EYFS Teaching Assistant

Protocol Education Ltd; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational provider in Sunderland is seeking a full-time EYFS Teaching Assistant to support children aged 2-5 with complex needs. The ideal candidate will be patient and creative, enjoying sensory and play-based learning. This role offers competitive pay and the opportunity for ongoing professional development with a supportive team. Training in specific communication strategies is encouraged, creating a rewarding environment where children’s progress is celebrated daily.

Benefits

Weekly PAYE pay

Free Early Years and SEND CPD

Supportive consultant

Celebration of children's progress

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting children with complex developmental needs.
• Comfortable with personal care and sensory regulation.

Responsibilities

• Support children aged 2–5 with sensory exploration and early communication.
• Work closely with teachers and therapists.
• Create positive learning moments and help with personal care.

Skills

Experience in EYFS, nursery or early learning

Enjoy sensory play and child-led exploring

Patience and gentle approach towards non-verbal children

Communication strategies knowledge (PECs, Makaton)

Job description

EYFS Teaching Assistant – Specialist Early Years Provision (Full Time)

Location: Sunderland
Contract: Full time, long term
Start: ASAP
Pay: £89 to £110 per day (PAYE)

If you love helping little ones learn through play, routine and gentle encouragement, this role will suit you perfectly. We’re supporting a specialist Early Years setting for children with complex developmental and communication needs, and they’re looking for an EYFS TA who brings warmth, patience and creativity every day.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting children aged 2–5 with sensory exploration, early communication and play-based learning
• Using visuals, signs and simple routines to help children feel safe and understood
• Creating positive, low-pressure learning moments
• Working closely with teachers and therapists to encourage early development
• Helping with personal care, mealtime routines and sensory regulation

You’ll be brilliant for this role if:

• You have experience in EYFS, nursery or early learning
• You enjoy sensory play, songs, movement and child-led exploring
• You’re patient, gentle and confident supporting non‑verbal children
• You’re happy to learn communication strategies such as PECs and Makaton

What you get from Protocol Education:

• Weekly PAYE pay
• Free Early Years and SEND CPD
• Supportive consultant who knows the setting
• A long‑term role where children’s progress is celebrated daily

If making Early Years magical is your thing, we’d love to hear from you.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.