Why Hopscotch?
As an independently owned family business we know and understand that staff are our most important asset, which is why we invest in each member of staff from day one. We encourage open and friendly working environments, with regular supervision and appraisals, and emphasise individual responsibility and accountability across all job roles. This helps create team cohesion and unity with the aim of providing the highest quality childcare for our children and parents at all times.
A strong management structure provides a framework ensuring equality of opportunity and fairness for all. As a well-established group of nurseries, Hopscotch provides job security and opportunity for personal and professional growth in every role we employ.
We’re always on the lookout for new people to join Hopscotch, so please send us CV to jobs@hopscotchmail.com for future consideration if you don’t see an open position in line with your experience.
Career Progression and Development
There are many opportunities for career progression and development at Hopscotch - some of our current Nursery Managers started as trainee practitioners over 25 years ago!
Early Years Roles:
There are lots of ways to grow your skills, develop your experience and build a rewarding career. Here are some of the opportunities available:
Unqualified Nursery Practitioner
What you need
- No experience or qualifications required. You need an interest in working with children and a willingness to learn
Ways to get there
- There are lots of ways to get started at Hopscotch. We offer flexible opportunities including zero hour bank staff roles and part time lunch cover positions
Level 2 Qualified Practitioner
What you need
- Level 2 Childcare Qualification
Ways to get there
- Level 2 Apprenticeship for the Early Years Practitioner (Minimum 15 months duration)
Level 3 Qualified Practitioner
What you need
- Level 3 Childcare Qualification
Ways to get there
- Level 3 Apprenticeship for the Early Years Educator (minimum 17 months duration)
Lead Nursery Practitioner
What you need
- Level 3 Childcare Qualification
Ways to get there
- Option to complete Level 5 Apprenticeship for the Early Years Lead Practitioner (Minimum 23 months duration)
Early Years Teacher
What you need
- Qualified Teacher Status or Early Years Teacher Status
Ways to get there
- Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) if you hold a Degree (12 months duration)
OR
- Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship if you hold a L3 Early Years Qualification (36 months duration)
We can explore a variety of courses and areas for progression. Talk to your nursery manager if there are any specific areas you would like further training or development in!
Leadership Roles:
If you enjoy supporting others and making a difference on a larger scale, these roles could be for you!
Deputy Nursery Manager
What you need
- Level 3 Childcare qualification
- Nursery experience
- A passion for supporting children, families and teams
Experience you’ll build
- Leadership and management experience
- Working alongside the Nursery Manager to support the day-to-day running of the nursery
- Building confidence in safeguarding, parent partnerships and operational responsibilities
Nursery Manager
What you need
- Level 3 Childcare qualification
- Strong experience within a nursery
- Confidence in leading and supporting teams
Experience you’ll build
- Nursery management experience
- Leading and developing teams
- Business and operational skills
- Building strong relationships with families, staff and external professionals
Senior / Area Manager
What you need
- Level 3 Childcare qualification
- Significant leadership and management experience within Early Years
- Confidence in supporting multiple teams and settings
Experience you’ll build
- Strategic management experience
- Supporting and developing teams
- Leading quality improvement and growth initiatives
- Coaching and mentoring nursery leadership teams
There are many ways to grow your skills and interests. Talk to your line manager about training and development opportunities available to you!
Staff Benefits
Annual Celebrations
Annual staff socials and celebrations and regular recognition events and rewards
Enhanced Maternity Pay
An enhanced maternity pay package for eligible staff, to support you through parenthood.
50% Childcare Discount
We understand the importance of supporting staff in their personal lives too which is why we offer a generous 50% discount to staff for their childcare needs.
Wellbeing Champions
Wellbeing Champions and Employee Assistance Programme to support staff mental health & wellbeing
Career Progression
Opportunities for professional development with apprenticeships and training.
Christmas Closure
Enjoy paid time off between Christmas and New Year, so you can relax and spend time with loved ones.
Current Vacancies
Apprenticeships
We place a great value on training our future leaders from the start of their careers, which is why we run a well-established and well-respected apprenticeship programme. In order to attract the best candidates we pay almost double the National Minimum Wage for apprentices, which ensures our apprentices can live comfortably whilst studying and completing their training.
Recognition Awards
We understand the importance of recognising the hard work that our staff teams put in day in day out in looking after our children at Hopscotch. That’s why we run our Hopscotch High Five initiative which recognises consistent good performance and achievements. Staff can be nominated by their Nursery Management Team, our Leadership Team might think recognition is deserving or any of our parents can make a nomination at any time by completing our Hopscotch High Five nomination form.
A Happy Place to Work
We greatly value staff input into how we run our nurseries which is why they have opportunities to share their thoughts on this. We have open forum staff meetings as well as undertaking regular staff surveys to gauge staff contentment and satisfaction as well as canvassing their opinion about any changes we can make. This frequent staff input is essential to creating a happy team environment where everyone’s opinion matters.
