Vacancies

Job Title: Registered Childminder, 2-4 days/week, 46 weeks/year, permanent

Employer’s Name: Anja Ashton

Setting’s Name: Language Garden

Location: Old Village School, South Street, Falmer, BN19PT

About Language Garden

For over 11 years, Language Garden has been offering immersive bilingual German and English childcare for 2-5 year olds. Our team, led by the founder and registered childminder Anja Ashton, alongside a dedicated group of childminding assistants, works collaboratively to create a warm, home-like environment where each child’s individual needs are met.

We design our own curriculum in line with the EYFS framework and take pride in our high-quality, nurturing bilingual approach, which provides children with the opportunity to be immersed not only in English but also in German language and culture—all within the most beautiful natural surroundings.

While most of our children have at least one German-speaking parent, we also welcome children who are new to the language. We are now looking to expand our team by hiring a second childminder to ensure greater continuity, flexibility, and sustainability in our setting.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

Child Development & Learning

Plan and lead engaging, play-based, hands-on learning experiences—both in small groups and individually—that promote children’s intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and language development.
Help children in developing language skills and social interactions in German and English.
Deliver the Language Garden curriculum in line with the EYFS framework, tailoring learning experiences to meet individual needs and facilitate each child’s ongoing progress and development.
Support children with their daily routines, including arrival and departure, mealtimes, toileting, play, rest, and transitions between activities—encouraging independence, consistency, and a sense of security throughout the day.
Accompany children on nature walks and supervise as well as lead outdoor play activities.
Create a positive, inclusive environment where children are supported in developing social, emotional, and communication skills in both German and English.
Model positive behaviour and provide consistent guidance and encouragement to promote learning and development across all areas.

Key Worker Role

Take responsibility for a key group of children, ensuring their individual needs are met through strong relationships, tailored care, and ongoing support. Monitor their progress and maintain regular communication with parents at daily drop-offs, pick-ups, and the ‘Famly’ app.
Conduct regular observations to monitor children’s development, identifying key milestones and areas needing additional support. Use these insights to plan next steps—both independently and in collaboration with the team and the Early Years SENCO—and record observations using the ‘Famly’ app, contributing to documentation such as the 2-year progress check.
Lead and participate in parent meetings for your key children, either independently or alongside the setting’s manager/Early Years SENCO, when required.

Parental Engagement, Collaboration & Teamwork

Build and maintain positive, respectful relationships with parents and family members, ensuring open communication.
Provide clear and regular updates to parents on their children's learning, progress, and next steps.
Encourage parental involvement in their child’s learning journey, offering support and suggestions as appropriate.
Collaborate with colleagues to share best practices, provide mutual support, and maintain a professional, unified approach to childcare.

Safeguarding & Welfare

Ensure the safety, supervision, and well-being of all children at all times, adhering to Language Garden’s safeguarding policies and procedures to maintain a secure and nurturing environment.
Report any safeguarding or welfare concerns promptly to the setting’s manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and the relevant team members.
Monitor and address children’s dietary needs, including allergies, ensuring food interactions are safe and appropriate.
Prepare and provide healthy snacks and drinks, adhering to good personal hygiene practices at all times.

Health & Safety

Provide first aid, administer prescribed medication with parental consent, and document accidents according to the setting’s policies and procedures and NHS guidance.
Assist in maintaining a safe, clean and hygienic indoor and outdoor environment for the children.
Ensure children’s safety and wellbeing by following Language Garden’s health and safety procedures. This includes maintaining awareness of risk assessments for indoor and outdoor spaces, including nature outings; adhering to established safety protocols; and securely storing medicines and other hazardous substances.
Competence in preparing and providing snacks and refreshments, encouraging healthy eating habits, supporting children's hygiene routines, and promoting overall wellbeing and a healthy lifestyle.

Person Specification:

We are ideally seeking a candidate with at least two years of relevant experience working in Early Years care and education—either in a nursery, pre-school, or as a childminder—or with at least two years of other transferable experience. A Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education and Childcare (or equivalent) is desirable but not essential, and the same applies to being a registered childminder.

While qualifications are not a formal requirement for this role, a genuine interest in early childhood education, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to professional development are essential. The applicant must have the right to work in the UK. Full training and support will be provided to the right candidate, and all training and insurance costs will be covered by Language Garden.

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about becoming a long-term member of our team, as we value consistency and strong relationships for the benefit of the children in our care.

Language Skills:

Fluency in native-level English and German is essential for supporting children's learning and development in both languages.

Communication Skills:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with children, families, and colleagues, maintaining a respectful, professional, and collaborative approach.

Practical Skills:

Good time management and organisational skills.
A proactive attitude towards setting up and packing away furniture and equipment, alongside handling cleaning duties at the end of the day or week.

Childcare Framework and Childminder Registration Knowledge:

Ability to comply with the requirements set by the EYFS framework and Ofsted, and to effectively implement the EYFS framework within the setting.
Understanding of the registration and inspection processes for childminders with Ofsted (mentoring and preparation support can be provided by Anja Ashton).

Training & Development:

Commitment to completing all required pre-employment and ongoing training, including professional development mandated by Ofsted and the Local Authority, while staying up to date with child development knowledge and the EYFS framework to ensure best practice.

Required Certifications:

Childminder registration without domestic premises for Language Garden’s address
Enhanced DBS check via Ofsted, with continued enrolment in the Update Service
Full paediatric first aid training
Designated Lead Safeguarding training via East Sussex council
Early Years Child Development training or a solid understanding of child development and children’s needs.
Prevent Duty Awareness and Female Genital Mutilation Awareness training
Public liability insurance

Team & Leadership:

Confident in leading sessions and providing guidance to the assistant team, particularly in the absence of the setting’s owner, Anja Ashton.
Work closely with and reporting to Anja Ashton to ensure consistency, continuity of care, and adherence to best practices across the setting.
Attend and actively contribute to regular team meetings, sharing observations, ideas, and reflections to support ongoing development.

Supervision & Reflection:

Regularly assess the effectiveness of your practice and seek supervision or engage in team discussions to improve outcomes when necessary.

The responsibilities outlined above are not an exhaustive list, and a flexible, adaptable approach to the role is essential, with the ability to take on a range of tasks as needed and meet the person specifications outlined for the position.

Compensation and Employment Terms

We offer an hourly rate of £14–£15, depending on the candidate’s experience, on a freelance agreement basis for the initial six-month period. This will include fixed working days—negotiable between 2 and 3 days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays) per week to start, with the potential to increase to 4 days (Fridays) as the setting expands.

The role may lead to a permanent employed position, subject to mutual agreement.

Working hours will be 8:15 to either 14:45 or 17:30 across 46 weeks of the year.

All training, registration, and insurance costs will be covered by Language Garden.

Should the role transition to employment, the following benefits will be provided (where eligible):

Statutory sick pay
Paid holiday allowance
Rest breaks
Workplace pension
Statutory maternity, paternity, or adoption pay

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and requires an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders that have been made against them.

If you wish to apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to Anja Ashton at info@language-garden.co.uk answering the following questions:

What experience do you have working with children, particularly within the 0–5 age range?

What inspired you to pursue a career in childcare, and what aspects of the role do you enjoy most—and find most challenging?

What relevant training, qualifications, or work experience do you currently hold? If you do not yet meet all requirements, are you open to undertaking additional training?

Do you have experience supporting children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)? If so, please describe your role and approach.

We look forward to hearing from you and aim to respond promptly. If you do not receive feedback or an invitation to interview, unfortunately, your application has not been shortlisted.