85 Best child development Jobs in Beckenham (October 2026)

£32000–£35000 yearly

Location: Forest Hill, South East London Salary: From £32,000 per annum Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent Hours: 40 hours per week, across a minimum of 4 days Vacancies: 1 About the Opportunity Freshers Co Agency is recruiting an experienced Nursery Manager to lead a welcoming, family-run nursery in Forest Hill, South East London. With a maximum capacity of 35 children, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced early years professional to take a leadership role in a smaller, close-knit setting where they can make a meaningful difference. We are looking for a confident, organised and passionate individual who can inspire their team, maintain high standards and ensure children receive exceptional care and early years education. Key Responsibilities • Lead the day-to-day running of the nursery, • Manage, support and develop nursery staff., • Maintain high standards of childcare, education and safeguarding., • Oversee EYFS curriculum planning and children’s learning and development., • Ensure compliance with relevant Ofsted, safeguarding and health and safety requirements., • Manage staffing, nursery records and operational procedures., • Build and maintain strong relationships with parents and carers., • Create a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for children and families., • Support continuous improvement and professional development across the nursery. Requirements • Relevant early years or childcare qualification., • Proven experience in an early years setting with leadership or management responsibilities., • Strong understanding of the EYFS framework, safeguarding and Ofsted requirements., • Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills., • Ability to manage staff, maintain compliance and oversee daily nursery operations., • A proactive, professional and child-centred approach., • A higher-level childcare or leadership qualification is desirable., • Preferably holds an Enhanced DBS or is willing to undergo the required Enhanced DBS and Children’s Barred List checks. Working Hours • 40 hours per week across a minimum of four days., • Nursery opening hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM., • Exact shifts to be agreed with the employer. Salary • From £32,000 per annum, • Paid monthly Employee Benefits • Supportive, family-run nursery environment., • Workplace pension., • Staff training and professional development opportunities., • Annual staff outing., • Opportunity to lead and shape a close-knit nursery team., • Convenient location near Forest Hill station. How to Apply Are you an experienced early years professional ready to take the next step in your leadership career? We’d love to hear from you! Apply today with your updated CV. Freshers Co Agency is recruiting on behalf of the nursery. Successful applicants will be employed directly by the nursery. Freshers Co Agency is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Appointment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment and safeguarding checks.

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Holistic Football Coaching

Football Coach / Team Manager – Holistic Football Club We’re looking for an enthusiastic, reliable coach to manage one of our youth football teams, delivering Saturday morning training and leading the team on Sunday match days. This is a great opportunity for someone with good football knowledge and a passion for helping young players develop their skills, confidence and enjoyment of the game. Weekly commitment • Saturday mornings: One hour of coaching at Kingsdale Foundation School in West Dulwich., • Sunday mornings: Approximately 1.5 hours of match-day coaching. Home games are at Kingsdale Foundation School, with away fixtures across South London, Bromley and Croydon. Please allow additional time for travel and preparation. Responsibilities • Plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate training sessions., • Manage and support the team on match days., • Create a positive, inclusive environment where players can learn and enjoy their football., • Encourage teamwork, good sportsmanship and individual development., • Communicate clearly with parents, players and fellow coaches. About you • Good football knowledge and a keen interest in developing young players., • Previous coaching or team-management experience is desirable., • Reliable, organised and available on both Saturday and Sunday mornings., • A positive attitude and strong communication skills., • Driving is preferred but not essential, provided you can reliably attend training and home and away fixtures. To apply, please share a little about yourself, your football experience and your availability.

Job Description Position: Level 3 Nursery Practitioner x2 (Baby Room) Location: South East London, United Kingdom Salary: £14.00 per hour (£29,120.00 per annum) Hours: 40 hours per week Job Type: Permanent Career Level: Intermediate About the Role We are seeking two passionate, dedicated, and experienced Level 3 Nursery Practitioners to join our vibrant baby room team in South East London. In this role, you will provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for our youngest children, supporting their early developmental milestones and building strong foundations for lifelong learning. Key Responsibilities • Childcare & Development: Plan and implement age-appropriate activities and learning experiences aligned with the EYFS framework, focusing on sensory exploration, social interaction, and physical development., • Key Person Responsibilities: Act as a Key Person for a designated group of babies, building strong, trusting relationships with both children and their families., • Observation & Assessment: Monitor, record, and assess children's progress and development, maintaining accurate learning journals and sharing updates with parents/carers., • Safeguarding & Welfare: Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all children in accordance with nursery policies, procedures, and statutory safeguarding regulations., • Environment: Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and stimulating baby room environment that promotes exploration and independence., • Partnership with Parents: Foster positive relationships with parents and guardians, offering daily feedback and supporting open communication regarding their child's care and routines. Job Requirements • Qualifications: Minimum Level 3 qualification in Early Years Childcare and Education (or equivalent)., • Experience: Proven experience working as a Nursery Practitioner within an Early Years setting, specifically with babies and under-twos., • Knowledge: Sound working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and current safeguarding/child protection guidelines., • Skills: Excellent communication, patience, organizational skills, and a genuine passion for early childhood development., • Compliance: Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain one) and satisfactory references. ####

