Early Years Practitioner

Lancaster University; Bailrigg; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

39 days off a year including holidays

Generous employer pension scheme

Family-friendly policies

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Lancaster University is seeking an Early Years Practitioner to join the Pre-School Centre at Bailrigg. The post supports a stimulating environment where children learn through play and safe, engaging activities.

We offer a part-time or full-time position for candidates with a Level 3 childcare qualification, with a welcoming team and opportunities to grow within a university setting.

Qualifications

• Must have Level 3 childcare qualification.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Reliable and hard-working.
• Team-oriented and flexible.

Responsibilities

• Engage with children through a wide range of learning activities.
• Turn everyday moments into learning adventures.

Skills

Customer service

Reliable

Willingness to learn

Team-oriented

Education

Level 3 Childcare qualification

Job description

Early Years Practitioner

Pre-School Centre

Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

Salary: £26,093 Part time, Indefinite

Closing Date: Friday 25 September 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Reference: 0420-26-R2

Is this the job for you?

Are you passionate about working in Early Years and providing quality early years education for the next generation? Do you want to do a job that makes a real difference? Do you want to grow your career and thrive in a dynamic creative work environment where imagination and energy are at the forefront of everything we do?

We are seeking applicants for Early Years Practitioners roles. Full Time (36.5 hours) and Part-Time hours available for candidates who already hold a Level 3, full and relevant Childcare qualification.

We want great people to work with our children and their families.

What you'll be doing

The Pre-School Centre is open approximately 50 weeks of the year with closures at Easter, Christmas, and all Bank Holidays.

As an Early Years Practitioner or Support Assistant at Lancaster University, you’ll be an essential part of a fun and dynamic team that fosters a stimulating and safe environment for children to explore, learn, and grow. You’ll engage with children through a wide range of valuable learning activities, turning everyday moments into learning adventures.

About you

To be a great fit for our Pre School team you will need:

• Great customer service skills
• To be reliable and hard-working
• A willingness to learn new job-based skills
• A team-oriented and flexible approach

Why work with us

Our Pre-School Centre is awarded Outstanding by Ofsted. Our exceptional teamwork makes real positive change for our children, staff and the environment.

We want you to be part of that team! Take a look at the facilities here:

https://youtu.be/81Aw-nL95qo

Lancaster University's main Bailrigg campus is a lovely place to work, combining a busy urban atmosphere while surrounded by green parkland and beautiful seasonal landscaping. We have lots of facilities on-site such as: a sports centre, shops, cafes, a multi-faith centre, a post office, and a fantastic library. There are numerous clubs, groups, and networks you can join to make friends with like-minded people. Lancaster University provides an environment that strongly supports the needs of each employee, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including:

• Competitive salary with annual reviews
• Generous employer pension scheme
• 39 days off a year which includes University closure days at Easter and Christmas and bank holidays
• A family-friendly approach to those with parental or caring responsibilities
• Additional flexible benefits to suit your needs and interests, some with tax-savings

Find out about more of our employee benefits on our website - https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/jobs

Find out what it's like to work at Lancaster University, including information on our wide range of employee benefits, support networks and our policies and facilities for a family-friendly workplace.

The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues.

We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability, or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.