Join the Paint
Pots family!
Come and be part of a team where we look out for each other, children are at the heart of everything, and you’re supported to grow along the way.
A place to grow
Whether you’re taking your first steps in early years or ready for your next challenge, we’ll support you to keep learning and progressing.
We invest in our people, promote from within and love seeing careers grow at Paint Pots.
Make a difference every day
As a charity, children and families are at the heart of why we’re here.
You’ll be part of a team that genuinely cares about giving every child the best possible start, where the little moments can mean an awful lot.
Why work at Paint Pots?
When you join Paint Pots, we want you to feel valued, supported and able to grow, while doing work that makes a real difference every day.
Free childcare
Supporting our team and their families.
Training & development
Excellent training to keep you learning and growing.
Career progression
Opportunities to progress and be promoted from within.
A team that values you
Supportive managers and a culture where people matter.
A place to build a career
Join long-serving teams who enjoy what they do.
Flexible working
Flexibility where possible, because life happens outside work too.
Life at Paint Pots
Big smiles, little moments and plenty of reasons to love what you do. Take a glimpse at life across our Paint Pots community.
Don’t just take our word for it!
Hear from our wonderful team across our Paint Pots community.
It has a family feel. Paint Pots genuinely cares about every child, staff member and parent. We are not just a number, we are valued.
Sam
Nursery Manager at Testwood Road
I love the diversity of the job, the children and the people. No day is the same. I especially like that the company continues to improves itself to benefit everyone within it.
Penny
Nursery Manager at Shirley
I love helping shapes little minds at their most important stages of development. Not every day will be a good day, but each day a difference is made.
Katie
Nursery Manager at St Marks
It's such a welcoming, friendly and supportive team! I love being able to have fun whilst working and watching the children grow and develop.
Eleanor
Nursery Manager at Swaythling
Mel's Paint Pots journey
“I joined Paint Pots in 2011 as an apprentice and have had so many opportunities to grow since then. I’ve worked across all age groups, led the baby room and under-twos, and eventually progressed to Nursery Manager at Waterloo Road.
I did leave briefly in 2016 to try a completely different career path, but after just two weeks I realised Paint Pots was where I belonged, so I came back!
Paint Pots has always supported me to progress and take on new opportunities. I couldn’t be prouder of the setting I now run. We have a fantastic team, and our parents often tell us the nursery feels like home.
From apprentice to Nursery Manager, I’ve been able to build my career here.”
Sholing
We are looking for a Deputy Manager/pre-School Room Leader to join our team in Sholing.
The successful candidate will need a minimum Level 3 Early Years qualification and a passion for providing high-quality care and learning opportunities for children.
This position is full time all year round Monday to Friday.
Closing date for applications: 9th October 2026
If you’re looking for your next opportunity in Early Years, we’d love to hear from you.
Swaythling
We are looking for a Toddler room leader in Swaythling. Minimum level 3 early years qualification. This position is full time all year round Monday to Friday.
Shirley
We are looking for an Early Years Educator in West End. Level 2 or 3 qualification required. This position is full time all year round Monday to Friday.
West End
We are looking for an Early Years Educator in Portswood. Level 2 or 3 qualification, or can be unqualified. This position is full time all year round Monday to Friday.
Portswood
We are looking for an Early Years Educator in Portswood. Level 2 or 3 qualification required. This position is full time all year round Monday to Friday.
We are looking for a Room Leader in Portswood. Level 3 qualification required. This position is full time all year round Monday to Friday.
We are looking for a Tea person in Portswood. Qualification not required as training will be provided. This position is 4:00pm-6:00pm Monday to Friday term time only. Can be a job share.
City Centre
We are looking for a Maternity Cover Deputy Manager at Paint Pots City Centre. Minimum level 3 early years qualification. This position is 8:30am-3:30pm Monday to Friday term time only.
Can’t see the right role just yet?
We’d still love to hear from you!
Send us your details and we’ll be in touch if an opportunity comes up that feels like a good fit.
Paint Pots FAQs
Thinking about joining Paint Pots? It’s natural to have a few questions before taking that next step.
We’ve answered some of the things we’re asked most about, from qualifications and training to applications and life at Paint Pots.
You don’t always need an Early Years qualification to start working in a nursery. The requirements depend on the role, and there are routes into the sector where you can learn, train and gain recognised qualifications while working. For some positions, particularly more experienced practitioner roles, a Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification may be required.
Want to understand the different routes into early years? Read our blog: What Qualifications Do You Need to Work in a Nursery?
Yes. Paint Pots operates nurseries and pre-schools across Southampton and wider Hampshire, so opportunities can arise at a number of different settings. If you’re looking for nursery jobs in Southampton, childcare jobs or Early Years Practitioner vacancies, take a look at our current opportunities above to see what’s available near you.
Working in early years is busy, rewarding and full of variety. At Paint Pots, we want our practitioners to feel supported, valued and part of a team where their work genuinely matters. Our settings are built around caring relationships, teamwork and helping children learn, grow and thrive.
Yes! Your progression is really importnat to us. We want people to be able to build a long-term career in early years, not simply find their next job. Training, professional development and opportunities to progress are an important part of working at Paint Pots, helping practitioners develop their skills and take the next step in their career.
Working patterns vary depending on the role and setting, but Paint Pots aims to offer flexibility where possible. Our vacancies explain the hours and working pattern for each position, so you can see what will work alongside your life and other commitments before applying.
Simply browse our current nursery and early years open opportunities above, choose the role that suits your experience and location, and follow the application instructions. If there isn’t a suitable vacancy right now, please still send us a message! We're always looking for amazing people to join our team.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our friendly team is here to help.