Early Years Teaching Assistant

Teach Now; Chipping Barnet; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Teach Now in Barnet, London seeks an Early Years SEND Teaching Assistant to support Nursery children aged three to four at an inclusive primary school. You will work with the Nursery teacher and SENCO to help children feel secure and ready to learn through play.

You will support communication, social interaction and emotional regulation, follow strategies, and observe progress to inform next steps, with opportunities to contribute to a joined-up approach with families and external professionals.

Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting children with SEND in an early years or primary setting.
• Working knowledge of the EYFS and play-based learning.
• Experience using positive, consistent approaches to challenging behaviour.
• Confidence supporting communication, social development and emotional regulation.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• The right to work in the UK and availability for the remainder of the academic year.
• Willingness to complete an enhanced DBS and other safeguarding checks.

Responsibilities

• Support Nursery children to engage with play-based learning and daily routines.
• Provide individual and small-group SEND support under teacher guidance.
• Use agreed strategies to support challenging behaviour calmly and consistently.
• Help children develop communication, social interaction and emotional regulation.
• Adapt activities to reflect individual needs, interests and developmental stages.
• Share observations with the teacher and SENCO to support planning and track progress.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and external professionals where appropriate.

Skills

SEND experience

EYFS knowledge

Play-based learning

Job description

Early Years SEND Teaching Assistant

Location: Barnet, London

Contract Type: Full-time, temporary

Start Date: 02/11/2026

Salary: £100–£115 per day

Salary depends on experience and qualifications. Higher rates are reserved for candidates with substantial SEND experience and/or relevant training, such as a recognised Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification (or equivalent). Pay is determined in line with school expectations and Agency Worker Regulations (AWR), where applicable.

Hours: 8:30am–3:30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only

About the Role

Teach Now is seeking an experienced Early Years SEND Teaching Assistant to support Nursery children aged three to four at an inclusive primary school in Barnet.

You will work closely with the Nursery teacher and SENCO to help children with additional needs feel secure, included and ready to learn through play. Your day will include supporting communication, social interaction, emotional regulation and everyday routines, while adapting activities around each childs interests, strengths and stage of development.

The role requires a calm, child-centred approach, particularly when behaviour becomes challenging. You will follow agreed strategies, provide individual and small-group support and share observations that help shape next steps. The school also works closely with families and external professionals, creating a joined-up approach to each childs development.

This role would suit someone with strong early years SEND experience who enjoys building trusting relationships and seeing steady progress over time.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Nursery children to engage with play-based learning and daily routines.
• Provide individual and small-group SEND support under teacher guidance.
• Use agreed strategies to support challenging behaviour calmly and consistently.
• Help children develop communication, social interaction and emotional regulation.
• Adapt activities to reflect individual needs, interests and developmental stages.
• Share observations with the teacher and SENCO to support planning and track progress.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and external professionals where appropriate.

Requirements

• Previous experience supporting children with SEND in an early years or primary setting.
• Working knowledge of the EYFS and play-based learning.
• Experience using positive, consistent approaches to challenging behaviour.
• Confidence supporting communication, social development and emotional regulation.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• The right to work in the UK and availability for the remainder of the academic year.
• Willingness to complete an enhanced DBS and other safeguarding checks.

What the School Offers

• A welcoming primary school with an inclusive, child-centred ethos.
• Close collaboration with the Nursery team and SENCO.
• A long-term opportunity to make a sustained difference throughout the academic year.
• A joined-up approach involving families and external professionals.
• Scope to shape play-based activities around childrens individual interests and needs.
• A meaningful early years role focused on communication, confidence and independence.

Teach Now operates stringent safer recruitment procedures. We are committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect the same commitment from all staff and volunteers. This post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance