Early Years
All colleagues will be required to hold a clear and valid DBS check.
Level 1 childcare student
As well as starting you on a new career path the Level 1 Student position is a fun, interactive and a practical way of learning. By undertaking a level 1 qualification you will gain valuable work experience, mentor and tutor support on a 1:1 or group basis.
Take a look at Lauren’s story here and find out how a level 1 qualification helped her to become a Room Manager at Tops Day Nurseries.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
Working towards Level 1 Childcare Certificate
Progression Possibilities:
Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeship upon completion
Level 2 Playwork Award upon completion
What We Expect:
Unqualified Childcare Apprentice
Working as a team with colleagues in the nursery to provide a high standard of childcare by undertaking various duties around the nursery, whilst studying towards your Level 2 Childcare qualification.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications
To view a list of our current apprenticeship vacancies, please click here.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
Working towards Level 2 Childcare Apprenticeship
or
Working towards Level 2 Playwork Award
Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly)
Progression Possibilities:
Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship upon completion
Level 3 Playwork Certificate upon completion
What We Expect:
Level 2 Practitioner/Nursery Assistant
Contribute to the development and execution of activities within the nurseries, providing support to colleagues where necessary and providing a safe, nurturing environment for all children.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications
To view a list of our current level 2 and nursery assistant vacancies, please click here.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
Post-Qualifying experience with children ages 0 to 5 years old
Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly)
Progression Possibilities:
Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship
Level 2 Customer Service Apprenticeship
What We Expect:
Level 3 Practitioner
You will be responsible for delivering the Early Years Framework, ensuring individual needs of the children in the setting are met through various plans and activities, whilst providing support to staff within the setting.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications
To view a list of our current level 3 practitioner vacancies, please click here.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
Post-Qualifying Experience with children ages 0 to 5 years old
Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly)
Progression Possibilities:
Level 2 Customer Service Apprenticeship
Level 3 Customer Service Apprenticeship
What We Expect:
Senior Practitioner
Exercising enhanced responsibilities and levels of practice within the nursery. You will support the Room Manager with various tasks, whilst also ensuring staff within the room are trained and mentored effectively, acting as a role model to colleagues.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications
To view a list of our current senior practitioner vacancies, please click here.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Level 3 Childcare Diploma
- 2 + years’ experience with children ages 0 to 5 years old
- Experience acting as a ‘Key Worker’ to a group of children
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly)
- Experience mentoring and supporting team members, alongside senior management
Progression Possibilities:
Level 3 Customer Service Apprenticeship
Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship
Level 5 Childcare Diploma – Advanced Practitioner
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
What We Expect:
Room Manager
You will manage the day-to-day running of a specific room within a nursery, leading and motivating the team and providing a positive environment for the children.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications
To view a list of our current room manager vacancies, please click here.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Level 3 Childcare Diploma
- 3 + years’ experience with children ages 0 to 5 years old
- Previous experience of managing a nursery unit
- Excellent communication and organisational skills;
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly)
- Strong leadership skills, to inspire both children and colleagues
Progression Possibilities:
Level 3 Customer Service Apprenticeship
What We Expect:
Deputy Manager
You will assist and support the manager with the running of the nursery and will be responsible for providing leadership and management to nursery staff in absence of the Nursery Manager.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications and Management Qualifications
To view a list of our current deputy manager vacancies, please click here.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Level 3 Childcare Diploma
- Strong experience managing and mentoring colleagues within a similar environment;
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly)
- Strong leadership skills, to inspire both children and colleagues
- Health & Safety Certificate
- Willingness to work towards Level 5 Childcare Diploma – Advanced Practitioner
Progression Possibilities / Requirements:
What We Expect:
Nursery Manager
You will lead and manage a team of Childcare practitioners and apprentices to deliver high quality, flexible childcare for parents within the local community and strive to achieve ‘Outstanding’ at Ofsted Inspections.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications and Management Qualifications
To view a list of our current manager vacancies, please click here.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Level 3 Childcare Diploma
- Previous experience managing a nursery setting, or strong experience as a Deputy Manager within a similar environment
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly)
- Health & Safety Certificate
- Level 5 Childcare Diploma
Progression Possibilities / Requirements:
Early Years Teacher Status
Early Years Professional
Level 3 Customer Service Apprenticeship
Level 5 Childcare Diploma – Advanced Practitioner
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
What We Expect:
Senior Nursery Manager
You will support local Nursery Managers with delivering high quality, flexible childcare service for parents within the local community, through supporting them in regards to staffing, Ofsted Inspections and Developing resources within the nurseries, supporting their nursery managers to achieve/maintain ‘Outstanding’ at Ofsted Inspections.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications and Management Qualifications
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Level 3 Childcare Diploma
- Previous experience managing a nursery setting
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate (or willingness to complete upon appointment, renewable 3 yearly)
- Health & Safety Certificate
- Level 5 Childcare Diploma
- Valid Driver’s License & Own Transport
Progression Possibilities / Requirements:
Level 3 Customer Service Apprenticeship
Level 5 Childcare Diploma – Advanced Practitioner
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
Early Years Teacher Status
Early Years Professional
What We Expect:
Area Manager
You will be responsible for line managing our Nursery Managers across any South West region across our settings in Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Devon and Wiltshire. A key responsibility will be to support your settings to achieve a “Good” or preferably “Outstanding” at Ofsted Inspection.
A keenness to progress with Early Years/Childcare Qualifications and Management Qualifications
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Level 5 Childcare Diploma or above
- Level 3 Management Diploma or above
- Previous experience as a senior nursery manager or area manager
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate (renewable 3 yearly)
- Health & Safety Certificate
- Valid Driver’s License & Own Transport
Progression Possibilities / Requirements:
Level 3 Customer Service Apprenticeship
Level 5 Childcare Diploma – Advanced Practitioner
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
Early Years Teacher Status
Early Years Professional
What We Expect:
Senior Area Manager
You will be responsible for line managing our Area Managers across the company and supporting the Operations Director with the activity across the company. You will step up to support the Operations Director where required and support all Area Managers with their respective sites.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Level 6 Childcare Qualification or above
- Level 3 Management Diploma or above
- Previous experience as an area manager
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate (renewable 3 yearly)
- Health & Safety Certificate
- Valid Driver’s License & Own Transport
Progression Possibilities / Requirements:
Level 3 Customer Service Apprenticeship
Level 5 Childcare Diploma – Advanced Practitioner
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
Early Years Teacher Status
Early Years Professional
What We Expect:
Operations Director
You will be responsible for ensuring all aspects of daily operations of Tops Day Nurseries run effectively and efficiently, in order for it to achieve its vision and strategic objectives. You will manage and support Area Managers and Nursery Managers to deliver childcare in accordance with Tops Mission Statement, values, ethos, policies and procedures. You will improve, where necessary, operational systems, processes and policies in support of Tops Day Nurseries ethos and mission.
Qualifications & Experience
Hold a Level 5 Early Years Education/Childcare NVQ (or equivalent)
Hold Early Years Professional Status (Level 6 relevant qualification);
Hold at least Level 4 in ‘Leadership & Management’ NVQ (or equivalent);
Previous experience as a Senior Area Manager or Operations Manager/Director;
Valid Driver’s License and Own Transport
What We Expect: