outcomes
- Knowledge of Early Childhood Illnesses / Allergies / care Needs
Desirable criteria
- Level 4 Qualification in Early Years
- Full Paediatric First Aid Certificate
- Food Hygiene Certificate
- SEND Related Training
Experience and Skills
Essential criteria
- Substantial post qualifying experience of childcare
- Substantial experience of being a Key Carer
- Substantial experience of working in a team
- Substantial experience of partnership working (parents / professionals)
- To implement activities which are appropriate for the development and interests of the individual and group.
Desirable criteria
- To conduct 1:1 supervision with newly appointed junior staff, students, and volunteers.
- Experience of other Health, Education and Safeguarding concerns
- Experience of conducting Parents Evenings / School Visit
- To hold good I.T. Skills i.e. Word Doc
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Tracey Gregory
- Job title
- Childcare Services Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07920870801
- Additional information
Samantha Scott, Nursery Manager
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01273 664583
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