Careers

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Are you looking to join an award-winning nursery group with a family feel,

that goes above and beyond to appreciate and recognise their staff?

We are beyond proud of the Bright Little Stars Family we have built since our opening in 2013. After expanding to 6 nurseries over the past 8 years, we have had the pleasure in supporting numerous Bright Little Stars team members to grow from strength to strength, both personally and professionally, changing roles and locations in order to meet personal and professional goals. We are not just a business, we are a family. We create a culture of staff appreciation, supporting each other EVERY day by recognising teams as our most valued asset, the roots to our blossoms. In order to retain a happy, motivated and engaged team, we embed this by leading by example.

We continuously look for new ways to reward our Bright Little Stars Family (you can’t help but spoil your own family right!) From ongoing additions to our benefits package (including regularly raising salaries!) to introducing a whole new wellness programme with incredible perks, we want all the family to enjoy their time at work, as well as be happy in their personal life.

4.9/5* Indeed Rating & Winners of ‘The Teresa Graham CBE People Award’

Winners of the NDNA Nursery of the Year Award – South Of England 2023!

We are committed to providing the highest standards of childcare and education and we recognise the key role our staff play to make this possible.  We aim for our staffing levels to exceed the statutory requirements for staff to child ratios in order for our staff to carry out their role to the best of their ability.

Please take a look at our recruitment pages to see what current vacancies we have available.

Join now and receive a £500 welcome bonus!*

At Bright Little Stars we go above and beyond to ensure our children learn from a diverse team of Early Years Educators. Early Years has one of the most gender-imbalanced workforces, therefore, we are privileged to be signed up to the Men in the Early Years Charter which shows how we value our male team members, from our Trainee Apprentices through to our Qualified Teachers.

Supporting Men in the Early Years brings many benefits to our children and this can also contribute to a more holistic, nurturing environment.  Having men in the setting provides children with a more accurate reflection of the gender mix of their community and the world around them. Male Educators can provide a positive male role model experience and can also help reduce the attainment gap by having men championing and encouraging learning which may help develop a more positive attitude towards education.

Children can benefit from the different experiences and caring styles men bring to our profession. Research suggests gender differences in relation to attitudes to healthy risk-taking with men allows children more freedom to take on new challenges which children respond positively to, in addition to the variety of input through a range of activities which are challenged in different ways.

By being signed up to the Men in the Early Years Charter, Bright Little Stars, are showing that we value men’s potential to make a positive contribution to the children we are privileged to care for.

Jonathon – Nursery Educator

It is important to have men working in the Early Years alongside female staff as society needs to recognise that men equally can nurture and help develop a child’s mental and physical skills to the same high standard. In my own experience, I have found that some children at the early stages of settling at nursery have felt more secure when I have been around to support them. I have felt very supported by my Management Team, since joining in September 2016 as they have always believed in the principles of the MITEY.

Toby – Nursery Educator

I wanted to work in Early Years because I want to support children and help them achieve their fullest potential, to ensure they have as good a start in life as possible. A man in early years also serves as a positive role model for children, especially for children who may not have a male role model in their life; likewise, we can be equally caring and supportive. What I enjoy most about working in this industry is that every day offers something different with the children, whether it is through the activities they play and join in with or speaking with children during their play and making them laugh. I am always grateful to see the children smiling when I am around, knowing they appreciate me being there with them as well as the gratitude of their parents when we discuss their progress and their day. I joined Bright Little Stars in May 2017.

Phil – Nursery Educator

I have been working in childcare for over 16 years and am always keen to see children thrive, reach their full potential, and successfully guide them on their own personal growth and development. I have worked with all different age groups and always love helping everyone to feel positive and motivated. I have a passion for early years and think it’s an excellent sector to work in. Since being with Bright Little Stars, I have continued to further my career and be a part of one of the top nurseries. I highly rate working in early years and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tate – Trainee Apprentice

I am currently studying Level 3 in childcare. I have chosen this path because I aspire to build a career in the early years industry. Prior to joining BLS, I worked as a rock-climbing coach. This is where my passion for working with children originated. During one of my sessions managing toddlers, I realized my affinity for working with this age group and providing support to young children. Since Spring 2023, I have been an apprentice at the nursery. Working in the Orion room, I have forged strong connections with the children. This experience has helped me understand the uniqueness of each child and their individual needs. I am eager to continue my journey in Early Years education, aiming to become a qualified educator and eventually assume the role of a key person. I am particularly excited about the prospect of being a key person, as it aligns with my career aspirations.

Sean – Assistant Nursery Educator

I wanted to work in Early Years because I believe that working with young children is one of the most rewarding and impactful things I could do in terms of my career. Working with young children while they are still forming an understanding of themselves and the world and the people around them provides the opportunity to positively impact their social and emotional development for many years beyond just the time spent with them in the classroom. Working in Early Years, I am confident that I am showing the children an example of a fun, thoughtful, considerate and caring male role model. Forming connections with the children and feeling like an important positive role model is a very rewarding experience. I joined Bright Little Stars in March 2023.

