This is not babysitting

This is shaping young minds.

Every day, you will help children build confidence, curiosity, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.

At Charnwood Nursery & Pre-school Group, we believe that early years professionals deserve to work somewhere they can grow, feel valued and genuinely enjoy coming to work.

If you are looking for more than just another nursery job, you may have just found it.

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children in our care, established 1999
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

Discover Your Career at CNPG

More than a job. A place to grow, belong and make a difference. Explore what makes life and careers at CNPG different.

Why work at CNPG?

We are one of the most awarded nursery groups in the region, but awards are not what define us. Our reputation has been built by people who genuinely care about children, support one another and never stop learning.
Everything we do is guided by three simple values.

Growth

We are committed to helping every colleague develop professionally and personally. Whether you are starting your career or stepping into leadership, we will help you become the best practitioner you can be.

Belonging

Great teams create great experiences for children. We work hard to ensure every colleague feels welcomed, respected, supported and trusted.

Joy

Early years should be full of laughter, creativity and meaningful moments. We believe work should be challenging, rewarding and enjoyable.

This is a career, not just a job

At CNPG, we invest heavily in our people because we know they make the biggest difference.

Many of our managers, room leaders and specialists began their journey with us as apprentices or practitioners.

We recruit for potential as much as experience.

If you are passionate about making a difference, we will support your journey.

Learning & Development

Learning and Development

At CNPG, learning never stops. We invest in our people because the quality of our team shapes the experiences of every child. Whether you are beginning your career or preparing for your next leadership role, we provide the support, training and opportunities to help you succeed.

We offer:

Comprehensive induction programme
Continuous professional development
Leadership training and development programmes
Room Leader Development Programme
Management coaching and mentoring
Funded apprenticeships and qualifications
Safeguarding and child protection training
SEND and inclusion training
Forest School training and outdoor learning
Observation, assessment and report writing
Ofsted readiness and inspection preparation
The key person approach and attachment-informed practice
Children’s well-being and involvement
Understanding schemas and child development
Curriculum implementation and pedagogy
Behaviour, emotional regulation and co-regulation
Evidence-informed practice and reflective learning
Opportunities to learn from recognised sector experts
Professional learning through the EVOLVE Early Years Stronger Practice Hub
Internal career progression and promotion opportunities
And that is just the beginning. From curriculum innovation and communication with families to specialist SEND practice, outdoor learning and leadership, there is always something new to discover. We believe that investing in our people is the best investment we can make in the children and families we support.
Career pathways

Not everyone wants to become a manager

There are also opportunities to specialise in SEND, safeguarding, curriculum development, Forest School, mentoring, quality improvement and wider projects across the group.
Apprentice
Early Years Practitioner
Senior Practitioner
Room Leader
Deputy Manager
Nursery Manager
Senior Leadership Opportunities
Benefits

What you get, working here.

Supporting you

  • Competitive salary
  • Enhanced annual leave
  • Pension
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Wellbeing support
  • Flexible working opportunities where operationally possible

Helping you grow

  • Funded qualifications
  • Continuous professional development
  • Leadership programmes
  • Paid training
  • Internal promotion opportunities

Making work enjoyable

  • Supportive leadership team
  • Friendly, welcoming culture
  • Staff recognition
  • Team celebrations

Meaningful work every day

  • Opportunities to innovate and grow
  • Making a difference every day
  • Work with award-winning teams
  • Help shape children's futures
  • Purpose-led, community-focused work

What our current team say

Appreciation is a wonderful thing.

Awards and Recognition

We believe our greatest achievement is the children and families we support every day.
We are also proud to have been recognised nationally for the quality of our work.
NDNA Central England Nursery of the Year NDNA Network of the Year Excellence in Additional Needs Outstanding Ofsted Nursery World Awards Highly Commended for Inclusive Practice Nursery World Awards Highly Commended for Outstanding Contribution Millie's Mark
Recruitment Process

What happens after you apply

We know interviews can feel daunting. We want you to feel relaxed enough to show us who you really are.

01

Apply Online

Complete our simple online application.

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02

Initial Conversation

If your application is shortlisted, we will arrange a friendly conversation to learn more about you and answer any questions you may have.

02

03

Interview & Nursery Tour

Meet our team, explore the nursery, learn more about our culture and values, and discover what life at CNPG is really like.

03

04

Experience the Role

Spend time alongside our team, meet the children and experience a typical day in the nursery. This gives us the opportunity to see how you interact in practice, while helping you decide whether CNPG is the right place for you.

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05

Safer Recruitment Checks

If you are successful, we will complete references, an enhanced DBS check and all other required pre-employment checks.

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06

Welcome to CNPG

Once everything is complete, we will welcome you to the team with a comprehensive induction, ongoing support and plenty of opportunities to learn, grow and progress. We know interviews can feel daunting. We want you to feel relaxed enough to show us who you really are.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an early years qualification?

Not always. We recruit people with a range of experience, from qualified practitioners to those taking their first steps into the sector. What matters most is your passion for supporting children to thrive.

Do you offer apprenticeships?

Yes. We are proud to support apprentices at different stages of their careers, providing high-quality training, mentoring and practical experience to help them succeed.

What training will I receive?

From your first day, you will receive a comprehensive induction followed by ongoing professional development. Training includes safeguarding, child development, curriculum, SEND, leadership, Forest School, observation and assessment, Ofsted preparation and much more.

Is there opportunity to progress?

Absolutely. Many of our managers and senior leaders have progressed from practitioner roles within CNPG. We are committed to helping our people build long-term careers, not just find their next job.

What is the recruitment process?

Our recruitment process includes an application, an initial conversation, an interview and nursery tour, an opportunity to experience the role alongside our team, followed by safer recruitment checks before you join us.

Can I visit before applying?

Of course. We know choosing the right employer is an important decision. If you would like to learn more about CNPG before applying, we would be delighted to show you around and answer your questions.

What makes CNPG different?

We combine high standards with a genuinely supportive culture. Our values of Growth, Belonging and Joy shape everything we do, from how we care for children to how we invest in our people. We are passionate about developing exceptional practitioners, creating inspiring learning environments and making a lasting difference to children and families.

What are your working hours?

Working hours vary depending on the role and location. Full-time and part-time opportunities are available, and we will discuss the specific hours during the recruitment process.

Do you offer flexible working?

Where operationally possible, we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different and will always try to accommodate requests where we can.

Do I need experience to apply?

Experience is helpful, but it is not everything. We are looking for caring, enthusiastic people who share our values and are committed to providing outstanding experiences for children. If you have the right attitude, we can help you develop the skills.

Which age groups could I work with?

Opportunities are available across our baby, toddler and pre-school rooms, as well as in our out of school clubs and specialist roles. We will work with you to find the role that best suits your skills and experience.

What happens after I apply?

Our recruitment team will review your application and, if you are shortlisted, we will contact you to arrange the next stage. We aim to keep applicants informed throughout the process and make it as straightforward as possible.

What are you looking for in a new team member?

We are looking for kind, curious and committed people who genuinely enjoy working with children. You do not need to know everything, but you do need to be eager to learn, willing to work as part of a team and passionate about giving every child the very best start in life.
I think this reinforces your employer brand perfectly while encouraging good candidates who may otherwise doubt whether they are “qualified enough” to apply.

Ready to make a difference?

If you believe every child deserves the very best start in life, we would love to hear from you. Explore our current vacancies or send us your details and we will be in touch.