Flexible working for nursery educators: a career that fits your life

Being an early years educator gives you the chance to make an incredible impact on young lives every day. Working with children is one of the most rewarding jobs out there, and you play a part in shaping the future in ways that truly matter.

Like many jobs, high demands and long hours can be a challenge. Fortunately, flexible working can make all the difference. With adaptable schedules and exciting opportunities, you can make your career more sustainable, enjoyable, and balanced.

Let’s look at the importance of flexible working, its impact on the early years sector, and how N Family helps offer educators the flexibility they deserve. 

Key takeaways

• UK law entitles nursery employees to request flexible working from day one of employment
• Common flexible working options in early years include split shifts, flexible scheduling, and nursery Flexi Team roles
• N Family Club offers a 4-day, 36-hour week alongside other schedule options to suit different lifestyles
• Flexible working benefits both educator wellbeing and the quality of care children receive

Why flexible working is important for nursery educators

If you have family responsibilities, further studies, or just need more time for yourself, flexible working opportunities will give you the freedom to balance your career in early years teaching with your personal life. 

Rather than feeling stretched too thin, you can adjust your schedule to fit your needs while continuing to make a difference in children’s lives. With flexible working, you’ll: 

Create a better work-life balance

Dedicate more free time to yourself and stay refreshed rather than becoming burnt out. You’ll have a more positive impact on the children you educate when you’re well-rested and feeling your best.

Reduce stress and increase energy

Prioritising your well-being and mental welness will reduce your stress, and you’ll have more energy and less ‘mental load’ to fully engage in your work. 

Build a sustainable career

As you move through different life stages, flexible working supports long-term career progression in early years education, rather than forcing you to choose between work and the rest of your life.

The greater impact of flexible working 

Flexible working plays an important role in the sustainability of the early years sector.

The JPMorgan Chase and Trust for London report noted that almost half of nursery survey respondents were considering quitting their jobs in the next 12 months.

These workers, among others in early education and childcare, have been facing increasingly long hours and growing demands. They often work longer hours than those in comparable sectors, such as retail and hospitality, which offer higher pay and less physically and emotionally demanding roles.

When early years jobs become too rigid or demanding, more educators may leave the sector altogether, looking for roles that give them the flexibility they need. This can lead to higher turnover, recruitment challenges, and qualified staff shortages, impacting the quality of care and education children receive.

“There’s no denying that there is difficulty recruiting to the early years sector. The pandemic, the government, the cuts in funding - all that has impacted and people, particularly the qualified people, are leaving the sector in droves. There are not many people coming into the sector.” - Director, Nursery Group.

Flexible working rights for nursery teams in the UK

Many UK employers already offer flexible working to help create a more stable workforce, making it easier to retain skilled staff and support those who require more adaptable schedules.

New laws around flexible working are creating better opportunities for both employers and the team.

Right now, employees can request flexible working from day one and are entitled to make two statutory flexible working requests per year under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act, which came into force at the beginning of the 2024/2025 tax year.

How N supports flexible working

At N, we know that flexible working is no longer just a luxury. But rather than doing the bare minimum, we choose to go beyond the basics to offer an abundance of options, opportunities, and benefits for staff at all levels. 

We want to help normalise flexible working without compromise, making it an everyday part of career growth within the early years sector. 

What flexible working looks like in the early years

While flexible working is becoming more common, most nursery staff still work 32 to 37 hours per week, typically from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

To make work more manageable, some nurseries in the UK are introducing new options that give educators more say over their schedules. Staff can also request adjustments to their working hours, such as:

Split shifts

Instead of working straight through the day, educators can split their hours into two shifts, such as morning and late afternoon, allowing for breaks in between to manage other responsibilities.

Flexible staff scheduling

Some nurseries let staff have more input into their shifts, making it easier to plan around childcare, school runs, or other commitments.

Flexi Team roles

Staff in nursery Fexi Team roles can pick up shifts they need rather than committing to fixed hours.

These options give educators more control over their time, helping them stay in the sector for longer. If you’re considering a career in early years education, it’s worth exploring which nurseries offer these flexible working arrangements.

Enjoy additional flexibility as an early years educator 

At N, we value flexible work and know its importance for creating a sustainable and rewarding career in the early years education.

At our nurseries, you can tailor your work schedule to fit your lifestyle and choose between several options, like: 

• The standard 5-day, 40-hour week, 
• Our new 4-day, 36-hour week,
• A flexible 36-hour week with the opportunity for additional overtime.

We believe that by offering flexible working opportunities, we can support our educators in maintaining a healthy, low-stress work-life balance, benefiting their well-being and the children they teach.

Explore our available nursery educators jobs and turn a new corner in your career within the early year's sector. 

Frequently asked questions

Can nursery staff request flexible working from day one?

Yes. Under the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act, which came into force at the start of the 2024/2025 tax year, employees can request flexible working from their first day and are entitled to make two statutory requests per year.

What flexible working options are available for early years educators?

Common options include split shifts, flexible staff scheduling, and Flexi Team roles, where staff pick up shifts as needed rather than committing to fixed hours.

What flexible working arrangements does N Family Club offer?

N Family Club offers a standard 5-day, 40-hour week, a 4-day, 36-hour week, and a flexible 36-hour week with the option for additional overtime.

Why is flexible working important in the early years sector?

Flexible working helps retain qualified educators who might otherwise leave the sector due to long hours and high demands. Research has shown that almost half of nursery workers were considering quitting their jobs within 12 months, making flexibility a key factor in sector sustainability.