Early Years Practitioner And Key Person

Copthill Nursery and Independent Day School; Uffington; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading nursery and school in Uffington seeks an experienced Early Years Practitioner to ensure high-quality education and care for children. The role involves planning educational activities, monitoring children's development, and working closely with families. Ideal candidates should have at least three years of experience in an EYFS setting and Level 3 Childcare Studies. This part-time position offers up to £23,305 per year, with various benefits and a supportive school environment.

Benefits

Company pension

Health & wellbeing programme

Discounted or free food

Free parking

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience working in an EYFS setting.
• Commitment to safeguarding and child protection.
• Working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high quality education and care for children.
• Plan and evaluate learning activities.
• Supervise and support children in their development.

Skills

Experience in an EYFS setting

Childcare management

Strong communication

Planning and assessment

Knowledge of Early Years curriculum

Education

Level 3 Childcare Studies

Level 5 or above English and Maths GCSE

Tools

Tapestry

Job description

Early Years Practitioner/Key Person

Copthill School is looking for an experienced EY practitioner for this well-established, thriving outstanding Nursery/Pre‑School Department from January 2026. The role of the Practitioner is to ensure high‑quality standards of care and education for all of our children. The successful candidate will be working in a welcoming, stimulating, caring and happy department within a busy and supportive school.

Responsible to

Nursery and Pre school Lead

Timetable details

Part‑time during school term time. 25 hours per week

Purpose of the role

• Ensure high quality education and care for Nursery and Pre‑School children in a safe, welcoming and stimulating setting
• Promote the development of each individual child across all areas of their education
• Carry out other associated duties as reasonably assigned by the Nursery and Pre school Lead
• Actively promote the vision and aims of Copthill School

Main Duties

Education and Learning

• To provide a high quality of education and learning within the EY framework.
• To be involved with planning for provision which meets the requirements of the Development Matters curriculum.
• To assist in planning and evaluation of activities providing feedback to the Nursery and Pre school Lead on children's progress and behaviour.
• To implement the daily routine including the daily timetable, planning, observations and assessments.
• To facilitate, supervise, participate in, observe and assess activities to engage and teach the children, following each area of the Early Years curriculum.
• To record and evidence observations of children in alignment with EYFS framework.
• To supervise the children and also be responsible for their physical, emotional, social and intellectual well‑being.
• Take on the role of key worker for a designated group of children.
• To help to create a welcoming and family friendly environment.
• To assist in setting up and clearing away, ensuring the daily provision follows the planning and is inviting and engaging for the children.
• To support and participate in meal times within the setting (snack and lunch).
• Be involved in induction and settling in for new children.
• To promote the inclusion and acceptance of children with special needs ensuring access to activities through appropriate clarification, explanation and resources.
• Promoting positive values, attitudes and behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encouraging children to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
• To assist with the display and presentation of work.
• To assist with escorting children on any educational visits.
• To keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff, which is acquired as part of the job.
• To assist with the preparation, maintenance and control of stocks of materials and resources.
• To liaise with SENDCO as needed.

Key person Duties

• To build a positive, professional relationship with the family of each child.
• To share information about the child's progress, development and pastoral needs as required.
• To liaise closely with parents/carers, informing them about the Nursery and its curriculum, exchanging information about children's progress and encouraging parents' involvement.
• Providing feedback to parents at Parents Evenings and in written reports.
• Providing or contributing to oral or written assessments and reports relating to individual pupils or groups of pupils.
• Attending parents consultation evenings twice a year attending four nights in total, or as reasonably directed by the EY Leader.
• Providing pastoral support to parents and children as a Key Person.
• Monitoring and recording the social and academic development of pupils in the role of Key Person, identify and add Next Steps to Tapestry for all key children maintaining assessment records across all areas of learning; including updating Tapestry and the 'concerns' page, adding reflections when required complete 2 year old progress checks 6 weeks after pupil start date write end of year reports, including reports on the educational, personal and social needs of pupils; report to Early Years Lead on each key child on all 7 areas of development communicating and co‑operating with persons or bodies outside the school participating in meetings arranged for any of the purposes Attending new starter induction sessions Participate in Parent workshops.

