Early Years Practitioner

Action for Children; Ballymena; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 29 days

Pension with 7% employer

Training and CPD opportunities

Staff discounts

Flexible maternity/paternity packages

Job summary

Action for Children in Ballymena, NI, is recruiting a dedicated Early Years Practitioner for the Sure Start Developmental Programme. You will support 2–3 year olds with a high-quality, play-based learning experience across Ballymena and Antrim areas.

Applicants should hold QCF Level 2 in Childcare, have paid or voluntary experience, and demonstrate knowledge of child development, safeguarding and inclusion. Collaboration with health and play professionals is key.

Qualifications

• Hold QCF Level 2 in Childcare or equivalent.
• Paid or voluntary experience in an early years setting.
• Knowledge of child development, safeguarding, health & safety, and equality practices.
• Excellent communication, teamwork and flexibility to meet service needs.

Responsibilities

• Help create a safe, welcoming, and stimulating play environment.
• Plan and deliver age-appropriate play opportunities as part of a team.
• Encourage positive parental engagement.
• Prepare and maintain indoor and outdoor play areas.
• Act as a key worker, completing observations, developmental records and home visits.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Flexibility

Observation

Education

QCF Level 2 in Childcare

Job description

Early Years Practitioner

Salary

£25,949 per annum pro rata.

Contract / Hours

Temporary Part Time maternity cover from Dec 26 for 12 months. working 30 hrs a week Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm and Friday 9-1pm.

Location

Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 29 days PLUS bank holidays.
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts.
• Access to training tailored specifically to the Sure Start Developmental Programme.
• Ongoing CPD opportunities to develop your skills and confidence.
• Supportive environment focused on reflective and high-quality early years practice.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 687,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

About the role

We are recruiting a dedicated Early Years Practitioner to join our Sure Start Developmental Programme for 2–3-year-olds, supporting the delivery of a high-quality, play-based learning experience for children aged 2&3 in the Ballymena and Antrim area.

You will collaborate closely with Family Support Practitioners, Health Visitor, Speech and Language Therapist and Play Specialists. This offers a unique opportunity to learn from other disciplines and deepen your understanding of children’s development.

Applicants must hold a QCF Level 2 in Childcare (or equivalent), have voluntary or paid experience within an Early Years setting and demonstrate strong knowledge of child development, safeguarding, health and safety, and equality practices. The role requires excellent communication skills, the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and flexibility to meet service needs.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

• Help create a safe, welcoming, and stimulating play environment.
• Plan and deliver age-appropriate play opportunities as part of a team.
• Encourage positive parental engagement.
• Prepare and maintain indoor and outdoor play areas.
• Act as a key worker, completing observations, developmental records and home visits.

Let's talk about you

Our job description for the Early Years Practitioner outlines the requirements of the role but the ‘must-haves’ are:

• Hold QCF Level 2 in Childcare (or equivalent).
• Have paid or voluntary experience in an early years setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge of child development, safeguarding, health & safety, and equality and inclusion.
• Communicate effectively, work as part of a team, and show flexibility to meet service needs.

Contact

Email us at [e-mail] quoting reference 13860

Closing Date

Sunday the 1st of November 2026

Please note Interviews are planned to be held on the 9th of November 2026 in person in Ballymena.

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.

To be eligible for this position you must complete an Access Ni Enhanced Disclosure

Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.

A copy of the Access Ni Code of Practice can be found here.

Policies on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders & Access Ni Disclosure Handling Policy are also available on demand.

Don't meet every single requirement?

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet

Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services