EARLY YEARS TEACHING ASSISTANT

Lancashire County Council; Chorley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School & Nursery in Chorley is seeking a highly motivated teaching assistant (5 days a week) and Breakfast Club Assistant (Friday morning only) to join our EYFS team. This school-based TA role supports learning, development and care for our youngest pupils in a warm, inclusive environment.

You will work 8:30am–3:30pm (32.5 hours per week) with Friday mornings 7:15am–8:30am (1.25 hours), totaling 33.75 hours. The post is part time, term time only; salary is pro-rata.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or above qualification (or equivalent).
• GCSE Grade C or above in English/Literacy and Mathematics/Numeracy
• An Early Years qualification that meets the Department for Education (DfE) criteria for working in the early years foundation stage

Responsibilities

• Support children’s learning, play and development through high-quality interactions, activities and continuous provision.
• Maintain a clean, safe and stimulating environment, indoors and outdoors, following school Health & Safety procedures.
• Be sensitive to the needs of all children and promote positive behaviour, wellbeing and independence.
• Build positive and professional relationships with children, staff and parents.
• Support children with care routines such as toileting, snack times and personal hygiene.
• Assist in preparing resources, setting up and tidying learning areas, and maintaining equipment.
• Observe children’s progress and share information with the class teacher or EYFS lead as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Organisational skills

Literacy skills

Numeracy skills

Teamworking

Flexibility

Education

NVQ Level 2 or above

GCSE English & Maths (Grade C+)

Early Years qualification meeting DfE criteria

Job description

Location Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Chorley, Brooke Street, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 0LB (162 on roll)
Tel: [phone]
School website: sacredheartchorley.net/

Summary The Governors of Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School & Nursery are seeking a highly motivated, dynamic and experienced professional to join our team in a dual role as a Teaching Assistant (5 days a week) and Breakfast Club Assistant (Friday morning only).

This is a school-based TA role working within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to support high-quality learning, development and care for our youngest pupils. The successful candidate will work as part of our Early Years team, contributing to a warm, inclusive and nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued and inspired to learn.

Role Overview You will support children within the EYFS (Nursery & Reception children), lunchtime hall & playground support 8.30am – 3.30pm (32.5 hours per week). On a Friday mornings you will assist with Active Hearts Breakfast Club 7.15am – 8.30am (1.25 hrs per week). 33.75 hours in total.

• Support children’s learning, play and development through high-quality interactions, activities and continuous provision.
• Maintain a clean, safe and stimulating environment, both indoors and outdoors, following school Health & Safety procedures.
• Be sensitive to the needs of all children and promote positive behaviour, wellbeing and independence.
• Build positive and professional relationships with children, staff and parents.
• Support children with care routines such as toileting, snack times and personal hygiene.
• Assist in preparing resources, setting up and tidying learning areas, and maintaining equipment.
• Observe children’s progress and share information with the class teacher or EYFS lead as required.

Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

Please note that we can only consider applications from candidates who are legally entitled to work in the UK.

This position is part time, term time only, please note the salary quoted is full time equivalent. If successful, the salary received will be paid on a pro–rata basis.

The closing date is 12pm on 28/09/2026

The position is until 20th July 2027.

Visits to school are warmly encouraged.

Essential Qualifications

• Recognised and relevant NVQ Level 2 or above qualification (or equivalent).
• GCSE Grade C or above in English/Literacy and Mathematics/Numeracy
• An Early Years qualification that meets the Department for Education (DfE) criteria for working in the early years foundation stage

Desirable Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or above qualification (or equivalent)
• First Aid/Paediatric First Aid Certificate

Essential Experience

• Experience of working with or caring for children of relevant age
• Ability to operate at a level of understanding and competence
• Ability to relate well to children and work as part of a team
• Have good communication, time management and organisational skills
• Have knowledge of classroom roles and responsibilities, and the concept of confidentiality
• Good numeracy and literacy skills
• Flexible attitude to work

Desirable Experience

• Ability to make effective use of ICT
• Knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Information provided by you or the Disclosure and Barring Service will be dealt with in a confidential manner in accordance with the DBS's Code of Practice. You may view the Code of Practice on the DBS website at www.gov.uk/dbs or alternatively a copy is available on request. Lancashire County Council has a Handling of DBS Certificate Information Police and a Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders this is available from the recruiting manager to applicants who are asked to complete a DBS application.

The County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all people in terms of recruitment, selection and employment, and is a Disability Confident employer, which means that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the person specification will be interviewed. However, commitment to this standard is on an individual school basis and, therefore, if you are applying for a position within a school, you will need to check with the school whether they have made the decision to comply with this standard.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.