General duties and responsibilities

• Help with preparation of the classroom each morning.
• Welcoming parents and children on arrival.
• Maintain classroom essentials / toys etc. including outside equipment and preparing resources and displays.
• Covering for staff absence in a short term capacity.
• Taking part in: Outside play / Games lessons / Music and movement / Forest School.
• Preparing equipment / resources for activities - i.e. gym equipment and other apparatus.
• Take children to change clothes when necessary.
• Helping children with hygiene, toileting and changing.
• Supervising lunchtime.
• Take part in Sports Day, Christmas Production etc.
• Taking story time / circle time and other appropriate activities.
• Using initiative as a General Assistant throughout each session promoting the general progress and well‑being of individual pupils and of any class or group of pupils assigned to him/her; providing guidance and advice to pupils on educational and social matters.

Professional Conditions

• Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required, includes 3 inset mornings per annum.
• Work as part of the Assistant Team, moving to other classes and departments on a temporary basis, as required by the Nursery Pre school Lead.
• Cover classes for temporary periods in the absence of the Teacher.
• Be aware of and comply with all policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and comply with the Staff Code of Conduct.
• Be aware of and comply with all safeguarding policies relating to child protection, health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection and reporting all concerns to the appropriate person.
• Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the team and school.
• Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required.
• Undertake any additional task or duty relating to the curriculum, organisation or pastoral function of the school as the Headteacher may reasonably, from time to time, require.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' experience working in an EYFS setting.
• Level 3 Childcare Studies.
• Level 5 or above English and Maths GCSE.

DESIRABLE

• Forest School level 3.

EXPERIENCE

• Commitment to the safeguarding and protection of children and young people through involvement in training and implementation of the school's safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and current statutory guidance.
• Key Person for a group of children and their families.
• Knowledge and proven practical experience of implementing excellent teaching and learning opportunities.
• Experience of and obvious willingness to support learning activities using the outdoor environment.
• Experience of working in close and cooperative partnership with parents.
• Experience of using an online learning journal for observations, tracking and monitoring.
• Experience in a variety of Early Years settings.
• Adept at use of Tapestry.

Person Specification

• A non-negotiable belief that education should be based around the needs of the child.
• An obvious commitment to achieving the best outcomes for each individual child.
• High expectations for yourself and for the children in your care.
• The ability to create a happy and effective learning environment which is welcoming and stimulating for all - children and their parents.
• The ability to teach effectively using appropriate resources which contribute to ensuring excellent teaching and learning.
• Excellent classroom management skills.
• Enthusiasm for learning outdoors.
• Confident use of ICT for administrative purposes.
• Willing and active involvement in the wider life of the school community.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, and under own initiative.
• Well adaptable to changing circumstances & ideas.
• Organised and able to manage time productively.
• Can communicate clearly, negotiate and consult taking into account others' views.
• Maintain a calm level of professionalism.

Personal Attributes

• Energy and enthusiasm.
• Reliability and integrity.
• Flexibility and versatility.
• Approachable.
• Empathetic.
• Patient.
• Resourceful.
• Willing to go 'above and beyond' by contributing and participating in the wide range of extra‑curricular activities on offer.
• Sense of humour.

Job Types

Part-time, Temporary, Fixed term contract

Pay

Up to 23,305.00 per year

Expected hours

25 per week

Benefits

• Bereavement leave
• Canteen
• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Abilities to commute/relocate

Uffington: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education

GCSE or equivalent (required)

Experience

Nursery : 3 years (required) Childcare: 3 years (required) EY Key Person: 3 years (required)

Licence/Certification

Driving Licence (required)

Work Location

In person

Application Deadline

07/12/2025

Expected start date

05/01/2026