Nursery Nurse Jobs in London with Work Permit and Visa 2025 For international candidates aspiring to work as a nursery nurse in London, securing a position with a work permit and visa in 2025 will require careful navigation of a significantly altered immigration landscape. While opportunities still exist, new government regulations are set to make the process more challenging for traditional nursery nurse roles.
Navigating the Path to a Nursery Nurse Career in London with Visa Sponsorship in 2025
As of July 2025, the UK government is implementing substantial changes to its immigration rules, directly impacting the childcare sector. The most significant change is the increase of the minimum skill requirement for a sponsored work visa to a Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6, which is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
Traditionally, many nursery nurse and practitioner roles are classified at RQF Levels 3 to 5. This means that from July 2025, employers will find it much more difficult to sponsor candidates for these positions. Furthermore, for roles that fall below the new skill threshold but may be included on a new Temporary Shortage List, there will be a crucial restriction: new visa applicants will not be permitted to bring dependents (spouses or children) with them to the UK.
Pathways to Securing a Sponsored Nursery Role in London
Despite these hurdles, several avenues remain for dedicated and qualified individuals.
Higher-Level Qualifications are Key: The most direct route to securing a sponsored position will be to hold qualifications that meet the new RQF Level 6 requirement. Job advertisements for 2025 are already indicating a preference for candidates with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). These qualifications are at the required degree level and make a candidate eligible for sponsorship under the new rules. Individuals with these qualifications should look for roles such as “Early Years Teacher” or “Lead Practitioner.”
Potential Employers and Where to Look: While the pool of sponsors for traditional nursery nurse roles may shrink, some employers are still actively recruiting for 2025. It is advisable to focus on larger nursery chains and institutions that have a history of sponsoring international staff.
Based on current listings, some employers to watch include:
Specific Nurseries: Individual nurseries, such as Seahorse Nursery in Wimbledon, have also advertised sponsored positions for Qualified Nursery Practitioners for September 2025.
NHS Trusts: Some NHS trusts have specialist nursery nurse roles that may meet the new criteria. Keep an eye on the NHS Jobs website for positions with posting dates in 2025.
Private Nursery Chains: Larger chains such as Childbase Partnership and Kids Planet Day Nurseries have been known to recruit international staff. Job boards are showing listings from these employers for positions in and around London for 2025.
The Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care Worker visa remains a primary route for many in the healthcare sector. However, with the new rules, its application to nursery nurses will be more nuanced. While it offers benefits like faster processing and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, eligibility will still hinge on the role meeting the required skill and salary thresholds.4
In conclusion, while the path to securing a sponsored nursery nurse position in London in 2025 is becoming more stringent, it is not closed. Prospective candidates should focus on obtaining higher-level qualifications, targeting larger employers with a history of sponsorship, and staying informed about the evolving immigration rules. A strategic and well-prepared approach will be essential for success in this competitive but rewarding field.
Requirements for a UK Work Permit and Visa in 2025
As of July 2025, the UK government has implemented major changes to the immigration system, directly impacting the childcare sector. Aspiring nursery nurses must meet a new, higher threshold for skills and salary.
Core Visa Requirements:
- Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor: You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that is licensed by the Home Office to sponsor foreign workers.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your employer will provide you with a CoS reference number, which is essential for your visa application.
- Skill Level (The Major Change): For the main Skilled Worker visa route, the job must now be skilled to a Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6, which is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. This is a significant increase from the previous RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent).
How These Changes Affect Nursery Nurses:
Traditional “Nursery Nurse” or “Nursery Practitioner” roles are typically classified at RQF Level 3.56 Under the new rules from July 2025, these roles are no longer eligible for the standard Skilled Worker visa
To secure sponsorship, candidates will likely need to qualify for higher-level positions such as:
- Early Years Teacher
- Lead Practitioner
These roles often require qualifications like Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), which are at the required RQF Level 6.
- Competitive Salary: To meet the new visa thresholds, sponsored roles must offer a salary that is significantly higher than many non-sponsored nursery positions. The general threshold is £41,700, with some discounted rates for ‘new entrants’ (under 26) or specific PhD holders, though these are still high at around £33,400.41516
- Standard Employment Benefits: Most employers offer a standard benefits package which can include:
- A workplace pension scheme.
- Paid annual leave.
- Free or discounted childcare for staff.
- Provided uniforms and ongoing professional development and training programs.
Conclusion
Securing a sponsored nursery nurse job in London in 2025 has become significantly more challenging for those with traditional RQF Level 3 qualifications. The UK’s new immigration policy decisively shifts the focus towards attracting professionals with degree-level qualifications (RQF 6) by raising both the skill and salary thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I get a sponsored nursery job in London with a Level 3 qualification in 2025? It is highly unlikely through the standard Skilled Worker visa. From July 2025, this visa requires a skill level equivalent to a bachelor’s degree (RQF 6).57 Your only potential route would be if the role is listed on the Temporary Shortage List, but this would prevent you from bringing any family members to the UK.515
2. What is the new minimum salary I must be paid for a sponsored job? For most roles on the Skilled Worker visa, the new general minimum salary is £41,700 per year.159 Even with potential discounts for being a ‘new entrant’ (e.g., under 26), the threshold is still high at £33,400.416 You must be paid either this minimum threshold or the “going rate” for your specific job, whichever is higher.
3. Can I bring my partner and children with me to the UK? This now depends entirely on your visa route. If your job is below degree level and you are sponsored via the Temporary Shortage List, you cannot bring dependents.515 The ability to bring family is generally reserved for those who qualify for the main Skilled Worker visa by meeting the RQF Level 6 skill requirement. A ban on dependents for new care worker applicants was also introduced in March 2024.181920
4. What qualifications give me the best chance of getting visa sponsorship? A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) will give you the strongest chance. These qualifications meet the new RQF Level 6 skill threshold required for the Skilled Worker visa.26
5. Where can I find employers in London who offer visa sponsorship? You can search for licensed sponsors on the UK Government’s official “Register of Licensed Sponsors.”121 Additionally, major job boards like Find a Job, NHS Jobs, and Jooble often have listings that explicitly mention visa sponsorship. Look for larger nursery chains like Childbase Partnership and Kids Planet Day Nurseries, as they may have the resources and need to sponsor qualified candidates.
