This nursery and preschool practitioner post sits in the early years provision at Cranham Primary School, with children's care and learning at its core. The practitioner plans learning and care programmes, either under supervision or in collaboration, and works with children, parents and other professionals. Applicants need a Level 2 or higher Early Years qualification that meets staffing ratios, plus GCSE maths and English at grade 4, and an enhanced DBS check. Visa sponsorship is not available, and the start date is 4 January 2027.
What the job involves
- Plan effective learning and care programmes, under supervision or in collaboration
- Demonstrate and promote good practice in line with the school's ethos, indoors and outdoors
- Relate well to children and adults, including other professionals, carers and parents
- Manage multiple tasks while ensuring children, colleagues, parents and carers are respected and listened to
- Reflect on learning and care needs to shape children's outcomes, including planning, resources, IEPs and communication with parents
- Communicate effectively with adults and children
Qualifications
- Full Level 2 or above Early Years qualification that allows work within Early Years ratios
- Maths and English qualification equivalent to GCSE grade 4 or above
Skills & knowledge
- Plan learning and care programmes under supervision or in collaboration
- Work independently using own initiative
- Self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities
- Relate well to children and adults, including other professionals, carers and parents
- Promote good practice in line with the school's ethos, indoors and outdoors
- Fluent English, with good written, verbal and non-verbal communication with adults and children
Checks & eligibility
- Full enhanced DBS check
- Eligibility to work in the UK
Other
- Willingness to take part in development and training opportunities
- Manage multiple tasks while respecting and listening to children, colleagues, parents and carers
- Proactive, positive team player who understands pre-school roles and their own position within them
- Enthusiasm for learning and working with children
- Caring, friendly, approachable, open, inclusive and personable
- Maintain confidentiality at all times
Nice to have
- Proven experience of working with children in an early learning environment, including on a 1:1 basis
- Experience of working in Early Years in a school environment
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Training in relevant strategies and learning areas, such as parenting, communication, language and literacy, ICT or maths
- Understanding of child development, learning processes and barriers to learning
- Full working knowledge of relevant policies and codes of practice, and awareness of the EYFS statutory framework
- Paediatric First Aid qualification
- Health and safety certificate
What’s offered
- Healthcare and wellbeing services through Education Mutual, including mental health support and a 24/7 GP Healthline
- Local Government Pension Scheme, a defined benefit pension
- 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, pro rata, for support staff
- 5 extra days' paid holiday after 5 years' service, pro rata
- Protected CPL time and no work communication outside working hours
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Continued professional development pathway for every role
- Flexible working and family-friendly policies, including occupational maternity and paternity pay