Early Years Practitioner

Licensed sponsor Crawley Posted 1 day ago

LEVEL 2/3 QUALIFIED EARLY YEARS EDUCATOR

Grade/Point: – Grade 3/4

Hours: – 16.5 hours per week term time + INSET days (Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9am – 3pm) 17 hours per week term time + INSET days (Tuesday 8.30am – 3pm, Wednesday 9am – 3pm and Thursday 9am – 3pm)

Line Manager: – Nursery Manager

Location: – Maidenbower Infant School and Nursery, Crawley

Maidenbower Infant School is seeking to appoint a Qualified Early Practitioner for our outstanding School Nursery, which is a Governor run, PVI nursery established in 2004 on a temporary contract until July 2027.

The nursery provides a safe and stimulating environment for 3- and 4-year-old children who are looking to have fun developing the lifelong skills of literacy, numeracy, independence, creativity and problem-solving.

You will work in a warm, friendly and caring environment, and play an essential role in our school and nursery.

We are absolutely committed to providing the very best education for our children and we are seeking to appoint a strong candidate to the role who has the right skill set, values and attributes.

The early years team considers carefully what pupils will learn. They manage activities with great skill, including checking pupils’ learning. Staff make excellent use of these checks to adjust pupils’ tasks. ' Ofsted July 2025

Please see the job description and person specification for more information about the role. You are strongly encouraged to arrange an informal visit with the nursery. To arrange a visit, please contact the nursery on 01293 880134 or email directly at nursery@maidenbowerinfant.w-sussex.sch.uk.

Closing Date: Monday 14th December. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the vacancy will be closed before this date if a suitable candidate is found.

Safeguarding Statement

Maidenbower Infant School and Nursery and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

Maidenbower Infant School and Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and staff. It expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Reference checks will also be performed prior to interview.

How to Apply

NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the school processes your applications directly rather than through this site.

To apply for this role please click on the Application Attachment links below.

Please complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description).

Once complete please return this to nursery@maidenbowerinfant.w-sussex.sch.uk

Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please contact the school directly.

Application Attachments:

Application Form - Non Teaching
Early Years Educator Job Description
#LI-DNI

Overview

The role of the Early Years Practitioner is to assist the Nursery Manager to ensure that all children receive the highest standards of care and education.
To involve parents in the life of the Nursery and establish a close and welcoming partnership with them.
To have responsibility for key children and ensure their developmental needs are met.

Childcare and Education

Promote high standards of quality within the nursery in respect of the environment, resources and experience offered to children.
Ensure that all children attending the nursery receive rich and stimulating experiences appropriate to the age and stage of development.
Ensure that practice and provision in the nursery meets the requirements of Early Years Foundation Stage.
To carry out on going observations of the children to assess their progress and development.
To discuss individual children's progress and development with Nursery Manager and other members of staff as relevant.
To support the Nursery Manager in planning and reviewing sessions with the staff team.
To support the Nursery Manager in the production of any relevant policies or other Nursery documentation as required.
Ensure that children are kept safe and that staff understand and follow safeguarding procedures.
To be aware of the children's personal, social and emotional needs and to respond to these appropriately encouraging independence.
To support the organisation and administration of the induction programme for new children ensuring that their start is smooth, happy and secure.
To help maintain and develop links with the school.
Promote and facilitate partnerships with parents/carers both orally and written, and other family members.
Establish, develop and maintain highly professional working relationships with relevant Local Authority Departments, regulatory bodies and other agencies.
To provide large and small group activities in line with the nursery curriculum.
To support the use of Class Dojo, assisting the Nursery Manager in checking and reviewing all entries are suitable for publication.

Support for Additional Needs

In liaison with the SENCO and children’s keyworkers, produce and implement individual programmes for children with additional needs and be committed to working in an environment which promotes inclusion.
Maintain records and collate evidence to assist children in getting the required support.
To meet with parents to identify, discuss additional needs and co-produce Individual Learning Plans where required.
To complete paperwork and referrals for and meet with outside agencies to support children in Nursery.
To implement any advice or programmes of support given by professionals.

Health and Safety

Adhere to all Health and Safety policy and procedures.
Be fully aware of all emergency and security procedures.
To provide first aid and medical care according to the children’s needs.

General

Adhere to all school policies and procedures.
Ensure that all school policies on diversity and equal opportunities are adhered to.
Undertake any other duties requested by the Nursery Manager or Head Teacher.
Maintain effective methods of communication with children, staff and carers. Attend all meetings as and when required.

The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive or restrictive and other duties relevant to this post holder may be added. This job description may be subject to change and may be reviewed in the future.

Qualification requirements

The Early Years Educator will work and interact directly with children on a day-to-day basis supporting the planning of and delivery of activities. A full and relevant qualification in Early Years at Level 2 or above, understand and ensure the requirements of EYFS and Ofsted are met.