Baby Room Practitioner
at Mini Malvern

We're looking for a committed and dynamic Baby Room Practitioner to join our expanding Mini Malvern nursery team.

About our Educational Setting

The Downs Malvern is a busy, vibrant and successful co-educational preparatory school for boarding and day children aged between 6 months and 13 years. The school is part of the Malvern College Family of Schools and is situated in extensive, beautiful and safe grounds on the Herefordshire side of the Malvern Hills. The facilities are first class and, through a wide range of exciting and challenging opportunities, we are able to offer each child an outstanding preparatory education.

The nursery comprises three bright, modern classrooms and two outdoor gardens with adventure play areas, in addition to accessing The Downs Malvern’s beautiful 55-acre site, including a Forest School and a smallholding with pigs, quail, chickens, and sheep.

Find out more about working at The Downs Malvern.

The Role

The Downs Malvern are looking to recruit a Baby Room Practitioner to be part of our newly expanded Mini Malvern Nursery for children aged 6 months and up.

This is a chance to be part of a high calibre team in a culture that emphasises the development of people.

In this role, you will be responsible for supporting our youngest children in our ‘Acorns’ room and will work closely with the Nursery Manager to ensure the Nursery provision remains at a consistently high standard. You will have a passion for Early Years Education and a willingness to nurture and support children in their early development.

If this role is an opportunity that excites you, and you believe that you have the necessary skills, experience and attributes, then we would be delighted to receive your application.

If you have a query regarding the application process, please contact the Human Resources Team either via email humanresources@malverncollege.org.uk or by phone 01684 581 647.

Apply Online Now

Hours and Benefits

This role can be worked on a flexible basis either part time or full time and can be discussed at interview. A full time basis is 40 hours per week. Mini Malvern is open from 8am to 6pm, 49 weeks a year. We close for bank holidays, as well as one week at Easter, one week in August, and one week at Christmas.

  • Rate of pay: up to £13.10 per hour (dependent on qualifications).
  • 25 days’ holiday per annum plus public holidays, 6 of these days will be used as part of shut down, therefore you will have 19 days to book throughout the rest of the year.
  • Contributory pension scheme with Royal London (successful candidates will be auto-enrolled after successfully completing 3 months service).
  • Generous membership terms (family and personal) for the College Sports Facility.
  • Free on-site parking.
  • Cycle-to-Work scheme.
  • Free access to the Malvern College Library.
  • Personal Accident Insurance cover.

Responsibilities and Person Specification

Key Responsibilities
  • Be a nurturing and positive influence on the babies in our care
  • Be able to engage with, care for and inspire children;
  • Contribute to the day-to-day organisation and smooth running of the baby room;
  • Be responsible at all times as part of the wider team for high standards of care and education of children between 6 – 24 months in accordance with statutory requirements;
  • Assist the other staff in giving regular feedback to parents about their child’s development and progress;
  • Prepare the classroom indoors and outdoors and ensure that it is safe, clean and tidy at the start and end of each session;
  • Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment which facilitates children’s autonomous, independent learning and enable children to maximise their full potential;
  • Establish and maintain good partnerships with colleagues, parents and carers, outside agencies and children including good home-school links;
  • Work collaboratively and demonstrate a positive work ethic and strong team spirit.
Other Professional Requirements
  • To carry out basic First Aid duties (training will be provided);
  • Be prepared to attend training as necessary ensuring all legislative training is kept up to date;
  • To observe and manage all Health and Safety requirements to maintain a safe environment for students, colleagues and parents;
  • To establish effective working relationships with professional colleagues and other staff, as appropriate;
  • To have a working knowledge of all relevant Policies and Procedures;
  • To be committed to ensuring that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their potential and meet the high expectations set for them;
Safeguarding Responsibilities
  • Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons with whom you come into contact.
  • Reporting any safeguarding concerns, including low level concerns, to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or their Deputy in a timely manner.

This post involves significant contact with children and the post holder will be responsible for children. The post holder will be considered to be in regulated activity.

Person Specification
Essential Desirable
Education and Qualifications
  • NVQ level 3 qualification in either Early Years or hold another recognised qualification at NVQ3 level or above, for example NNEB qualification, degree with teaching qualification and QTS (must be full and relevant).
  • Basic Food Hygiene
  • Paediatric First Aid Certificate
Experience, Knowledge and Understanding
  • Knowledge and experience of caring for and educating babies aged 6 months to 24 months.
  • Baby specific training including but not exhaustive of: SIDS safer sleep, working with under 2’s.
  • Experience of working in partnership with parents.
  • Knowledge of EYFS learning, development and welfare and safeguarding requirements.
  • Knowledge of the value of working in partnership with parents.
  • Experience of working with children with additional needs.
  • Experience of using Famly or alternative.
  • Knowledge of recent developments in early years’ education.
  • Knowledge of the importance of child attachment.
Role Related and Personal Skills
  • Love working with children, be active and enthusiastic, reliable and honest.
  • Enthusiastic and energetic.
  • A team player.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Resilient and Resourceful.
  • Ability to make decisions quickly and solve problems as and when they arise.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with pupils, staff, and parents.
  • All applicants need to have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for the role.
  • A positive approach and warm approachable manner.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Flexible, including a willingness to assist Open Mornings.
  • Able to follow instructions.
  • Be competent in the use of ICT to support record keeping in the setting.
  • Ability to write reports and keep clear and accurate records.
Apply Online Now
a happy baby playing in a ball pit
baby playing with plastic balls
nursery practitioner looking after baby
young kids playing in a ball pit in nursery
An aerial view of a countryside town featuring lush greenery, buildings nestled among trees, and an outdoor sports field where a game is in progress. Hills and forests frame the background under a partly cloudy blue sky.