Early Years Assistant

Early Years - the organisation for young children; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 9,000 - 13,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

36 days annual leave (pro-rata)

Statutory/public holidays included

Contributory pension scheme

Options to purchase additional leave

Access to healthcare schemes

Job summary

Early Years is seeking an Early Years Assistant to join the Developmental Programme for 2-3 year-olds and other SureStart programmes in Craigavon. You will provide a safe, inclusive learning environment and support children’s health, learning and social development from ante-natal to age four.

Working with families to promote positive parenting, you will be part of a team committed to high-quality early years care and education, with flexible hours to suit term-time working.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level II in Early Years Care and Education or equivalent.
• One year's experience working with young children in a paid, voluntary or training/placement capacity.
• NVQ III in Early Years Care and Education or equivalent.
• A full current driving licence enabling the holder to drive in NI and have the use of a vehicle for official purposes or have access to transport that will enable the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full.

Responsibilities

• As Early Years Assistant you will ensure 2-3 year-olds in the Developmental Programme have the best start in life by providing a safe, welcoming, high quality, inclusive early education environment.
• To work in partnership with families to promote and facilitate positive parenting and the enhancement of the role of parents as ‘First Educators’.

Education

NVQ Level II in Early Years Care and Education

NVQ III in Early Years Care and Education

Job description

6c Wildflower Way, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT12 6TA United Kingdom

Join Early Years – The Organisation for Young Children as an Early Years Assistant

Location: Splash SureStart, Legahory Centre. Craigavon,BT65 5BE.

Hours: 19.5 hours per week, term-time working (47 weeks). Days/times to be discussed with successful candidate

Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in early childhood education?

Do you believe in the power of play to unlock potential?

Be part of our team and help shape the futures of children by fostering growth and learning through purposeful opportunities.

At Early Years, we are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.

• competitive salary
• 36 days of annual leave (pro-rata)
• inclusive of statutory/public holidays
• a contributory pension scheme
• options to purchase additional leave
• access to healthcare schemes

The role

As Early Years Assistant you will ensure children attending the Developmental Programme for 2-3 year-olds and any other SureStart programme have the best start in life by providing a safe, welcoming, high quality, inclusive early education environment, working to improve the ability to learn, improve health and improve social development of children, ante-natal to four years of age.

To work in partnership with families to promote and facilitate positive parenting and the enhancement of the role of parents as‘First Educators’.

We're looking for people who at the closing date have

• NVQ Level II in Early Years Care and Education or equivalent.
• One years’ experience working with young children in a paid, voluntary or training/placement capacity.
• NVQ III in Early Years Care and Education or equivalent.
• A full current driving licence enabling the holder to drive in NI and have the use of a vehicle for official purposes or have access to a form of transport that will enable the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 19 October 2026.

For shortlisted applicants it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Friday 23 October 2026.

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to six months for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via email.

Should you need to contact us, please use the following methods:

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: [phone] Option 5

Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.