Who we are 💛
Just Little Kidz is The Developing Minds Nursery, with three settings across Croydon, Lewisham and Bromley. We care for children from 3 months to 5 years, and we focus on nurture, inclusion, safeguarding, strong parent partnerships and helping children become confident, independent and school-ready.
We're a developing nursery group with a genuine family feel — high standards, supportive leadership, and real opportunities for our team to grow with us.
Roles we recruit for 🎯
We currently welcome expressions of interest for the following roles. Even when there isn't an immediate vacancy, we keep details on file for future opportunities.
- Nursery Practitioners — Level 2 and Level 3 (qualified)
- Room Leaders — experienced practitioners ready to lead a room
- Deputy Managers — supporting nursery operations and standards
- Nursery Managers — whole-setting leadership and Ofsted compliance
- SEN Support / 1:1 Support — supporting children with additional needs
- Apprentices — Level 2 and Level 3 (where available)
- Bank Staff — flexible, on-call team members
- Lunch Cover & Support Staff
- Kitchen / Domestic Support
- Out of School / Holiday Club staff — where needed
How to apply — the JLK process 📨
Applying with us is straightforward. Here's what to expect from start to finish.
- Express your interest. Fill in the form on our Careers page — tell us your role interest, qualifications, location and a little about yourself.
- We review your application. If your skills match a current or upcoming opportunity, we'll be in touch to invite you to interview.
- Interview. A friendly but standards-led conversation about your experience, values and how you'd fit in our team. You may be invited for a short trial visit.
- Safer recruitment checks. All offers are subject to references, identity verification, right-to-work check and an enhanced DBS check where applicable.
- Induction. A structured induction covering safeguarding, EYFS, room routines, policies and your key responsibilities — you'll never be thrown in unsupported.
- Probation & ongoing development. Regular check-ins, feedback and clear next steps as you settle into your role.
💡 Tip: Tailor your "why JLK?" answer. Strong applications show genuine understanding of who we are and why working here matters — not generic copy-paste statements.
The standards we expect 🛡️
We support our staff — but we also hold high standards because children deserve the best. These are the non-negotiables for every member of the team:
- Children's safety always comes first
- Arrive on time and ready to work
- Speak to children with warmth, respect and patience
- Follow safeguarding procedures at all times
- Maintain professional boundaries with children, parents and colleagues
- Communicate clearly and kindly
- Keep rooms clean, safe and engaging
- Follow EYFS and nursery routines
- Complete observations, planning and records to a high standard
- Be reliable, reflective and open to feedback
- Work as part of a team — never alone
- Protect confidentiality without exception
- Take pride in appearance, conduct and attitude
Training & professional development 📚
Training at JLK is genuine — not a tick-box exercise. We expect every member of staff to apply what they learn in their daily practice.
Yearly training areas include:
- Safeguarding and child protection
- Paediatric first aid
- Food hygiene
- Health and safety
- SEND and inclusion
- Behaviour support and developing minds
- EYFS curriculum, observation, planning and assessment
- Communication with parents
- Manual handling (where required)
- Fire safety
- Prevent duty
- GDPR and confidentiality
- Leadership training (for senior staff)
Apprenticeships at JLK 🎓
Apprenticeships may be available for the right candidates depending on need across our nurseries. They're a brilliant route in for people who are serious about a long-term career.
- Level 2 Childcare apprenticeship — entry route for those new to the sector
- Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship — for those ready to lead practice
- Mentored by experienced practitioners
- Earn while you learn — no need to choose between work and qualification
- Possible permanent role on successful completion (depending on need)
💡 What we expect from apprentices: commitment, reliability, professionalism, on-time coursework and a genuine passion for working with children. Apprenticeships are a serious career pathway — not a casual job.
Career progression at JLK 🪜
Wherever you start, we'll help you see what's next. We promote from within where we can — many of our senior staff started as practitioners or apprentices.
Apprentice → Level 2 Practitioner → Level 3 Practitioner → Senior Practitioner → Room Leader → Deputy Manager → Nursery Manager → Area / Operations Leadership
Every step comes with clear expectations, the training to support it, and the chance to grow with us as we develop as a group.
Who we're looking for ✨
The strongest candidates share a few key qualities. If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.
- Passionate about working with children
- Reliable and punctual
- Safeguarding-aware
- Positive and reflective
- A genuine team player
- Able to build strong relationships with children, parents and colleagues
- Calm under pressure
- Willing to learn and grow
- Professional in communication and conduct
- Committed to high-quality early years practice
What we don't accept ✗
To protect the children in our care and the team around them, certain behaviours are non-negotiable.
- Lateness or repeated absence without good reason
- Speaking to children harshly, sarcastically or impatiently
- Cutting corners on safeguarding or hygiene procedures
- Phones in rooms outside of designated breaks
- Discussing other children, families or colleagues unprofessionally
- Refusing feedback or failing to reflect on practice
- Posting nursery content on personal social media
🛡️ Safer recruitment
Just Little Kidz is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All roles are subject to safer recruitment checks — interview, references, identity verification, right-to-work check and an enhanced DBS check where applicable. We treat this seriously and so should every candidate.
Ready to apply?
If you're passionate about early years, serious about safeguarding, and ready to make a real difference — we'd love to hear from you. Even if there's no immediate vacancy, strong candidates are encouraged to express interest.