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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Unqualified Nursery Assistant

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

The Unqualified Nursery Assistant supports the nursery team in delivering high-quality early years care and education. Working under the guidance of qualified practitioners and room leaders, the role focuses on safe, nurturing routines, hands-on support during play and learning activities, and strong relationships with children and parents. This is an entry-level position ideal for candidates starting a career in early years or looking to gain practical experience while working toward childcare qualifications (e.g., Level 2/3 NVQ/CACHE or equivalent). Key priorities include safeguarding, basic health & hygiene, supporting EYFS outcomes, and contributing to a positive, inclusive nursery environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Volunteering in nurseries, playgroups or holiday schemes
  • School leaver roles (e.g., support worker, after-school club assistant)
  • Customer-facing roles with transferable skills (retail, hospitality)

Advancement To:

  • Qualified Nursery Assistant / Early Years Practitioner (after Level 2/3 qualification)
  • Room Leader
  • Deputy Nursery Manager
  • Nursery Manager or Early Years Teacher (with further qualifications)
  • Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) or Early Years SEND specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Teaching Assistant (primary schools)
  • Nanny or childminder
  • Family support worker / community childcare roles

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist the room leader and qualified staff in planning and delivering play-based learning activities aligned to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), supporting children’s personal, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
  • Supervise and engage with children throughout the day, encouraging positive behaviour, social skills, independence and curiosity in a consistent, nurturing manner.
  • Support daily routines for children including arrival and collection procedures, handwashing, toileting, nappy changing, feeding, sleep routines and dressing, ensuring dignity and privacy at all times.
  • Maintain a clean, safe and stimulating play environment by setting out resources, tidying toys promptly, reporting hazards and carrying out light cleaning tasks in line with nursery policies.
  • Assist with the preparation and serving of meals, snacks and drinks, adhering to dietary requirements, food safety and allergy guidance; promote healthy eating and table manners.
  • Observe children’s play and behaviour and accurately record informal observations, incidents or changes in wellbeing; escalate safeguarding or developmental concerns to senior staff promptly.
  • Build strong, professional relationships with parents and carers: pass on day-to-day information, support handovers at pick-up and drop-off, and contribute to positive parent partnerships.
  • Implement and follow safeguarding and child protection procedures, including reporting disclosures, completing incident forms and participating in multi-agency referrals where required.
  • Support children with additional needs under the guidance of SENCO or qualified staff; carry out agreed individual support strategies and maintain confidentiality.
  • Assist with the induction and supervision of new or temporary staff, students and volunteers by modelling routines and basic childcare practice.
  • Help plan, set up and supervise indoor and outdoor activities, outings and trips, ensuring appropriate adult-to-child ratios and accurate risk assessments are followed.
  • Contribute to the upkeep of children’s records, learning journals and room documentation using paper or digital systems; support key persons in collating evidence for assessments.
  • Promote inclusive practice by adapting resources and activities to meet the needs, cultures and abilities of all children and by modelling positive language and behaviour.
  • Participate in routine health checks and medication administration as directed by senior staff, following nursery medication policies and recording accurately.
  • Support transitions within the nursery day (e.g., sleep, mealtimes, change of age-group), helping children settle and maintain consistent attachments.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of nursery routines, emergency procedures and evacuation plans; take part in regular fire drills and health & safety checks.
  • Follow infection control measures and nursery cleaning schedules, including toy sanitation and laundry, to minimise the spread of illness.
  • Provide first response care for minor injuries and accidents, including basic first aid and comfort; report and document accidents in line with nursery policy and notify parents.
  • Support continuous improvement by giving practical feedback to senior staff on resources, room layout and daily operations to enhance children’s experiences.
  • Help to prepare and present displays of children’s work and learning environments that reflect learning outcomes and celebrate progress.
  • Assist with behaviour management strategies under the direction of senior staff, using positive reinforcement and consistent boundaries to support children’s social development.
  • Participate in staff meetings, handovers and training opportunities; complete mandatory online or in-house training such as safeguarding and basic hygiene.
  • Support site logistics including laundry, restocking nappies/wipes/consumables, and checking nursery equipment, reporting broken items for repair or replacement.
  • Act as a positive ambassador for the nursery when representing the setting at parent meetings or local community events as requested.

