Housekeeper and Nursery Assistant (may include lunchtime cover)

Willow Cottage Nurseries is looking for a versatile Housekeeper and Nursery Assistant to join our friendly team. This rewarding role combines maintaining a highly clean and safe environment across our settings with providing vital, hands-on support to our childcare staff when they need it most.

Hours – 25 over 5 days
9am to 2pm or 11.30 to 4.30pm (alternative hours may be available for the right candidate)

Start Date – Open until filled

Locations - There are currently openings at the following locations
- Bletchingdon OX5 3DH

Qualification – Familiarity with COSHH regulations is desirable.

Experience – A successful candidate will probably have had experience working as a housekeeper and be comfortable and confident looking after children aged 0-5.

Salary
House Keeper and Nursery Assistant - £12.82/hour + Benefits

Requires - See Safeguarding below

Responsible to – Team Leaders, Setting Management

Flexible working arrangement

We are looking for someone who can work 5 days a week either 9am to 2pm or 11.30 to 4.30pm. However, this is a flexible role and we may be able to accommodate other working patterns or longer hours. Unfortunately, this is not a term-time only position.

Housekeeper Role
Our vibrant nurseries are full of activity, and our housekeepers are essential to keeping them running smoothly. Your core responsibilities will include:

• Regularly cleaning surfaces and touchpoints to maintain excellent hygiene.
• Deep cleaning toys, resources, and storage areas.
• Ensuring good Health & Safety practice by storing and using materials safely.
• Collaborating with the staff team to plan cleaning routines that prioritise the children's safety.

Nursery Assistant Role (including Lunchtime Cover)
Our assistants provide vital support, stepping in to care for the children during lunchtimes, planning meetings, or staff absences. Your key duties will involve:

• Supervising and engaging with the children throughout the nursery day, particularly during the lunchtime period.
• Assisting with food service while strictly adhering to dietary requirements and food hygiene standards.
• Setting up, clearing away, and cleaning up after meals.
• Providing general support during snack times.

Training and other information

Training will be provided where necessary alongside our established mentoring programme.

You will need your own transport as there are no public transport services to this address and Lower Road does not have a footpath. There is ample parking on site.

Please be aware that this can be a physically demanding role.

We expect high levels of professionalism from our staff.

Good levels of interpersonal communication are necessary when working with other staff to plan cleaning routines around the children and the arrangements for the day.

Safeguarding

Willow Cottage is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants must be able to provide evidence of having the right to live and work in the UK and must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. Please see our willow-cottage.com/jobs web site for further information.

To apply for this job please use the green 'Apply' button above

Competitive and regularly review salary
Flexible working arrangements
Bonus annual leave for reliable attendance
Bonus annual leave for long service
Bonus annual leave for Christmas Shopping
Scheme to purchase additional Annual Leave
We support both inhouse and external training
We promote and support many internal career opportunities
We are a family business promoting caring, supportive environment and culture
Refer a friend scheme

Overtime rates
There is ample free parking on our site
Our staff are able to join the NEST pension scheme
Beautiful countryside setting

For more information about working for Willow Cottage please see our vacancies page