Nursery Practitioner Maternity Cover

This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified Nursery Practitioner to join our friendly and supportive Pre-Prep team at Holmewood House School.

We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic practitioner to join our Nursery team on a fixed-term basis to provide maternity cover until at least 7 July 2027. The role can be term-time only or all year round, and the successful candidate will play an important part in providing high-quality care and education for our youngest children within a nurturing environment.

We offer a welcoming and supportive working environment where staff are encouraged to give their best every day.

Full details of the role are outlined below. If you would like to have an exploratory conversation regarding the role, please contact our HR Department at View email address on tes.com .

About Holmewood House School

Holmewood House is a prestigious independent Prep School of 400 pupils aged 3-13 years, set amidst 32 acres of the most beautiful Kent countryside, just outside Tunbridge Wells. The School is a happy and supportive working environment, where we pride ourselves on the exceptional provision for our pupils and staff in all areas.

Holmewood House provides a broad, well-balanced curriculum with outstanding teachers in what is very much a family school where the positive relationships between the teachers and children allows staff to get to know and understand the individual needs of each and every child. They foster their talents and nurture their growth through a challenging and exciting curriculum.

The school wholeheartedly believes that emotional and social well being, self-esteem, happiness and confidence are of prime importance and are in themselves inextricably linked to academic progress. Staff are excited by the curiosity and thirst for learning that each child, regardless of their ability, naturally displays. They work hard to allow each child to ask why, to query and to have the time to develop their thoughts into fresh discoveries and innovations and, in doing so, overcome the challenges faced. The end result is the celebration of learning – a reward in its own right!

The wonderful environment and outstanding facilities provide a strong framework upon which the ethos of ‘allowing children to be children’ can be achieved. Childhood is full of exciting new experiences which, parents and teachers relive, through the eyes and laughter of the children.

The relationship between home and school is of fundamental importance in ensuring every child is surrounded by the love, care and guidance which they require as they make their way through their educational journey. In short, the partnership allows the children to enjoy the most important journey of all: childhood.

Commitment to safeguarding

Holmewood House is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and all staff, volunteers and other third parties are expected to share this commitment. The school adopts a rigorous safer recruitment process which is adhered to in the appointment of all new members of staff. As part of the safer recruitment process, all applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including, but not limited to, checks with past employers and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

The role

This full-time position offers the opportunity to join our strong and successful Pre-Prep Nursery team and work alongside enthusiastic and dynamic colleagues. You will be required to ensure all children have the opportunity to engage in the Early Years curriculum according to the school’s requirements. Within the school day, it is fundamental that you facilitate opportunities for children to experience successful learning of knowledge and abilities, including ‘soft’ skills. The ideal candidate will be passionate about education and the EYFS and will have an ability to connect with pupils to create positive and trusting relationships. We are looking for an individual who will uphold the school’s key three values; Aspiration, Self- belief and Kindness. Experience and a passion for outdoor education would be beneficial.

Holmewood House Pre-Prep is a co-educational, comprising of an Early Years department and Key Stage 1 department. Our Early Years department comprises of A Pre-Nursery for rising 3s, a Nursery Unit for 3 to 4s and three Reception forms.

More details of our school can be found on our website

This role reports to the Head of Nursery.

Key responsibilities

To carry out the duties of a Nursery Practitioner as circumstances may require and in accordance with the school's policies under the direction of the Head of Holmewood House Pre-Prep, Head of EYFS and Head of Nursery.

Teaching and learning

• To assist in the educational and social development of pupils under the direction of the Nursery Lead, Head of Learning Strategies, Head of EYFS, Head of Pre-Prep and Head Teacher of Holmewood House

• To endeavour to give every child the opportunity to reach their potential and meet high expectations

• To share the responsibility for pastoral care of the children

• To attend relevant staff meetings and participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as identified in appraisal and annual reviews

• To assist with cover for absent colleagues as directed by the Head of Pre-Prep and Head of EYFS

• To promote good relationships between staff and parents

• To establish and maintain a positive regard towards pupils

• To fulfil the role of Nursery Practitioner and contribute to the monitoring and the needs of the children, including making observations on Tapestry

• To keep abreast of current issues and attend training as necessary

• Ensure your working practices are appropriate to meet ISI standards and requirements

• To deliver intervention booster lessons or lead phonics groups when required.

Other requirements

• To contribute to the corporate life of the school through effective participation in meetings and management systems necessary to coordinate the management of the school

• To take part in marketing and liaison activities such as Open Evenings, Parents Evenings, Review days and events with partner schools

• To take responsibility for own professional development and duties in relation to school policies and practices

• To assist with the organisation of school trips and attend trips where required

• To engage in the School appraisal system

• To liaise effectively with parents and governors

• Attend any required out of working hours activities e.g. training, staff meetings, parent evenings

• To undertake After School Care duties or clubs as required

• To undertake any duties or tasks as reasonably requested by the Head teacher of the Pre-Prep or the Head of Holmewood House

Person specification

• Hold a relevant and recognised Early Years qualification at Level 3 or above.

• To work, effectively as part of a team and be able to reflect on advice and suggestions made by colleagues and ensure sharing and effective usage of resources to the benefit of the school, department and pupils.

• To work under the direction of colleagues, as required across the school.

• Be pro-active and use own initiative where required

• To display positive and professional communication skills with both staff and pupils

• To be a positive role model towards the Holmewood House community

• To support the aims, ethos and values of Holmewood House.

• The ability to inspire, motivate and support pupils and colleagues

• To keep up to date with all Holmewood House policies and the Holmewood House Handbook

• To set a good example in terms of punctuality and attendance

• To be flexible in approach and support colleagues as required

• Be able to exercise discretion and confidentiality at all times

• Build positive rapport with pupils and personal warmth to gain the confidence of pupils staff and parents

• To respect confidentiality within the Pre-Prep and the Holmewood House community

Whilst every effort has been made to outline the main duties, responsibilities and requirements of the post, the list is not exhaustive. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from their direct line manager or other members of the management/leadership team to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this .

It is understood that areas of responsibility are from time to time subject to review and change in light of the changing needs of the school environment and the professional development of the staff. This may therefore be amended from time to time.

Salary

Term time Only: £23,753. All year round: £29,992.

Pension & School Benefits

Holmewood House offers a range of benefits including a generous employer contributory pension, free parking, the benefits of term-time working and free lunch/refreshments.

Hours of work

8.00am–4.00pm four days per week and 8.00am–5.00pm one day per week, including a 30-minute unpaid lunch break each day (38.5 paid hours per week). The term-time option comprises 34 working weeks per year, including INSET days. The all-year-round option comprises 50 weeks per year, including annual leave.

There may also be opportunities to undertake additional paid work during the School holidays through the School's holiday courses and activities.

Start date

October 2026

Offer

The successful applicant will be offered the role subject to the satisfactory completion of a number of background checks including but not limited to; an enhanced DBS check, the taking up and verification of references, the verification of career history and fitness to undertake the role.

Safeguarding

All staff have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with whom they come into contact and are required to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding policies at all times.

Application

If you wish to be considered for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found on our website and email to View email address on tes.com

The closing date for applications is Friday 25 September 2026 , however the school reserves the right to short-list and interview candidates ahead of the closing date.

If you would like more information on the role or require a hard copy application form please contact: View email address on tes.com