Early Years Support Worker, Strynd Nursery - ORK10740

Orkney Islands Council; Kirkwall; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Orkney Islands Council's Strynd Nursery in Kirkwall is seeking an Early Years Support Worker to join the team. The post is 21 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, permanent, with pay bands set pro rata. You will work shifts between 9am and 4pm, with potential for flexible working including term-time only. Training opportunities including SVQ 2/3 will be provided. A Level 2 PVG disclosure is required; applications close 20 September 2026.

Qualifications

• Level 2 PVG disclosure required.

Responsibilities

• Support the nursery team to deliver a high quality inclusive Early Learning and Childcare service which meets the needs of and promotes the development of young children.
• Assist in meeting the needs of and promoting the development of young children.
• Support working patterns including 9am–4pm shifts and potential flexible arrangements (including term-time only).

Job description

Advert

Early Years Support Worker

Strynd Nursery

21 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Permanent

£30,060 - £30,662 / £31,356 - £31,995 pro rata

£16.47 - £16.80 / £17.18 - £17.53 per hour

The above amounts include Distant Islands Allowance.

You will be reporting to the Early Learning and Childcare Manager.

Your working pattern would involve working part day shifts within the hours of 9am-4pm. We are happy to talk flexible working, including term time only, where possible.

The purpose of this role is to support the nursery team to deliver a high quality
inclusive Early Learning and Childcare service which meets the needs of and
promotes the development of young children.

In July 2026, the council opened the relocated Strynd Nursery in a new purpose-built building on Burnett Brae in Kirkwall. Strynd Nursery now is registered for 51 children aged 0-5 years and provides day care services for young children as well as the statutory entitlement of Early learning and Childcare for 2-5 year olds.

We are looking for Early Years Support Workers to join our growing team at the new nursery to support the team in meeting the needs of children aged 0-5. This post may appeal to people thinking about a career change or looking for a way in to working with young children for the first time. We will support successful candidates to undertake SVQ 2/3 qualifications and provide other training and development opportunities.

The necessary qualification, experience and skills required for this role are detailed in the must have' section of the attached job profile. These criteria are used for decisions on shortlisting and appointment of applicants.

This post is a regulated role with children and requires Level 2 Disclosure with PVG scheme membership.

Applications close at 23:59 on 20 September 2026 with shortlisting taking place from 21 September and interviews are scheduled for week beginning 5 October 2026.

For a discussion about the role, contact Fiona Greaves, ELC Manager at [e-mail] / 01856 886686 or Shaun Tulloch, Operational Manager (ELC), on [e-mail].

Orkney Islands Council is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, gender, race or ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status or gender reassignment status.