Nursery Team Leader | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Are you an experienced level 3 Nursery Nurse looking for the next step as a Team Leader? Or perhaps interested in moving to a new workplace that take staff wellbeing seriously?

Here at Little Dragons Nursery in Reading, we are looking for a Team Leader to join us on a full-time basis.

Our Nursery is made up of hard-working professionals ranging from Nursery Trainees to degree level practitioners and we are looking for likeminded individuals who are passionate about providing a stimulating and friendly environment for the children in our care.

You will be responsible for the day to day running of an allocated room including the daily care routines and activities as well as completing developmental reviews for the children. You will also supervise a team of level 2 & 3 Nursery Practitioners ensuring H&S risk assessments, paperwork and other relevant documentation is complete.

You may also be responsible for supporting an apprentice and ensuring that they have access to valuable experiences whilst in the nursery environment.

We offer care and education for children from 6 months old, up until they start school in Reception. Being owned by the NHS, our nurseries come highly recommended by families and the standard of care for all children links to the expectations that the NHS portray worldwide.

We offer full day care for 51 weeks per year, from 7.30am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday in which you will work on a rota basis for 37.5 hours per week.

• Maintain the standards of care and learning opportunities for the children supporting the Early Years Foundation Stage
• To assist the Manager/Deputy Manager with the development and administration of the nursery, and take responsibility in their absence
• To ensure that the highest Health & Safety standards, OFSTED regulations and Organisation policies and procedures are maintained within the nursery
• To accept full day to day responsibility for the efficient running of a specific room, ensuring that all of the children’s needs are met, and that any concerns are identified and raised with Nursery Manager/Deputy immediately
• You will be responsible for the supervision of Nursery Nurses, Nursery Assistants, apprentices, and students working within your allocated room
• To compile and maintain development records on children and report to the Nursery Manager at agreed intervals. Ensure that all records are accurate, signed and dated
• Demonstrate and lead good practice with regards to special needs and inclusion, working with the nursery and area INCO as appropriate
• To open and close the nursery
• Ensure that the standards of care and education are appropriate for their room and are in line with OFSTED requirements at all times, i.e. Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Be a key carer carrying out all related responsibilities in building relationships with a small group of children and their families

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at

Berkshire Healthcare are

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

The “must haves” for this role

• NVQ 3 in childcare or equivalent qualification in line with those listed on the ‘qualification finder’ section of www.education.gov.uk
• Solid background in childcare
• An in depth knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have.

Please don’t hesitate to call

Rebecca Croft, Nursery Manager on 0118 9585316 or email: rebecca.croft@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.

*Applications for this role will be considered on a first come first serve basis and we may close the vacancy early if the right candidate is found.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

This advert closes on Wednesday 17 Jun 2026

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.