Job summary
- Main area
- Childcare and Education
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Working Monday to Friday)
- Job ref
- 374-LVBLC003-A
- Employer
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Eastbourne DGH
- Town
- Eastbourne
- Salary
- £24,465 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 18/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Nursery Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 2
We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.
We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £568 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.
Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.
Job overview
Rainbow Nursery is a purpose built NHS workplace nursery for staff working for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
The successful candidate will need to hold a minimum NVQ level 2 in Childcare & Education (or equivalent) and have had some work experience with children under the age of 5 years.
The successful candidate also will need to demonstrate they have a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, be an effective communicator and show flexibility in working hours during the week, Monday to Friday so that we can continue to provide flexibility within our service.
In addition further training will be offered and the opportunity to progress with support to a level 3 qualification
Main duties of the job
To assist the Management team in providing the highest quality Childcare and Education, in a safe, caring and stimulating environment.
To look after and plan Educational Activities for the children attending the full day care services. To maintain child to staff ratios and work within and follow the Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) and Trust procedures and policies.
To plan and execute and evaluate the education / play programme appropriate to age of child within the childcare provision (registered from 4 months 8 yrs.) following the national framework for foundation stage.
Provide appropriate play opportunities and interact in a positive manner with the child/ren whilst in our care.
Assist in setting out rooms with resources and arrange furniture to enable children to access them.
Communicate effectively and with added detail to enhance child’s language and learning opportunities on one to one basis or within a group.
Communicate effectively to parents/carers and with concise detail about their child’s day ensuring good practice of shared information, which will benefit the child and parents/carers
Work within the framework of the nurseries behaviour management procedures when needing to discipline children.
Working for our organisation
A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.
In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.
There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.
Statement on the Use of AI
We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.
Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.
We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description, for any further questions or queries, please contact the appointing manager.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Good general level of education including Maths and English
- NVQ level 2 in Childcare and Education
Desirable criteria
- Level 3 in childcare & Education
- Paediatric First Aid Training
Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous experience working in a setting with the under 5’s age group.
Desirable criteria
- Experience working with babies
- Experience working with children at holiday clubs
- Experience of working with children with additional needs
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
- Jessica Webb
- Job title
- Childcare Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 03001315547
- Additional information
Please contact Jessica Webb for an informal conversation about the role
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