Careers at Pop Up
Day Nursery
Join a team that's shaping early childhood education across Wellingborough and Irchester, warm environments, real progression, and a curriculum built with care.
Why join Pop Up
Whichever setting you join — Wellingborough or Irchester — you'll find the same warmth, support, and sense of purpose we bring to every child in our care.
Real progression
Apprenticeships, Level 3 pathways and ongoing training — properly supported, not just promised.
A genuine team
Small, close-knit settings where everyone knows your name, and Charlotte and Panita are hands-on every day.
Fair, competitive pay
Pay benchmarked against sector rates, with your contribution properly recognised.
Flexible settings
All-year hours (7:30am–6pm) in Wellingborough, or term-time only (8am–4pm) in Irchester — find what fits your life.
Meaningful curriculum
Our play-based, nature-focused approach — built around Development Matters and our own Golden Goals — gives every day real purpose.
Safe, well-resourced settings
Spacious outdoor areas, welcoming indoor spaces, and safeguarding taken seriously — somewhere you'll be proud to work.
Current vacancies
We're recruiting across both our Northamptonshire settings. Tap a role to see what it involves.
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner
178 Finedon Road, NN8 4AH · 7:30am–6:00pm, 51 weeks a year
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Level 3 Early Years Practitioner
178 Finedon Road, NN8 4AH · 7:30am–6:00pm, 51 weeks a year
Join our Wellingborough team at 178 Finedon Road and help shape the early days of children aged 6 months to 5 years. Our play-based, nature-focused curriculum — built around Development Matters and our own Golden Goals — means your work here has real meaning. You'll be supported by Charlotte (Director/Manager, BA Hons, Level 6) and a team of practitioners who care about the children and each other in equal measure.
Key responsibilities
- Deliver high-quality, purposeful care and learning in line with the EYFS
- Build warm, consistent key-worker relationships with children aged 6 months to 5 years
- Observe, assess and plan engaging, age-appropriate activities
- Support children's personal, social and emotional development every day
- Communicate openly with parents — daily updates, progress notes, genuine partnership
- Maintain a clean, safe and well-organised learning environment
- Uphold Pop Up's safeguarding policies and child protection standards at all times
Requirements
- Full and relevant Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education (CCLD or equivalent)
- Good understanding of the EYFS and Development Matters framework
- Paediatric First Aid, Food Hygiene and Safeguarding (or willingness to complete on joining)
- A genuine passion for working with young children
- 2+ years' experience in a nursery or early years setting (desirable)
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team-first attitude
Room Leader
Irchester Village Hall, NN29 7AW · 8:00am–4:00pm, 38 weeks a year
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Room Leader
Irchester Village Hall, NN29 7AW · 8:00am–4:00pm, 38 weeks a year
A chance to step into a leadership role at our Irchester Village Hall setting — term-time only, following North Northamptonshire school term dates. You'll lead your room team in delivering great care for children aged 9 months to 5 years, in a village community setting where every family knows your name. Ideal for an experienced practitioner ready for the next step, or a current Room Leader after a term-time lifestyle.
Key responsibilities
- Lead and inspire your room team to deliver outstanding EYFS care and education
- Plan, implement and evaluate purposeful activities tailored to individual developmental goals
- Maintain accurate observations and learning journals for all key children
- Promote a positive, inclusive and safe environment for children and staff
- Work closely with parents and carers throughout each child's development journey
- Contribute to whole-nursery development and continuous improvement
Requirements
- Level 3 or above qualification in Early Years Education (CCLD or equivalent)
- Sound working knowledge of the EYFS and current safeguarding standards
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience in an early years setting (preferred)
- Strong communication, leadership and interpersonal skills
- Comfortable working term-time only (38 weeks, following school term dates)
- A positive, calm attitude and high professional standards at all times
Nursery Apprentice — Early Years Educator
178 Finedon Road, NN8 4AH · Working towards Level 3 EYE qualification
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Nursery Apprentice — Early Years Educator
178 Finedon Road, NN8 4AH · Working towards Level 3 EYE qualification
Ready to start your career in early years? At Pop Up Nurseries we like growing talent from within — just like Sophie and Darcey, who are both working through their Level 3 with us right now. You'll get hands-on experience across our baby room, toddler and pre-school spaces in Wellingborough, working with children aged 6 months to 5 years while studying towards your Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification — mentored every step of the way.
What you'll do
- Support qualified practitioners in daily care routines and learning activities
- Help create a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment for all children
- Build positive, warm relationships with children, families and colleagues
- Develop your EYFS and Development Matters knowledge through hands-on experience
- Complete your Level 3 EYE qualification with full guidance and mentoring from our team
What we're looking for
- A genuine love of working with young children — this is the most important thing
- Enthusiastic, caring, reliable and eager to learn
- Good communication skills and a positive, team-oriented attitude
- Willingness to commit fully to the apprenticeship programme
- No prior childcare qualification required — just the right values
Bank Nursery Practitioner
Irchester Village Hall, NN29 7AW · Flexible cover during term time
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Bank Nursery Practitioner
Irchester Village Hall, NN29 7AW · Flexible cover during term time
Looking for flexible work that fits around your other commitments? Our Irchester Village Hall setting — open term-time only, 8:00am–4:00pm — is a great base for bank practitioners who want meaningful work without a fixed full-time contract. You'll cover shifts across our setting during North Northamptonshire school term dates, keeping the same standard of care our families rely on.
Key responsibilities
- Provide cover across rooms as needed throughout the term
- Maintain consistent, high-quality care for children aged 9 months to 5 years
- Follow all safeguarding, health and safety, and EYFS procedures
- Communicate effectively with the permanent team and management
Requirements
- Relevant childcare qualification (Level 2 minimum)
- Flexible availability during North Northamptonshire term time
- Reliable, calm and comfortable working independently within a team
- Up-to-date Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid (or willing to refresh)
What our team say
We asked our team at Wellingborough and Irchester what it's really like working at Pop Up. Here's what they said.
Charlotte and Panita genuinely care — not just about the children but about us as a team. I've grown so much since joining, and I feel fully supported in going for my next qualification.
I started as an apprentice not knowing what to expect, and now I'm studying for my Level 3 with a team around me that makes every day enjoyable. I love coming to work.
What I love most is that our curriculum actually means something. The Golden Goals and our nature-focused approach give the children — and us — a real sense of purpose each day.
What happens after you apply
No lengthy cover letters or formal panel interviews. We want to get to know you as a person — your values matter more to us than a perfectly polished CV.
Send your application
Tell us a bit about yourself and the role you're interested in. No lengthy cover letter needed.
We get in touch
Usually Charlotte or Panita will reach out within a few working days for an initial chat.
Come and see us
Visit your setting, meet the team, and see the nursery in action. Ask us anything — no formal interview pressure.
Join the family
DBS checks, references and onboarding sorted for you, so you can start making a difference as soon as possible.
Not sure which role is right for you?
We're always happy to have a conversation. Tell us a bit about yourself — the right opportunity at Pop Up might be closer than you think. Send your resume to info@popupdaynursery.com