Key Worker - Nursery

About the role

Do you have a passion for nurturing young minds and a heart for creating a fun and inclusive learning environment? We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Key Worker to join our vibrant setting. In this rewarding role, you'll play a vital part in supporting the development of our youngest learners, working closely alongside a qualified Nursery Teacher.

About the Role:

Be responsible for a designated group of children, fostering their individual needs and learning styles.

Deliver engaging and stimulating activities that promote all areas of early years development, aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

Work collaboratively with the Teacher to create a warm and inclusive environment where all children feel valued and supported.

Observe children's play and learning, documenting their progress and contributing to their individual development plans.

Build strong relationships with parents and carers, keeping them informed of their child's progress.

We are looking for someone who:

Has a genuine passion for working with young children.

Holds a relevant qualification in Early Years education (e.g., Level 3 Diploma in Childcare) or a willingness to complete it.

Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with children and parents alike.

Is a creative and resourceful individual with the ability to develop stimulating learning activities.

Is a strong team player with a commitment to inclusion and equality.

32.5 hours per week, working from 8.15 - 3.45 term time, Permanent.

If you're passionate about early years education and have the dedication to make a positive impact, we encourage you to apply! We reserve the right to interview sooner than the advertised date, for the right candidate. 

We celebrate diversity and want all members of our school community to feel included, supported, seen, and heard. We understand and cknowledge that discrimination and inequality are prevalent in society, and we work proactively to ensure that any discrimination or inequality is challenged within the school community. We expect all employees to share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and we will explore this with candidates during the interview process.

Fairlands Primary School is part of The Claxton Trust. Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and all posts are subject to a satisfactory DBS check, medical clearance, and satisfactory references. Online searches will be undertaken prior to interview. 

Why work at Fairlands?

If you are passionate and dedicated about making a difference in children's lives and are looking to work as part of a collaborative, and supportive team, then we encourage you to apply for a role at Fairlands. We are a large, inclusive and well-resourced school with a strong commitment to equalities, diversity, and inclusion. We are also firmly committed to reducing staff workload and enhancing staff wellbeing.

At Fairlands, we are FAIR – Fairlands Achieves, Includes, Respects. This vision shapes everything we do. It reflects our determination to ensure that all pupils are known, valued and supported to reach their potential. Our November 2025 Ofsted inspection recognised this vision in practice. Inspectors judged the school to be strong in five areas, including inclusion. They noted our “highly inclusive culture” where “every pupil is known, valued and supported”. They also highlighted that staff “never give up on a child” and that leaders “remove all kinds of barriers to pupils’ education”.

What makes Fairlands different?

A large, ambitious primary school
With three forms of entry and nearly 700 pupils, Fairlands offers strong opportunities for career progression and collaboration. Many colleagues have developed from support roles into teaching and leadership, supported by ongoing professional development.

A meaningful place to work
We serve higher‑than‑average numbers of pupil premium children, and staff choose Fairlands because they know they are making a real difference. Additional funding enables more classroom support, giving teachers more time to focus on high‑quality teaching.

Strong SEND provision
We have a higher proportion of children with SEND and a well‑resourced team to support them, including additional trained adults and a non‑class‑based Assistant Headteacher & SENCO who works across the school.

Calm, safe and well‑managed behaviour
Visitors immediately notice our calm, orderly environment. A consistent behaviour policy and well-trained staff ensure children can learn without distraction.

A deeply inclusive culture
As a ‘No Outsiders’ school, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We actively foster respect for all protected characteristics and expect all staff to share this commitment.

A focus on workload and wellbeing
We work hard to reduce unnecessary workload through strong support staffing, reduced paperwork, flexible working where possible, and protected PPA—on site or from home. We support wellbeing through clear leadership, open communication, confidential support services, and regular social events.