Early Years Specialist x3 posts

Rotherham-Metropolitan-Borough-Council; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s Children and Young People’s Services is seeking 3 Early Years Specialists to lead improvements in Nursery and Reception provision across the borough. The role focuses on improving outcomes for young children by working with schools, academy trusts and key partners.

You will provide expert advice to school leaders, develop and deliver professional development, and help raise attainment through strategic data analysis and high-quality EYFS practice, with

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
• A Level 6 Early Years qualification, degree or equivalent teaching qualification.
• Significant and successful experience working with Early Years children in schools.
• Experience of supporting schools and Early Years settings to improve outcomes.
• A strong understanding of the EYFS Framework, child development and current national priorities.
• Proven ability to evaluate provision, identify priorities and lead sustainable improvement.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and reducing attainment gaps for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

Responsibilities

• Leading Local Authority Early Years improvement activity to raise Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes.
• Supporting the development of high-quality EYFS curriculum and provision.
• Improving children's communication and language, early reading, writing, mathematics and personal development.
• Supporting schools to prepare for Ofsted inspection and align practice with current expectations.
• Analysing EYFS Profile, Reception Baseline Assessment, attendance and other performance data to identify priorities and evaluate impact.
• Planning and delivering professional development, training, coaching and networking opportunities.
• Promoting inclusive practice and improving outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
• Working collaboratively with schools, academy trusts, Department for Education advisers and other strategic partners to support sustained improvement.

Skills

Communication skills

Safeguarding & inclusion

Leadership & influencing

Education

QTS or EYTS

Level 6 EY qualification

Degree or equivalent teaching qualification

Job description

Job profile for Early Years Specialist x3 posts

Early Years Specialist x3 posts

location_on Rockingham Professional Dev Centre 25/11/2026

Salary £48,738 - £51,928 per annum

Contractual hours 37

Basis Full time

Region Rotherham

Job category/type Education - Non-Teaching

Date posted 28/10/2026

Job reference REQ24206

Attachments Job Profile Band K.docx Benefits Package.doc

Job description

Directorate: Children and Young People's Services

Temporary, Full Time, 37 hours per week

Are you a passionate and experienced Early Years professional with a proven track record of improving outcomes for young children?

We are seeking 3 exceptional Early Years Specialists to lead and support improvements in Nursery (Foundation Stage 1) and Reception (Foundation Stage 2) provision across Rotherham. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on children's life chances by working strategically with schools, academy trusts and key partners to improve the quality of Early Years education and raise outcomes for all children.

About the Role

Reporting to the Service Leader - Head of Education/School Improvement Lead, you will provide expert advice, challenge and support to school leaders, Early Years leaders and practitioners, helping to strengthen leadership, curriculum quality and teaching practice across the borough.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading Local Authority Early Years improvement activity to raise Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes.
• Supporting the development of high-quality EYFS curriculum and provision.
• Improving children's communication and language, early reading, writing, mathematics and personal development.
• Supporting schools to prepare for Ofsted inspection and align practice with current expectations.
• Analysing EYFS Profile, Reception Baseline Assessment, attendance and other performance data to identify priorities and evaluate impact.
• Planning and delivering professional development, training, coaching and networking opportunities.
• Promoting inclusive practice and improving outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
• Working collaboratively with schools, academy trusts, Department for Education advisers and other strategic partners to support sustained improvement.

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated professional who can demonstrate:

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
• A Level 6 Early Years qualification, degree or equivalent teaching qualification.
• Significant and successful experience working with Early Years children in schools.
• Experience of supporting schools and Early Years settings to improve outcomes.
• A strong understanding of the EYFS Framework, child development and current national priorities.
• Proven ability to evaluate provision, identify priorities and lead sustainable improvement.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and reducing attainment gaps for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

For further information, please contact: Tina Hohn, Email: [e-mail]

This post involves working with children and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. For further information, please visit our website .

Head Office

Riverside House
Main Street
Rotherham
S60 1AE