Find current childcare job vacancies in Portsmouth. Check back regularly for updates.
Find more jobs with Portsmouth City Council on the careers portal.
Advertise a childcare vacancy
To advertise a childcare vacancy on this page:
- Complete the childcare provider vacancy advertising form (PDF)
- Email the completed form to eydelivery@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Current vacancies
- Band 3 Nursery Practitioner (closing date: 13 November 2026)
- Band 4 Nursery Practitioner (closing date: 13 November 2026)
- Senior Nursery Practitioner (closing date: 13 November 2026)
- Early Years Practitioners (closing date: 31 October 2026)
- Early Years Educator and Bank Staff positions (closing date: 8 October 2026)
- Level 3 qualified Key Person (closing date: ongoing)
- Early Years Practitioner - Springwood Preschool and Nursery (closing date: ongoing)
- Nursery Practitioner - Oliver's Rainbow Nursery (closing date: ongoing)
- Practitioner - Leapfrog Neighbourhood Nursery (closing date: ongoing)
Band 3 Nursery Practitioner
Bramble Infant School and Nursery, Southsea, PO4 9NH
- Closing date: Friday 13 November 2026
- Salary: £25,948 - £26,033
- Hours: Full time (37 hrs per week) all year round and term time only posts available
We are a diverse and unique nursery in the heart of Southsea, committed to delivering excellent outcomes for all our children. Our 109 place nursery cares for children from 6 months to 4 years.
As part of this busy and varied role you will be a key worker to a group of children, implement activities to support children’s development and learning and maintain accurate developmental records. If you are ready to play, can bring enthusiasm and energy, are reliable, ambitious for the children in your care, motivated to develop your own practice, brimming with ideas and love working in a team, then we want to hear from you!
Qualifications, skills and experience
- qualified to level 3 in childcare
- prior experience of working within a nursery setting
- good working knowledge of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage
- keen to learn and wants to make a difference
- a role model who enjoys working with children
- flexible in working practices
- able to communicate effectively on all levels
- able to use initiative and work independently where appropriate
How to apply
Please apply by email to besau@bramble.portsmouth.sch.uk
Band 4 Nursery Practitioner
Bramble Infant School and Nursery, Southsea, PO4 9NH
- Closing date: Friday 13 November 2026
- Salary: £26,033 - £27,346
- Hours: Full time (37 hrs per week) all year round and term time only posts available
We are a diverse and unique nursery in the heart of Southsea, committed to delivering excellent outcomes for all our children. Our 109 place nursery cares for children from 6 months to 4 years.
As part of this busy and varied role you will be a key worker to a group of children, implement activities to support children’s development and learning and maintain accurate developmental records. If you are ready to play, can bring enthusiasm and energy, are reliable, ambitious for the children in your care, motivated to develop your own practice, brimming with ideas and love working in a team, then we want to hear from you!
Qualifications, skills and experience
In addition to the above our new Nursery Practitioner will:
- be qualified to at least level 3 in Early Years and Childcare
- have at least two years experience of working in a nursery setting
- have a proven track record of working with all age groups
- have a good working knowledge of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage
- be keen to learn and want to make a difference
- be a role model and enjoy working with children
- be flexible in working practices
- be able to communicate effectively on all levels
- be able to use their initiative and work independently where appropriate
How to apply
Please apply by email to besau@bramble.portsmouth.sch.uk
Senior Nursery Practitioner
Bramble Infant School and Nursery, Southsea, PO4 9NH
- Closing date: Friday 13 November 2026
- Salary: £29,170 - £33,119
- Hours: Full time (37 hrs per week) all year round
We are a diverse and unique nursery in the heart of Southsea, committed to delivering excellent outcomes for all our children. Our 109 place nursery cares for children from 6 months to 4 years.
The successful candidate will be fully responsible for the day to day running of our 2 to 3 year-old room. You will be a positive role model of good practice and professionalism with a commitment and drive towards meeting our whole school vision. You will have a warm and positive approach and a good knowledge of child development and safeguarding. You will support and supervise the nursery team, take on the role of key worker to a group of children and implement activities to support children’s development, whilst maintaining accurate developmental records in this busy and varied role.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
- Be qualified to at least level 3 in childcare however, qualifications to a higher level are desirable.
- Have at least four years experience of working as a Nursery Practitioner and preferably a proven track record of working with children of all age groups.
- Have an understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Ofsted inspection Frameworks (Early Inspection Framework).
- Have some experience of leading a team.
- Demonstrate strong leadership and support staff to deliver high quality practice.
What we offer
- a unique and exciting opportunity at our Ofsted rated “good” setting
- a well-resourced and popular nursery with an excellent reputation
- committed, hardworking and friendly staff
- a full range of CPD to keep your skills up to date and relevant
- a generous local government pension scheme
- exclusive savings on high street goods/services through Portsmouth City Council
- wellbeing support and advice through our employee assistance programme
How to apply
Please apply by email to besau@bramble.portsmouth.sch.uk
Early Years Practitioners
Twinkle Cottage Day Nursery, Portsmouth PO1 5AJ
We are an outstanding nursery providing high quality childcare to children aged 0-4years. We pride ourselves on having a committed and caring team of staff who support children's learning, development and well-being.