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Osman Squad Preschool

Childcare Practitioner

Osman Squad Preschool is seeking a dedicated and passionate Childcare Practitioner to join our team. We are a small, nurturing school environment committed to providing high-quality care and early education for young children. As a Childcare Practitioner, your key responsibilities will include: • Planning and delivering engaging, age-appropriate activities that support children's holistic development., • Ensuring a safe, stimulating, and inclusive learning environment for all children., • Observing and assessing children's progress, maintaining accurate records, and contributing to individual development plans., • Building positive, supportive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues., • Adhering strictly to all safeguarding, health and safety, and early years foundation stage (EYFS) policies and procedures. We are looking for an individual with: • Relevant qualifications in early childhood education or childcare., • Prior experience working with young children in a nursery or preschool setting., • A strong understanding of child development principles and EYFS framework., • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills., • A genuine passion for fostering children's growth and well-being., • Note Please only apply for this post if you have level Three TQUK or NVQ level 3

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ATG Sports FC

Assistant Football Coach

Volunteer Assistant Football Coach (Ages 5–7) Location: London Commitment: 1 hour/week — Mondays, 5:00–6:00pm Type: Volunteer, with potential progression to paid role (£15–£20 per session) based on performance About the Role We're looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Coach to support our weekly football training sessions for children aged 5–7. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to build coaching experience with young players, with a genuine path to a paid position — including funded FA qualifications — once you've settled in and shown you're a good fit. Responsibilities • Support the lead coach in delivering fun, safe, and age-appropriate football sessions, • Help set up and pack away equipment (cones, balls, bibs, goals), • Assist with organising children into groups/drills and keeping sessions running smoothly, • Encourage participation and positive behaviour, ensuring every child feels included, • Help supervise children during arrival and pick-up, working with parents/guardians as needed, • Provide basic first aid support where required (training can be provided), • Give feedback to the lead coach on session flow and player engagement What We're Looking For • A genuine enthusiasm for working with young children and introducing them to football, • Patient, encouraging, and reliable — able to commit to the Monday 5–6pm slot consistently, • Comfortable being active and hands-on during sessions, • Good communication skills with children and parents alike Desirable (not essential) • Previous experience working with children (coaching, teaching, childcare, or similar), • FA coaching qualifications (e.g. FA Level 1) or willingness to work towards one, • A basic understanding of football fundamentals suitable for young age groups What You'll Get • Hands-on coaching experience with a structured, established programme, • Mentorship and guidance from the lead coach, • A DBS check will be arranged and covered by us (required for the role), • Progression opportunity: after a successful initial period, this role becomes paid at £15–£20 per session, and we'll fund your FA coaching qualification (e.g. FA Level 1) to support your ongoing development How to Apply Please get in touch with a short note about yourself and any relevant experience, and we'll arrange a chat and a chance to observe or join a session.

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Meridian residential care

Children’s Care Home Manager

Location: South West London Start Date: Approximately 6 months from appointment Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience We are looking for an experienced and dedicated Registered Manager to join our team and lead the management of a new Ofsted-registered children’s residential home. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced childcare professional who is looking for their next career move and would like to be involved in establishing and developing a high-quality children’s home from the outset. The ideal candidate We are looking for someone who has: • Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent recognised qualification), • 3+ years’ experience working within residential childcare, • Previous experience in a senior/management role within a children’s residential setting, • A strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection and promoting positive outcomes for children, • Knowledge of Ofsted requirements and the regulations and standards applicable to children’s homes, • Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills, • The ability to manage and support a staff team effectively, • A commitment to providing children with a safe, nurturing and positive environment, • The ability to work collaboratively with social workers, local authorities, families and other professionals What we offer Competitive salary based on experience and suitability for the role. We understand that an experienced Registered Manager may already be in employment. As the home is due to commence operations in approximately 6 months, we are happy to work with the successful candidate around their existing employment. The successful applicant can remain in their current position until the new home is ready to commence, with a small retainer paid during the preparation period. This gives the successful candidate the opportunity to become involved in the development of the home without having to leave their current employment prematurely. Your role As Registered Manager, you will ultimately be responsible for: • The day-to-day management and operation of the children’s home, • Ensuring the home meets Ofsted regulations and standards, • Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, • Recruiting, managing, supervising and developing staff, • Developing and maintaining policies and procedures, • Ensuring high standards of care and record keeping, • Working with placing authorities and other professionals, • Supporting positive outcomes for children and young people, • Preparing the home and team for Ofsted registration, • Maintaining a strong culture of safeguarding, accountability and continuous improvement Why join us? This is an opportunity to help shape a new children’s home from the beginning, rather than simply taking over an established service. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the home’s development, policies, staffing structure and culture ahead of opening, with the potential to build and lead a high-performing team. To apply, please send your CV along with a brief covering letter outlining your relevant residential childcare experience, qualifications and why you are interested in the role. All applications will be treated confidentially.

