Early Years Practitioner

Position Summary

The Early Years Practitioner provides an outstanding learning environment and develops our youngest pupils to become Motivated, Engaged and Thinkers.

• Hours of Work 8.00 am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Term-time only.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a skilled Practitioner, you will:

• Be a Key-Carer for a small group of children whom you will be responsible for writing and evaluating observations, planning for the next steps, taking and uploading photos/videos to the Early Years Learning Journals, writing reports, meeting with parents, groups and key-group planning, liaising with outside professionals where required

• Support, extend and record children’s learning and development, showing an understanding of children’s development to plan the next steps and support their individual needs

• Deliver the highest quality care and education to ensure that all children reach their full potential

• Develop strong professional relationships with children, parents, carers and staff

• Work with small groups of children or individuals to teach through the child’s play, covering all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum inside and outside

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of the pupils, maintaining a constant awareness of all issues relating to child protection

• Set a positive example to all children by showing a personal and professional attitude of cooperation, consideration and caring relationships with all members of the school

• Be prepared to work 1:1 with children requiring intervention

• Work with small groups of children for adult-led or directed work

• Occasionally take the whole group as directed by the Classroom Leader and agreed by the Head of Year and/or Head of Early Years, e.g., taking the register, reading a story, delivering a focused activity

• Give feedback to support assessments

• Liaise with parents as required at the start and end of the day when they arrive with and pick up their children

• Understand and support the emotional and social needs of the children

• Set up the classroom with the Classroom Leader for any activities that will be taking place during the day

• Be able to manage positive behaviour within age-appropriate expectations

• Attend to any child who becomes ill or injured during the day and seek appropriate assistance

• Support children with toileting and personal care when needed, including children who are not yet toilet-trained

• Visit the library with children and support the development of pre-reading skills

• Take children to their ‘specialist teacher’ lessons, e.g., dance, music etc. and stay with them during the lesson to support the teacher

• Take children to extra-curricular activities or extended day

• Share outside supervision and engaging in their play, including setting out and putting away equipment

• Support Teachers and Classroom Leaders with year-group productions

• Support the children through daily activities such as lunch and snack, ensuring their safety as they eat

• To meet with parents at termly parents evenings and write an end of year report for your key children explaining their development progress and next steps.

Person Specification and Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 essential or above in Child Development or equivalent qualification

• A firm understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and child development with a solid knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children

• Knowledge of Health and Safety issues

• Previous experience with children aged 2 to 5 years

• Good communication skills (spoken and written) with both adults and children, with the desire to work and play with the children, demonstrating positive behaviour management skills

• Act with the highest integrity and professionalism, showing discretion and confidentiality at all times

• Ability to build and maintain successful relationships with pupils, treating them with respect and consideration

Desirable

• A caring and flexible approach to working

• Previous experience using online learning journals

• Current paediatric first aid certificate

• Knowledge and understanding of EAL and SEN

• Knowledge of childhood games and activities

• Have good ICT and Interactive White Board knowledge and skills

• A broad understanding of different pedagogies and when to use them in practice

Closing date: Midnight, Tuesday 13 October 2026.

St Piran's School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. St Piran's School ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.