Job summary
- Main area
- Nursery Assistant
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 2
- Contract
- Fixed term: 1 year (up to)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Working Monday to Friday - varied shift pattern)
- Job ref
- 374-LCLVB002
- Employer
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Rainbows Nursery
- Town
- Eastbourne
- Salary
- £24,169 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 23/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Nursery Assistant - Maternity Cover
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 workplace nursery for staff working for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. The nursery provides full day care for 62 children a day aged 6 months to 8 years. Open Monday to Friday 7am until 6pm.
The nursery is purpose built with a separate Early Years building for care of our under 2's
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated Full time Nursery Assistant to join our team, for up to one year maternity leave cover. The successful candidate will need to hold a minimum NVQ level 2 in Childcare & Education (or equivalent) & 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 a week so that we can continue to provide flexibility within our service. Shifts are given 4 weeks in advance
In addition and as requested by the children within our nursery, they would like the successful candidate to:
be happy with a smiley face
- have lots of fun with us
- give good cuddles
- tell lots of stories (we like using lots of different props)
- do silly dances
- play lots of games with us
- play dressing up with us
- go on our outdoor adventures with us
- like to get messy!
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 6 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 toys 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 nurseries at Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne District General Hospital, staff restaurants and on-site staff accommodation.
In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme which is available to staff 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Onsite parking is available for a small administration fee.
There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the job description attached.
If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.
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
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Understanding of the Early Years Goals and Foundation stage
- Good organisational skills
- Effective communication skills both verbal and non-verbal
Desirable criteria
- Safeguarding training
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
List jobs with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in Nursing and Midwifery