Verified Company Profile

Chapter One Childcare (UK) Limited

Profile

Welcome to Chapter One Childcare (UK) Limited - Where children's stories come to life!

Growing hearts and minds through enriched interactions, experiences & spaces. A warm, inspiring early‑years setting since 2004.

 

Who We Are

  • Founded in 2004 by Jon and Diane, who remain dedicated to nurturing, high‑quality early learning environments.
  • We deliver child‑centred, play‑based care across six UK nurseries (Scotland & North Yorkshire) plus our nursery in Muscat, Oman.
  • Our team now includes 100+ passionate Early Learning & Childcare professionals.

 

Ethos & Vision

  • Our mission: "Grow the Hearts and Minds of the children in our care." We bring this to life through Enriched Interactions, Experiences & Spaces.

 

We provide:

  • Safe, inclusive, child‑centred environments that nurture emotional and social development
  • A curriculum rooted in play, creativity, curiosity and critical thinking, featuring outdoor and loose‑parts learning
  • Close partnerships with families to support learning both at nursery and at home
  • A staff mental‑health‑first culture: regular debriefs, CPD, and wellbeing opportunities

 

Why Join Us?

  • Work alongside a supportive team.
  • Creative freedom to shape learning experiences around real children’s interests and stories
  • Emphasis on staff wellbeing & retention - we invest in your career and wellbeing because people matter
  • Wellbeing days to spend time on the things that matter to you.
  • Counselling and support helpline offered for all employees.

 

Highlights of Our Culture

  • Belong to a company where every team member truly matters - your passion and initiative make a difference
  • Enjoy collaborative reflection, peer learning, and an inclusive family‑style environment
  • Be part of local community engagement, with strong parental involvement and a parent committee at local and group level.

 

Our Operational Growth

  • From our roots in Edinburgh and North Yorkshire, we now operate six sites in the UK, including nature‑rich and Fully Outdoor settings.
  • In 2018 we expanded internationally, launching a nursery in Muscat, Oman.

 

Our Team Philosophy & Development

  • We place people at the centre - hundreds of families trust us each year with their children’s care.
  • Staff benefit from consistent mentorship, high‑level supervision, and structured professional development.
  • You’ll be part of a growing organisation, celebrated for excellent leadership and a high standard of care and learning.

 

What Our Values Look Like in Practice

  • Empathy & Inclusivity: emotional literacy, attachment‑aware practice, nurturing every child’s individual journey
  • Partnership with Parents: From daily check‑ins and online journals to parent evenings and active parent committees.
  • Quality‑led delivery: Continued good inspection outcomes from Ofsted and the Care Inspectorate reflect consistent delivery.

 

Join Our Story

If you're passionate about early years, excited by child‑centred practice, and motivated to work with purpose:

  • Help us bring children’s stories to life, nurturing future confidence, curiosity, creativity and resilience
  • Join a collaborative and supportive team where your growth and wellbeing are core values
  • Be part of a setting where learning feels like a natural, joyful journey - and staff wellbeing feels earned, everyday

Founded:

2004

Head Office:

6 nurseries across Scotland & North Yorkshire, plus an international setting in Muscat, Oman.

Number of Staff:

100+

Average age of staff:

27

Male/Female ratio:

Chapter One Childcare (UK) Limited

2 Vacancies at Chapter One Childcare (UK) Limited

FAQs

What types of roles do you offer?

We offer a wide range of roles across our nurseries and central support teams, including:

  • Trainee & Early Years Practitioners (qualified & unqualified)
  • Room Leaders / Seniors
  • Deputies & Nursery Managers
  • Kitchen & Housekeeping Staff
  • Administrators and Finance Assistants
  • Student placements
Where are you based?

We currently have:

  • 6 nurseries across Scotland and North Yorkshire
  • An international nursery in Muscat, Oman



This includes two fully outdoor settings in the woods.

How much annual leave do I get?

All team members start with 28 days pro-rata annual leave from Day 1.

  • After 12 months of service, you’ll also receive paid time off during our Christmas and New Year closure – bonus holidays on top of your allowance!
  • You’ll also get additional leave as your service grows, rising up to 44 days per year for long-serving staff.
  • Plus, we offer Wellbeing Days throughout the year to help you rest, reset and recharge.
What qualifications do I need to apply?
  • For practitioner roles: An SCQF Level 7 (SVQ3/HNC equivalent) or above in Early Learning & Childcare is preferred
  • For unqualified roles: A passion for working with children is a must – we offer training and support toward qualifications
  • All staff must be or be willing to register with the SSSC (Scotland)


Do you offer training or support for career progression?

 Absolutely! We’re passionate about growing our team from within.


  • We help you gain access to fully funded training towards SVQs*, leadership courses, and CPD
  • Opportunities to step up into senior roles as you grow
  • Access to mentorship & supervision, and reflection sessions with your senior team.


What makes Chapter One different?
  • Our child-centred, curiosity-led approach
  • Outdoor learning and access to beautiful nature spaces
  • A strong, people-first culture where your wellbeing matters
  • Leadership that listens – we are a small, committed senior team who know our staff by name and we genuinely care about you as a person.


What benefits do you offer staff?
  • Wellbeing Days to relax or recharge
  • 50% Staff childcare discount
  • Mental health support through trained professional helplines.
  • CPD, and training support
  • Recognition awards, gifts, and team appreciation days and much more...
What is your recruitment process?
  1. Apply online through S1Jobs or our website
  2. We’ll review your application and contact you to arrange an interview to attend in-person.
  3. You will receive the interview questions in advance allowing you to prepare.
  4. Successful applicants will be asked to complete references and PVG/DBS checks
  5. We’ll make a formal offer and start your pre-induction!


Do I need a PVG or DBS?

Yes – all staff must have an up-to-date PVG (Scotland) or enhanced DBS (England) before starting work. We’ll help process this with you.