Early Years Educator

Early Years Alliance; Tendring; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff childcare discounts

Training & career progression

Learning Management System access

FAMLY paperwork reduction

Workplace pension

25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

Birthday leave

Sickness pay & bereavement leave

Referral bonus up to £300

Employee Assistant Programme (EAP)

Mental health first aid support

Job summary

Early Years Alliance is seeking an Early Years Educator for Cockleshell Nursery in Southend-on-Sea. The nursery is Ofsted Good with a Day Nurseries rating of 9.7/10, and the role focuses on delivering high-quality inclusive early years education and care.

As part of a supportive team, you will provide engaging learning experiences and contribute to family-centered practice. The post requires a Level 2+ qualification and an enhanced DBS check, with 40 hours per week across 52 weeks.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 2 (or above) Early Years Qualification.
• Post-qualification experience with children.
• Enhanced DBS check required.

Responsibilities

• Provide creative and engaging learning opportunities for children.
• Be a proactive member of the team, providing a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment.
• Support the nursery management team to deliver high-quality care and education in line with the setting's policies and procedures.

Education

Level 2 or above Early Years Education and Childcare Qualification or equivalent

Job description

About The Role

We have a fantastic opportunity for an

Cockleshell Nursery in Southend-on Sea Rated Good by Ofsted and 9.7 on Day Nurseries.

We are looking for a skilled early years educator who will offer our children high quality inclusive early years education and care.

About The Role

We have a fantastic opportunity for an Early Years Educator to join our team at Cockleshell Nursery in Southend-on Sea. Rated Good by Ofsted and 9.7 on Day Nurseries.

We are looking for a skilled early years educator who will offer our children high quality inclusive early years education and care.

We take great pride in being a friendly, inclusive setting that put children and their families at the heart of our practice and provide excellent promotion and progression opportunities for our staff team.

What We Offer

We are proud to be part of the Early Years Alliance family of early years settings. Founded over 60 years ago, the Alliance is an educational charity dedicated to supporting the delivery of quality early years education and care to children and families.

The Alliance prides itself on being a supportive workplace and offers significant benefits for our team members including:

• 100% discount on childcare and early education places (applicable to staff working in our early years settings)
• Extensive training and career progression planning, including access to our Learning Management System (LMS)
• The Alliance has invested in FAMLY reducing paperwork and giving you more time to focus on the children.
• A generous workplace pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, with additional annual leave for long service.
• Birthday leave so you can have a day off for your birthday dedicated to you and your well being
• Enhanced sickness pay and paid bereavement leave
• A Recruitment Referral Payment Scheme, giving you an introductory payment of up to £300 if someone you have referred to the Alliance takes up a role in the charity.
• Access to our Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which includes 24/7 helpline access, dedicated managers helpline, confidential counselling sessions delivered by accredited specialists, legal, debt and life management advice, discounts, and wellbeing content plus resources.
• A dedicated mental health First helped to support your mental well being

Job Purpose

As Early Years Educator, you will:

• provide creative and engaging learning opportunities for children.
• be a proactive member of the team, providing a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment
• support the nursery management team to deliver high-quality care and education in line with the setting's policies and procedures.

Requirements

Successful applicants for the Early Years Educator position will need:

• a minimum Level 2 or above Early Years Education and Childcare Qualification or equivalent.
• proven post-qualification experience of working with children.

Also, you will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, if your current certificate is not subscribed to the update service.

Hours per week: 40

Weeks per year: 52

Interview date: Monday 14th September 2026

About The Service

The Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and equal opportunities in employment. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedures to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding and equal opportunities across the whole organisation.

If you would like to find out more about our setting, please go to Web Link to Setting: https://nursery.eyalliance.org.uk/nursery/cockleshell-nursery/