Secondary Functions

  • Aid in basic administration tasks such as taking phone messages, filing consent forms, updating contact lists and scanning documents into children’s records.
  • Support fundraising and special event days by helping to set up, supervise activities and interact with visiting families and community partners.
  • Take part in reflective practice and contribute ideas to team discussions on activity planning, room improvements and curriculum enrichment.
  • Support tracking and monitoring of basic attendance records and notify relevant staff of absences or unexpected changes to children’s schedules.
  • Assist with orientation and tours for prospective parents, sharing day-to-day insights about the nursery routine and ethos when requested by senior staff.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) principles or willingness to learn and work to EYFS outcomes.
  • Understanding of basic safeguarding and child protection procedures; ability to recognise signs of concern and report immediately.
  • Basic first aid knowledge or willingness to undertake Paediatric First Aid certification; comfortable providing first response care.
  • Food hygiene awareness and safe handling of meals and snacks, including allergy and dietary management.
  • Practical experience with nappy changing, toileting support and supporting personal care routines sensitively and hygienically.
  • Experience or willingness to record observations and contribute to learning journals using paper or digital systems.
  • Ability to support routine risk assessments and follow health & safety protocols for indoor and outdoor play spaces.
  • Familiarity with SEN support approaches, including implementing simple targets under guidance and adapting activities for diverse needs.
  • Basic ICT literacy to use nursery management software, email, tablets or spreadsheets for record-keeping and communication.
  • Knowledge of behaviour management strategies for young children (positive reinforcement, distraction, routines).
  • Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and appropriate record-keeping for children’s personal information.
  • Practical skills in setting up play resources, sensory trays, art materials and outdoor play equipment safely and creatively.

Soft Skills

  • Strong communication skills with children and adults; clear, patient and positive in handovers with parents and colleagues.
  • Empathy and emotional warmth, able to form secure attachments and respond sensitively to children’s needs.
  • Reliability and punctuality with a strong sense of responsibility for children’s safety and daily routines.
  • Team player mentality: flexible, cooperative and able to follow instructions while contributing practical ideas.
  • Good observation skills and attention to detail when monitoring children’s wellbeing and development.
  • Organisational skills to manage multiple tasks calmly during busy periods (mealtimes, sleep, arrival/collection).
  • Resilience and calm under pressure; able to prioritise and respond to unpredictable situations.
  • Creativity and enthusiasm for play-based learning and activity preparation.
  • Cultural sensitivity and inclusiveness, respecting family backgrounds, languages and customs.
  • Professional boundaries and discretion when dealing with confidential or sensitive information.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • No formal childcare qualification required for unqualified entry, but a good standard of basic education (e.g., GCSEs or equivalent) is desirable.
  • Right to work in the country and willingness to obtain DBS/CRB or equivalent background checks.

Preferred Education:

  • Level 2 or Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Early Years, Childcare, CACHE, NVQ or willingness to work toward these qualifications while employed.
  • Paediatric First Aid certificate (or willingness to obtain).
  • Food hygiene and safeguarding training (or willingness to undertake on induction).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Early Years Education
  • Childcare and Development
  • Education, Psychology or Health & Social Care

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–2 years in a childcare, nursery, playgroup, or related role (voluntary or paid experience welcomed).

Preferred:

  • Some prior experience supporting young children (0–5 years) in a nursery, preschool, playgroup, childminding or family setting.
  • Experience working with children with additional needs or supporting behaviour strategies is advantageous.
  • Demonstrable commitment to working toward recognised childcare qualifications and ongoing professional development.
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