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Hope & Noble

Residential Support Worker

Residential Support Worker – Children’s Residential Home Make a Real Difference Every Day Are you passionate about helping children and young people feel safe, valued and empowered to reach their potential? Join our dedicated team as a Residential Support Worker and become a positive, consistent and inspiring presence in the lives of the children we support. This is more than a job—it is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, create lasting memories and help young people develop the confidence, resilience and life skills they need to thrive. Role Overview As a Residential Support Worker, you will provide warm, compassionate and child-centred care within a safe, nurturing and supportive home environment. You will play an important role in helping children and young people feel secure, understood and encouraged. You must be able to engage young people positively and confidently, building genuine relationships through conversation, shared activities, encouragement and trust. Whether supporting a young person through a difficult day, celebrating their achievements or helping them try something new, your approach will make a lasting difference. We are looking for someone who is caring, energetic, resilient and reliable, with the ability to remain calm and positive when faced with challenging situations. You will work proactively as part of a team and help create a home where every child feels listened to, respected and supported. Key Responsibilities • Provide high-quality, trauma-informed care that reflects each child’s individual needs, wishes, risks and care plan., • Engage young people in a positive, respectful and meaningful way, encouraging participation, communication and trust., • Build safe, trusting and professional relationships with children and young people., • Support children with daily routines, including personal care where required, meal preparation, household tasks and maintaining a welcoming home environment., • Encourage children to develop independence, confidence, resilience and practical life skills., • Plan and take part in engaging activities, hobbies, key-work sessions, outings and community experiences that reflect young people’s interests., • Motivate young people to participate in education, training, employment, health appointments and other professional services., • Celebrate progress, recognise achievements and help young people identify and build on their strengths., • Contribute to the development, implementation and review of care plans, placement plans, risk assessments and individual support strategies., • Promote positive behaviour through calm, consistent, restorative and relationship-based approaches., • Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, incidents, missing episodes and emergencies, following organisational procedures., • Maintain professional boundaries while providing warm, consistent and responsive care., • Complete clear, accurate and timely records, including daily logs, incident reports, key-work records and progress updates., • Communicate effectively with children, colleagues, families, social workers and other professionals., • Support children to maintain appropriate family and community relationships in accordance with their care plans., • Administer or support with medication where required, following training and organisational procedures., • Drive company vehicles when required to support appointments, education, activities and community access., • Participate in staff meetings, supervision, training and reflective practice., • Work in accordance with safeguarding requirements, relevant legislation, regulatory standards and organisational policies. Person Specification The successful candidate will demonstrate: • A genuine passion for supporting children and young people., • The ability to engage young people naturally, positively and confidently., • A creative and enthusiastic approach to building relationships and encouraging participation., • A compassionate, patient and non-judgemental attitude., • The ability to connect with young people while maintaining clear and professional boundaries., • Strong verbal and written communication skills., • Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm, positive and solution-focused under pressure., • The ability to work effectively as part of a team and follow agreed care plans and procedures., • Good organisational and time-management skills., • Confidence using electronic systems for recording, reporting and communication., • An understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and the importance of accurate record keeping., • Flexibility to work a varied rota, including days, evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-in duties., • A willingness to get involved, be proactive and make a positive difference every day. Qualifications and Experience • Previous experience working with children or young people in residential care, education, youth work, social care or a similar setting is desirable., • Experience engaging young people through activities, mentoring, support work, education or community-based work is desirable., • A Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare, Children and Young People’s Workforce, or an equivalent qualification is desirable., • Applicants without the relevant Level 3 qualification must be willing to complete the required qualification within the appropriate timeframe., • A full UK driving licence and the ability to drive safely and responsibly are desirable., • Applicants must be willing to undertake all required training and participate fully in ongoing professional development. Safeguarding Hope & Noble is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and provide satisfactory references. All appointments will be made in accordance with safer recruitment requirements. Ready to Make a Difference? If you are caring, dependable, engaging and passionate about helping children and young people feel safe, build confidence and achieve their potential, we would love to hear from you. Bring your energy, compassion and commitment to Hope & Noble—and help us create brighter futures, one young person at a time.

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