Nasif – Nursery Educator

Working with children in Early Years is important as they are at a vital stage of their life. I chose working in early years as it is a great opportunity to provide a more holistic nurturing environment for the children, allowing them to achieve their full potential. I enjoy working in Early Years as it provides a sense of fulfilment witnessing the progression the children make both in their academic and social development, as well as it being a rewarding role. Being able to build bonds with children is a unique opportunity, and being able to provide education in a fun and stimulating way is always great!

Join now and receive a £500 welcome bonus!*

Here at Bright Little Stars Nursery, we recognise our employees as our most important asset, they are a part of our ‘Family!’

Data suggests early childhood education seems to lack a healthy work-life balance. Most Early Years Educators receive far less recognition than they should be given how big a role they play in childhood development.

Staff well-being is prioritised at Bright Little stars! We genuinely care about our employees and having positive mental health is essential to maintain a happy workforce, increasing productivity and sustainable growth thus Happy and Positive Children! Supporting mental well-being is important for both employees and the setting. We pride ourselves in providing tools and benefits to empower our staff to bring greater positivity into their daily routine and techniques that can be used to support this.

All of our managers are qualified Mental Health First Aiders which enables them to confidently support and signpost you to external contacts in regard to mental wellbeing such as counsellors, should you need.

We understand there can be times when you are feeling the pressures of work and home life a bit much, therefore you can have a coffee in our parent lounge and take a few minutes out! We strive to provide a pressure-free environment by going above the recommended ratio requirements, with all classrooms having additional staffing with a reliable supply of familiar cover staff.

Everyone contributes to mental well-being in our workplace and by doing so delivers a wide range of benefits to employees, our nurseries, and children in our care.

We continuously look for new ways to reward and show our appreciation to our Bright Little Stars Family ‘ from ongoing additions to our benefits package such as staff appreciation events, Bright Little Stars Wellbeing Programme including free weekly PT sessions, Bright Little Stars Staff Development Programme with paid study days and support for upskilling including EYITT, Employee Assistance Programme and Performance-related bonus up to 10% of your salary per annum paid every 6 months. In 2022 we also listened to our current staff and changed policies and procedures and introduced a 5 year and 10 Year Service Reward including health insurance a paid vacation of your choice!*

In addition BLS host “Time to Talk Thursdays”, a nurturing initiative hosted by our nursery senior staff to prioritise the well-being of our team members.
These dedicated sessions provide a safe space for staff to share, discuss, and receive support for any challenges they may be facing. Whether it’s work-related stress, personal issues, or simply a need for guidance, our senior staff are there to listen, offer advice, and provide encouragement. By fostering open communication and a supportive environment, we aim to promote the mental and emotional wellness of our staff, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of care and service we provide to the children in our care

Hear what our staff say:

“Head Office and Management are genuinely interested in the wellbeing of the staff and are always on-hand to offer support and guidance. Training is constantly being implemented to ensure staff feel competent in what they are doing and able to achieve their fullest potential.”

“We want all of the Bright Little Stars family to enjoy their time at work, as well as be happy in their personal life.”

“Bright Little Stars is the best company I’ve ever worked. They really care about their employees.”

“I have recently moved to Bright Little Stars and finally have the work/life balance I have been looking for.”

“Working at Bright Little Stars you have an array of benefits some of these benefits include, free hot meals every day, a staff wellness programme, and regular team building activates.”

“I feel that the benefits offered at Bright Little Stars are greater than any other nursery I have worked for. We have snacks and lunch provided daily, bonuses, an employee of the month, and fun days out. The management team is approachable and always tries to assist in any way they can.”

“There is good work-life balance and you’re always offered support and encouragement.”

Join now and receive a £500 welcome bonus!*

This groundbreaking initiative is poised to redefine industry standards by revolutionising professional development within the early year’s education sector.

In response to the challenges faced by the industry – including financial constraints, limited career progression, and the demanding nature of work-life balance – we’ve crafted a comprehensive programme designed to empower every team member to reach their full potential.

Backed by research highlighting a growing workforce crisis in early childhood education, our Career Academy addresses these issues head-on. Through a blend of mentorship, tailored training academies, and structured pay enhancements, we’re creating a culture of continuous improvement and professional success.

Central to our approach is our annual training plan, offering a curated selection of opportunities tailored to individual needs. From mandatory training to continuous professional development, staff can pursue excellence and earn recognition through our prestigious Silver and Gold Academy awards.

Already making waves with our Key Person Academy route, which launched last year, we’re on track to transform professional development across all Bright Little Stars sites. Level 2 qualified staff are now eligible for our bonus scheme and equipped to excel as highly competent Key People.

Join us as we embark on this journey to elevate the standards of early childhood education through the Bright Little Stars Career Academy.