Which Early Years Careers Works Best For You?

15/12/25 Careers Welcome to kinderzimmer

Which Early Years Careers Works Best For You?

If you’re exploring a career in early years, navigating the different roles available may feel a bit overwhelming. From Unqualified Educators to Head of Nursery, there’s a role to match nearly every background, skill set and ambition. Which role suits you depends on what you enjoy, what qualifications you have (or are willing to get), and what you’d like your career trajectory to be.

One of the things that makes working at kinderzimmer so rewarding is that every role connects meaningfully to the children, families and the wider team. Each position gives you different ways to contribute, and many of our team members begin in one role and progress into another when they feel ready.

Whether you want to gain experience for the first time, use your qualification confidently, specialise in leadership or support parents and team operations, every pathway has a clear purpose.

Why People Choose kinderzimmer

At kinderzimmer you are supported not just in the role you apply for, but in where you hope to go next. If training is something you are working towards, we actively help you gain recognised qualifications. If you already hold qualifications, we encourage you to extend your expertise, take on responsibilities and grow into leadership roles.

Alongside progression, our approach to staff wellbeing and reward is highly competitive in the UK nursery sector. Our packages are structured to reflect professionalism and the value of your work, and to support life both inside and outside the nursery.

Some of Our Benefits Include:

Annual Leave – that grows with you ie. Add days for each year you’re with us
Wellness Day off every year
Enhanced Maternity/Paternity leave after 2 years
Free and discounted childcare
Financial Wellbeing Programme in partnership with HSBC
Hardship fund to support during unexpected or exceptional circumstances
Employee Assistance Programme (24 hour free counselling)
Referral Bonus, earn up to £500 per referral
Company Events
Continuous Professional Development
Workwear Allowance
Promotional pathways
Nursery Christmas Closures
Pension contributions
Mental Health First Aiders
Personal Development Fund (one-off £150 to develop in any area, not only childcare!)
Clear internal progression routes
A warm team environment shaped around collaboration
A culture that encourages initiative, creativity and reflection

kinderzimmer has gained a positive reputation for being a place where careers genuinely develop. Many people begin with us for experience, but stay because they feel confident, valued and invested in.

See our openings here!

Deciding What Fits You Best

Looking at your personal strengths helps you find a role you will feel proud of.

You may discover that an unqualified educator position is a perfect entry point. You might recognise that you are already working at the standard of a Room Leader and want to formalise that. Or you may prefer roles that support the nursery operationally, ensuring that children have a safe and well–organised space or that families feel informed and welcomed.

Every role at kinderzimmer matters and contributes to how children experience their day. What matters most is finding the place where your personality, skills and goals align.

Let’s explore some of the roles on offer at kinderzimmer:

Unqualified Early Years Educator

This is a brilliant starting point if you are new to early years or considering your qualification. You will support your room team, learn daily routines, help create learning opportunities and develop confidence over time.

We look for someone caring, friendly and eager to grow professionally. If you are thinking “I want to learn while doing”, this role gives you the chance to gain experience, and many of our unqualified educators go on to earn their Level 2 or Level 3 while working with us.

It’s perfect for anyone curious about childcare who wants to see if this path is right for them.

Early Years Educator (Qualified)

Our qualified educators are at the heart of our nurseries. Each day, you help children grow through purposeful play, emotional support and hands-on experiences. You guide activities whilst observing their development and supporting the children as individuals.

We look for someone who is confident using their childcare qualification (level 2 or above) to plan experiences, communicate with families and contribute ideas to the room team. If you enjoy being fully involved in shaping children’s learning, this is a deeply rewarding position.

People often choose this role when they are ready for responsibility in the classroom and want a place where their expertise is recognised.

Nursery Lunch Cover Assistant (Qualified and Unqualified)

This role is ideal if you prefer shorter, predictable shifts and a focused part of the day. Lunch cover assistants supervise mealtimes, support routines and make sure children feel calm, safe and included during a key transition period.

Qualified assistants (level 2 or above) bring experience in supervision, while unqualified assistants contribute by ensuring mealtimes are positive and well–managed.

People usually choose this role when they have other commitments such as study, family life or another job, but still want meaningful, regular involvement in early years settings.

Nursery Bank Staff

Our bank staff are essential to maintaining continuity at busy times. You may support different age groups and occasionally move between nurseries, always stepping in where needed.

We look for adaptable, proactive people who enjoy variety and working with different teams. Our Bank Staff also have experience working in nurseries previously and hold relevant Early Years qualifications (level 2 or above).

Many people choose bank work because it fits around flexible schedules, but it also offers exposure to a wide range of rooms, teams and teaching styles. It is an excellent way to build confidence quickly.

Nursery Room Leader

Room leaders help set the tone for their rooms. You guide your team, shape planning and ensure the environment reflects our kinderzimmer approach.

We look for someone who is confident using their childcare qualification (level 3 or above) to deliver learning experiences and leading others day-to-day. Strong communication with families and reflective practice are important.

This role suits those ready to take a next step into leadership and influence how children experience their time at nursery.

Housekeeper

Our housekeepers play an extremely valued role. You support the environment behind the scenes so children can learn, explore and play safely. Housekeepers maintain cleanliness, organisation and daily routines that keep the nursery running smoothly.

We look for reliable, organised people who understand the importance of a hygienic, well–presented space.

Those who thrive in this role enjoy practical routines, take pride in high standards and like being part of a team supporting children’s wellbeing.

Enrolment and Family Experience Manager

This role focuses on families’ first experiences with kinderzimmer, from initial enquiry to becoming part of our community. You host tours, answer parent questions and guide families through every step of enrolment.

We look for someone with warmth, organisation and excellent communication skills. You must enjoy speaking with parents and representing the values of our nursery.

This role is suited to someone who loves people interaction, values the emotional experience of joining nursery life and get a kick out of being busy and hitting targets.

Deputy Head of Nursery

Our Deputy Head of Nursery supports the whole nursery, working alongside the manager to ensure smooth operations, happy teams and strong parent relationships.

We look for someone with nursery experience, ideally as a Deputy Manager or similar, who has participated in Ofsted inspections with ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ outcomes, a commitment to quality, the ability to support staff and is qualified to a Level 3 or above.

Deputies may lead rooms when needed, support recruitment, model good practice and help families settle into nursery life.

Head of Nursery

Our Head of Nursery are responsible for bringing the whole nursery vision to life. You shape the environment, lead the staff team and build strong family relationships so children experience a consistent, positive nursery journey.

We look for someone with established experience ideally as a Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager who has participated in Ofsted inspections with ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ outcomes, strong organisational skills and natural leadership qualities who is qualified to a Level 3 or above.

This role suits people ready to move into full responsibility for a setting and who want to lead culture, quality and community.

Why People Choose kinderzimmer

At kinderzimmer, we are committed to nurturing not only children, but careers. People join us for different reasons but often stay because of the way we support development. Our approach is intentionally structured so that you can grow at your own pace.

Many start as unqualified educators, gain qualifications, become educators, then step into leadership roles. Others discover that they prefer specialisms, whether that be supporting families, coordinating environments or helping to run the nursery as a whole.

If any of these roles seem like the right fit for you, take a look at our careers page where we’re hiring for positions in London, Surrey, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire now!

See our latest job listings here!

Which Early Years Careers Works Best For You?