We are seeking 2 passionate and dedicated Early Years Practitioners, Level 2 or 3, to join our vibrant childcare team, for 3 days a week:
- position 1: Monday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30am to 4pm
- position 2: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30am to 4:30 pm
Qualifications, skills and experience:
- Minimum qualification and experience required:
- level 2-3 with at least 1 year's experience
- level 2-3 qualification in Early Years Education or Childcare (or equivalent)
- proven experience working with children in a nursery or early years setting
- excellent communication skills in English to effectively engage with children, parents and colleagues
- knowledge of child development principles, safeguarding policies and early childhood curriculum standards
- ability to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- Full/part time: part-time or full-time
- Salary range: 12.71 per hour
- Closing date for applications: 31 October 2026
How to apply
Applications must be submitted on an application form which can be obtained by emailing Anna.reilly@thetwinklecottage.co.uk. CVs will not be accepted.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Anna Reilly, Nursery Manager on 02392 828888.
Early Years Educator and Bank Staff positions available
Drayton Daisy Chain Pre-School, Drayton, Portsmouth PO6 1PA
We are a small community pre-school setting, run by our committee and are a registered charity. We provide early education and care for children aged 1-4 years old. We are looking for someone to join our friendly team of staff. As a small setting we aim to be a home-from-home for our young children and provide them with a warm and caring learning environment. We are also a pack-away pre-school which allows us to be flexible with our environment and resources, aiming to always offer exciting and engaging opportunities for our children to learn through play and meaningful interactions.
- Minimum qualification and experience required: Ideally Level 3 qualification, or willingness to train
- Full/part time: Part-time
- Salary range: Depending on qualifications and experience, starting at National Living Wage
- Closing date for applications: 8 October 2026
How to apply
Applications must be submitted on an application form which can be obtained by contacting us by email at draytondaisychain@hotmail.com or by telephone on 07769 969539.
CVs will not be accepted.
Level 3 qualified Key Person
Little Peoples Nursery. PO6 2EH, Portsmouth area (Drayton)
We are seeking an enthusiastic member to join our team. Responsibilities will include being a Key Person, carrying out observations and uploading on to our on-line journals.
- Minimum qualification and experience required: Level 3 qualified and 3 years’ experience but not essential
- Full/part time: 40 hours per week, 51 week per year
- Salary range: Government minimum age-related pay
- Closing date for applications: ongoing
We are a nursery providing high quality childcare to children aged 0-4years. We pride ourselves on having a committed and caring team of staff who support children’s learning, development and well-being.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted on an application form which can be obtained by contacting Louise, Manager or Kirsty, Deputy at info@littlepeoplesnursery.co.uk/ or on 02392 357149
CVs will not be accepted.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Louise, Nursery Manager or Kirsty, Nursery Deputy on 02392 357149.
Level 2 or 3 early years practitioner
Springwood Preschool and Nursery, Copnor, Portsmouth PO3 5AL
- Closing date: Ongoing
- Salary: Part time approximately £7,950.91; Full time approximately £14,826.53
- Hours: Full time or part time
- Qualification: Level 2, ideally looking for Level 3, experience working in an Early Years setting, key person experience.
We deliver Early Years practice to children 0 to 5 years. Our environments are planned around the Early Years Foundation Stage 2025 requirements, ensuring children's play and learning is endless, imaginative and lead by children.
We provide natural, real-life items for children to explore and play. Our ethos is to offer a child-centred approach where children can make choices about what, how and whom they want to play with.
How to apply
Email springwoodcopnor@gmail.com to request an application form.
CVs are accepted.
Contact details: Rachael Clarke, Director of Springwood Preschool and Nursery LTD, email springwoodcopnor@gmail.com
Nursery Practitioner
Oliver’s Rainbow Nursery, PO17 6AR
- Closing date: Ongoing
- Salary: From £12.50 per hour
- Hours: Full time or part time
- Qualification: Level 3 or Level 2
We are a new nursery setting providing high quality childcare to children aged 0 to 5years. We pride ourselves on having a committed and caring team of staff who support children's learning, development and well-being.
How to apply
Contact Perie Lamont for an application form or for an informal discussion on the role.
- Telephone: 07570 155468
- Email: info@olivers-rainbow-nursery.co.uk
CVs are not accepted.
Practitioner
Leapfrog Neighbourhood Nursery, Southsea, PO5
- Closing date: Ongoing
- Salary: £13,500-£26,000 depending on qualification and hours
- Hours: Full time (37.5 hours) / Part time (25-30 hours). Overtime available.
Qualification, skills and experience
- A full and relevant Level 2 or Level 3 qualification essential
- Paediatric First Aid desired
- Food Hygiene desired
- Minimum 2 years experience working with children 0-5 years with a good understanding of child development
- Good knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety
- Applicant must be fun and motivated, reliable and demonstrate a willingness to learn
We are growing and we need fun-loving, enthusiastic practitioners to join our lively nursery team.
By joining Leapfrog, you will find yourself working in an inclusive environment surrounded by friendly and supportive colleagues.
On a day-to-day basis you will be involved in developing and delivering exciting activities and stimulating experiences for children to enable them to have fun and actively learn through purposeful play.
How to apply
Visits to the nursery is strongly encouraged and recommended.
- Email admin@leapfrognursery.com
- Call 023 9200 3125 / 023 9264 3776 to arrange a visit.
Safeguarding statement
All childcare providers advertising vacancies on this page are committed to safeguarding children and follow safer recruitment procedures.
All appointments are subject to a minimum of two satisfactory references, an Enhanced DBS check and successful completion of an induction period.