Early Years Teaching Assistant

Blenheim Schools; London Borough of Havering; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Blenheim Schools, in partnership with Oakfields Preparatory School in Upminster, is seeking a caring Early Years Teaching Assistant to support children aged 2-5 within a nurturing EYFS setting.

You will work with colleagues and families to foster curiosity, confidence and foundational skills, contributing to a high-quality care and education environment that supports holistic development.

Qualifications

• Holds a Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above).
• Experience working with children aged 2-5 within an EYFS setting.
• Warm, patient, caring and passionate about supporting young learners.
• Able to build positive relationships with children and families.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and child welfare.
• Enjoys collaborative work within a supportive team.
• Paediatric or Emergency First Aid qualification is desirable.
• Additional EY training or qualifications desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support the care, learning and development of children aged 2-5 years.
• Create engaging play-based learning experiences in line with the EYFS framework.
• Build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Encourage children's independence, confidence and social skills.
• Support both indoor and outdoor learning activities.
• Observe and monitor children's progress and wellbeing.
• Promote safeguarding, health, safety and welfare standards.
• Contribute to activity planning, team meetings and professional development.

Skills

Warm, patient, caring

Strong safeguarding commitment

Collaborative team player

Education

Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above)

Job description

Oakfields Preparatory School is an independent day school located in Upminster, where tradition meets dynamism, creating an extraordinary pathway of opportunities for students aged 3 to 11. At Oakfields, we prioritise small class sizes and provide a nurturing and stimulating environment. We are dedicated to delivering a bespoke and enriched curriculum tailored to each student's needs. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond academics; we prioritise the holistic development of each student, fostering their caring nature and building confidence. We offer an energetic and diverse range of extra-curricular activities and enrichment programmes aimed at increasing learning opportunities for all students, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Role Purpose

We are looking for a caring and dedicated Early Years Teaching Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a key role in supporting children aged 2-5 years during the most important stage of their development. Every day brings new opportunities to spark curiosity, build confidence, and encourage children to explore the world around them. As an Early Years Teaching Assistant, you will support the delivery of high-quality care and education within a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment. You'll work alongside colleagues and families to help every child develop the skills, confidence, and foundations they need to succeed.

What you will be doing

• Supporting the care, learning, and development of children aged 2-5 years.
• Creating engaging play-based learning experiences in line with the EYFS framework.
• Building positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Encouraging children's independence, confidence, and social skills.
• Supporting both indoor and outdoor learning activities.
• Observing and monitoring children's progress and wellbeing.
• Promoting high standards of safeguarding, health, safety, and welfare.
• Contributing to activity planning, team meetings, and professional development.

Qualifications and experience

• Holds a Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above) required.
• Experience working with children aged 2-5 within an EYFS setting.
• Is warm, patient, caring, and passionate about supporting young learners.
• Can build positive and trusting relationships with children and families.
• Has a strong commitment to safeguarding and child welfare.
• Enjoys working collaboratively as part of a supportive team.
• Holds a Paediatric or Emergency First Aid qualification (desirable).
• Has additional Early Years training or qualifications (desirable).

About Blenheim Schools

Blenheim Schools is a growing family of innovative, high-quality independent schools committed to enabling outstanding futures for every student. Our ethos centres on truly understanding each child, their talents, character and aspirations by providing a personalised, ambitious education that helps every child to thrive. We deliver a broad, enriching curriculum supported by tailored teaching and exceptional pastoral care. We celebrate individuality, nurture confidence and champion every learner so they can discover their strengths and achieve their potential. Joining Blenheim Schools means becoming part of a collaborative, forward-thinking community that values creativity, inclusion and professional growth. Our teams are united by a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives and by a commitment to delivering outstanding experiences for students and families. We are proud to be part of OFG Education, which in 2025 was officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the sixth consecutive year.