# Early Years Lunchtime Assistant > YMCA Fairthorne Group · Portsmouth, United Kingdom · Part-time · Posted 2026-11-06 **Salary:** GBP 13,218–13,218 **Workplace:** on_site **Department:** Whale Island, Portsmouth Nursery ## Description Great childcare isn't just about the activities children enjoy. It's about creating the right environment for them to feel safe, happy, healthy and cared for. Every day across YMCA Fairthorne Group, our nurseries provide welcoming environments where children can learn, play, grow and thrive. From nutritious meals and positive mealtime experiences to clean, organised spaces, every detail contributes to the quality of care we provide. Behind every successful nursery is a team of people working together to make it happen. The meals are ready. The laundry is taken care of. The rooms are clean and tidy. The children are supported. And the environment is safe, welcoming and well maintained. As an Early Years Lunchtime Assistant at YMCA Whale Island Nursery, you'll play an important role in supporting our nursery teams, helping to ensure children receive nutritious meals and enjoy clean, comfortable and well-maintained surroundings. Working as part of our wider childcare team, you'll help make a difference to children's everyday experiences. Because sometimes the most important contributions happen behind the scenes. **What the role is really about** This role is about more than keeping things clean and tidy. It's about helping our nurseries run smoothly and ensuring children receive the care, attention and support they need throughout the day. Working alongside our nursery practitioners, you'll support lunchtime routines, help distribute meals and assist children during mealtimes. You'll also take responsibility for laundry, cleaning and general housekeeping, ensuring nursery rooms and communal areas remain clean, organised and welcoming. You'll be someone the team can rely on, taking pride in maintaining high standards and stepping in wherever additional support is needed. Your contribution will help create an environment where children can feel comfortable, enjoy positive mealtime experiences and make the most of their time at nursery. **What you'll do** You'll: - carry out daily laundry duties, including washing, drying, folding and organising nursery laundry - maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the nursery, cleaning and sanitising designated areas, equipment and surfaces - support the nursery team with general housekeeping, ensuring rooms and communal areas remain clean, tidy, safe and organised - help maintain a welcoming, hygienic and comfortable environment for children, staff and visitors - assist with general tidying, including organising resources, putting away toys and equipment and keeping play areas presentable - provide lunch cover and support children during mealtimes, helping to create a calm, safe and positive dining environment - assist with distributing meals and supporting children with their lunch where appropriate, encouraging independence and positive eating habits - ensure mealtime areas are cleaned and tidied after use, following appropriate hygiene and food safety procedures - work collaboratively with nursery practitioners and colleagues to support the smooth day-to-day running of the nursery - respond flexibly to the needs of the nursery, providing additional support to children and colleagues wherever required. Every detail matters. **This role is about more than keeping things running** Yes, you'll be looking after laundry. Cleaning and tidying spaces. Supporting lunchtime routines. And making sure everything is ready for the day ahead. But you'll also be helping create positive experiences for the children in our care. A child enjoying a nutritious lunch. A clean and welcoming playroom. A nursery team supported during a busy lunchtime. A comfortable environment where children can learn and play. Your work will help make all of this possible. You'll be an important part of the nursery team, helping to ensure that the environment around our children is just as positive and supportive as the care they receive. **Part of something bigger** YMCA Fairthorne Group supports children, young people and families across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Through nursery provision, residential experiences, youth work, supported housing services and community programmes, we help people develop confidence, independence and resilience. Our nurseries play an important part in that mission, providing children with the foundations they need to grow and thrive. Every meal supported. Every room kept clean and welcoming. Every child encouraged to enjoy a positive mealtime experience. Your contribution will help us deliver the high-quality care and supportive environments that make a difference to children and families every day. And help us achieve our wider ambition to help people: **Belong. Contribute. Thrive.** **Could this be you?** If you're an Early Years Practitioner, Lunchtime Assistant, Kitchen Assistant, Catering Assistant, or someone who enjoys practical, hands-on work and wants to make a positive difference to children's everyday experiences, we'd love to hear from you. You don't need to have all the experience already. What's most important is a positive attitude, a willingness to get involved and a genuine enthusiasm for supporting children and the teams who care for them. Apply today and become part of a team that helps create happy, healthy and welcoming nursery environments. **Safeguarding** YMCA Fairthorne Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Successful applicants will be required to complete appropriate safer recruitment and pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service where applicable. **Equality, diversity and inclusion** YMCA Fairthorne Group is committed to creating an inclusive organisation where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. ## Requirements **The person we're looking for** We're looking for someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys being part of a team and understands the importance of creating clean, safe and welcoming environments for children. You'll have: - a basic understanding of health and safety requirements - an awareness of children's and babies' nutritional needs - a Food Hygiene qualification or a willingness to undertake relevant training - experience working within a catering, hospitality or childcare environment, or a willingness to develop your skills in these areas - an understanding of the importance of cleanliness, hygiene and safe working practices. Most importantly, you'll be: - friendly, approachable and positive - able to work independently and use your initiative with minimal supervision - a good communicator who enjoys working as part of a team - able to remain focused and organised in a busy environment - flexible and willing to support colleagues across the wider team - reliable, dependable and committed to maintaining high standards - enthusiastic about supporting the work and values of YMCA Fairthorne Group. ## Benefits **Benefits that make a difference** **More time away from work** 25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays (FTE), increasing with service up to 30 days, with the option to buy additional leave. **Celebration Leave** An additional day each year to celebrate something important to you. **Health and wellbeing** Access to our Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme. **Family support** Enhanced family leave provisions. **Everyday benefits** Blue Light Card eligibility, gym discounts and Cycle to Work scheme. **Career development** Professional learning and development opportunities across YMCA Fairthorne Group. £13,218 per annum - 20 hours per week ## Apply [Apply at YMCA Fairthorne Group](https://apply.workable.com/ymca-fairthorne-group/j/DE9EE017D5/apply) --- Powered by [Workable](https://www.workable.com)