Level 3 Childcare Practitioner

Hales Valley Multi Academy Trust is a primary academy trust, based in Dudley, West Midlands. We currently consist of five very different primary schools, ensuring that our Trust is a diverse and exciting place to work and learn.

We put our children at the heart of everything we do and are dedicated to providing them with an enriching curriculum, underpinned by our overall commitment to high standards across the board.

We value our staff and ensure that they are well supported and trained. We have a continual professional development guarantee that provides a clear career pathway of training and opportunities for all staff at all levels.

Our family of schools work closely together, ensuring that staff and children benefit from sharing the excellent practice that exists across the Trust. Our schools are well supported by the Local Governing Committees, the Board of Directors and the Trust Central team.

We believe that we are stronger together - all schools sharing capacity, resources and expertise. We believe that collaboration is fundamental to providing the best learning opportunities through a meaningful curriculum where children and adults acquire the knowledge, skills and positive attitudes to prepare and strengthen them for their role in society: today, tomorrow and in the future. We support and care for each other, especially when things go wrong; we are a family.

This role provides you with an opportunity to join our family to improve outcomes for children. If you are interested in finding out more please do get in touch - we would be very happy to meet with you.

Gig Mill Primary School is a vibrant and nurturing learning community where children flourish academically, socially and emotionally. In March 2024, we were proud to join Hales Valley Trust, further strengthening our commitment to excellence, collaboration and opportunity for every child.

Our beautiful setting, with extensive grounds, woodland areas and wildlife spaces, provides a rich and inspiring environment for pupils to explore and grow. Classrooms are warm, bright and engaging spaces that encourage curiosity, independence and deep thinking.

At Gig Mill, children thrive because they feel safe, valued and motivated. ‘Together we care, Together we succeed’ is more than our motto, it underpins our belief that high expectations, strong relationships and a powerful sense of belonging help every learner achieve their very best.

Our curriculum is ambitious, exciting and designed to instil a lifelong passion for learning. While we ensure strong foundations in English and Maths, we enrich learning through meaningful experiences both inside and outside the classroom, helping children make connections, think deeply and develop confidence in their abilities.

We are incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful on‑site swimming pool, enabling us to offer high‑quality swimming provision for our pupils as part of our broad and enriching curriculum. The facility is also used for wider community programmes, helping children develop confidence in the water and enjoy new physical challenges.

Our school also has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Resource Base, a twelve‑place specialist provision supporting children with autism who are cognitively able to engage with the mainstream curriculum but benefit from a more supported, therapeutic environment. This dedicated base provides tailored approaches, sensory‑friendly spaces and a nurturing setting that helps children thrive academically and emotionally.

We are also proud to offer a school Nursery as part of our Early Years Foundation Stage. With a spacious, well‑resourced indoor environment and a wonderful outdoor area, the Nursery provides an exceptional start for our youngest learners. Early Years practitioners work closely with parents and carers to ensure every child begins their educational journey with confidence, joy and curiosity.

'We are a values-led school, with our values driving our decision making'

The Role- Childcare Practitioner

HVT Vacancy Reference: HVT0721

We are seeking a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Nursery Practitioner to join our supportive nursery team on a maternity cover basis. In this rewarding role, you will help deliver high-quality care and education for young children, supporting their learning and development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). W

The role includes acting as a key person for a group of children, supporting their individual needs, working in partnership with parents and contributing to planning, assessment and daily nursery routines.

This is a 32.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year position, Grade 5, with an actual salary of £20,019 - £21,820 per annum.

You will:

• Be an effective practitioner with the ability and desire to improve their practice
• Have high expectations of yourself and others
• Have a proven record of working in a nursery/EYFS environment
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Be highly organised, motivated and flexible with the ability to inspire and challenge children
• Be able to promote the vision and values of the school, demonstrating high professional standards.
• Recognised Level 3 qualification in childcare

We can offer you:

• Highly motivated staff
• A leadership team whose focus is on improving outcomes for our children
• Children who value learning and supportive parents
• An ethos of valuing staff and their Professional Development
• A stimulating learning environment which is conducive to learning
• Employee benefits
• EAP Programme

For more information about this exciting role, please see attached Job Description/Person Specification attached to this advert.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Amanda Payne via email apayne@gig-mill.dudley.sch.uk

Closing Date: 28.6.2026

Shortlisting: TBA

Interviews: TBA

Additional Information:

Hales Valley Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974