Rewarding Career in Childcare with St Lawrence’s Day Nursery and Pre-school

Are you passionate about giving children the best possible start in life? Do you bring enthusiasm, compassion, a positive attitude, and a strong sense of teamwork to everything you do? If so, we would love you to join our team of passionate professionals at St Lawrence’s.

How to Launch Your Early Years Career and Unlock Growth Opportunities

Childcare Apprenticeships: Your Pathway to Becoming an Early Years Practitioner

Working in early years education requires a wide range of skills—from emotional intelligence and effective communication to time management and report writing. If you have these qualities, there are several pathways into this deeply rewarding sector.

One of the best ways to begin is through a nursery apprenticeship, where you will gain hands-on experience alongside structured training. Whether you are new to childcare or looking to build on existing experience without formal qualifications, our apprenticeships offer a supportive route into the profession. At St Lawrence’s, we are here to help you grow every step of the way.

Level 2 Qualification

You can achieve your Level 2 childcare qualification either through further education (e.g. college) or via a fully funded apprenticeship with St Lawrence’s. While GCSEs in English and Maths may be required, we will guide you through the entry requirements and help you get started. Once Level 2 qualified, you will be ready to work as a Nursery Assistant.

Level 3 Qualification

A Level 3 childcare qualification prepares you for more responsibilities, such as becoming a Room Leader or Nursery Supervisor. You can join us with an existing Level 3 qualification or progress from Level 2 while working with us through a fully funded apprenticeship.

Continuous Professional Development

As a growing company, we are committed to promoting from within. We take pride in recognising and rewarding excellence, and we support team members who are eager to advance their careers. Together, we will identify your training needs and provide the tools and experience to help you reach your professional goals.

So why choose us?

A Nurturing Environment

We are a family-oriented business that places a strong emphasis on the well-being and development of our team. Our team members are the heart of our success, and we are committed to valuing, supporting, and investing in their growth. Through comprehensive training and ongoing development, we empower our team to thrive in their careers and make a lasting impact on the children in our care.

Comprehensive Training & Development

  • Regular appraisals with personalised feedback and career development plans
  • Ongoing supervisions and wellness check-ins with your manager
  • Access to Early Years qualifications and continual professional development
  • Mandatory training provided in EYFS, Safeguarding & Child Protection, Paediatric First Aid, Health & Safety, and Food Hygiene
  • Strong partnerships with training providers to support team members undertaking apprenticeship programmes, ensuring any external training is based locally
  • Clear internal promotion pathways through our talent management programme

Safeguarding Commitment

St Lawrence’s is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff and candidates to share this commitment. As part of our recruitment process, all positions require an enhanced DBS check and professional references.

Hear it directly from our Team

Fran

I have worked in childcare since 2010, supporting children of all ages, and have been in management since 2015. In 2023, I was delighted to join St Lawrence’s Day Nursery and Pre-school as the Pre-school Manager.

I am passionate about helping every child reach their full potential by creating a happy, nurturing, and inclusive environment where they feel safe, valued, and encouraged to thrive. Building strong relationships with children and their families is at the heart of everything I do, and I enjoy supporting them throughout their journey with us.

As the nursery’s SENCO. I have a real passion and dedication for supporting children with additional needs. I am committed to understanding each child’s individual strengths and challenges, advocating for them, and working closely with families and outside professionals to ensure they receive the support they need to flourish. Seeing children overcome challenges, grow in confidence, and achieve their goals is what makes my role so rewarding.

Elisha

For nearly six years at St Lawrence’s Day Nursery, I’ve grown as a nursery practitioner in a place that truly feels like a second home. I love the sense of community here: the warm, supportive team who share ideas and celebrate wins, and the trusting relationships with families that make our work so meaningful. Watching children flourish—seeing their confidence blossom, their curiosity spark, and their milestones stack up—reminds me daily why I do this. I value the nursery’s child-centred ethos, the emphasis on play-based learning, and the freedom to be creative while still feeling guided and respected. Each day brings variety, laughter, and purpose—and that combination keeps me energised, proud, and excited to keep growing with St Lawrence’s.

Zoe

I enjoy working at a nursery because I love supporting children’s learning and development during such an important stage of their lives. I find it rewarding to help them build confidence, learn new skills, and see their personalities grow. I also enjoy creating fun, engaging activities and building positive relationships with the children, their families, and my colleagues. Every day is different, and knowing I’ve made a positive impact on a child’s day is what I enjoy most.

Jamie

What I love about working at St Lawrence’s Nursery as a chef is knowing that the meals I prepare help children grow, learn, and enjoy healthy food. Seeing their smiles and hearing that they’ve enjoyed what I’ve cooked makes my job rewarding. After nearly three years, I’ve built great relationships with the children and staff, and I enjoy being part of such a caring and supportive team. Every day is different, and I take pride in providing fresh, nutritious meals in a safe and welcoming environment. Being trusted in my role and knowing that my work contributes to the children’s wellbeing makes me feel valued. I genuinely enjoy coming to work and being part of a nursery that cares about both its children and its staff.

Victoria

Working in an early years setting with children aged 0–2 is incredibly rewarding, and I genuinely love being part of such an important stage in their development. As a Room Leader and Deputy Manager, I enjoy creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where babies and toddlers can grow, learn, and reach their individual milestones. Building strong relationships with the children and their families allows me to support each child’s unique needs while giving parents confidence that their child is receiving the best possible care. I take pride in leading my team, supporting colleagues, and helping to maintain high standards of practice throughout the setting. Seeing the children develop new skills, gain confidence, and thrive every day is what makes my role so fulfilling and inspires me to continue making a positive difference in their early years.

Hayley

I have been part of the St Lawrence’s Day Nursery family for an incredible 23 years, working across all age groups, from babies and toddlers to preschool. Throughout my career, I have built a wealth of knowledge and experience, developing a deep understanding of each stage of a child’s early development. I am passionate about helping every child reach their full potential by creating engaging, nurturing, and inspiring learning experiences. Watching children flourish and being part of their early years journey is what makes my role so rewarding. I am proud to be part of the St Lawrence’s team and is dedicated to providing a safe, caring, and stimulating environment where every child feels valued, happy, and encouraged to thrive.

Sofia

I enjoy supporting toddlers as they learn, grow, and reach new milestones. Building positive relationships with children and their families, creating engaging play-based learning experiences, and helping each child develop confidence and independence are the most rewarding parts of my role. I value providing a safe, nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

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