Job Description

EARLY YEARS ASSISTANT PRACTITIONER
Puddleducks Preschool
Term time Monday-Friday
Immediate start

Puddleducks Preschool is a charity run, pack away, Ofsted registered Early Years Provider, providing care for children aged 2-5, over 10 sessions a week from the Jubilee Room on the Mulbarton Village Hall complex. Running for over 30 years we are a well established and well-respected Early Years settings in the local area. Sessions run weekday mornings: 9-12 and afternoons: 12.30-3.30, with full days, Breakfast clubs from (8am) and three twilight evenings until 5.45.

Due to continuing growth and demand for early years spaces we are looking for

Permanent Early Years Practitioner with immediate start

Maternity cover with January 2026 start

Bank staff cover with immediate start

At Puddleducks you will work as part of a dedicated and experienced team to provide a caring and nurturing environment, where all children are offered exciting learning opportunities, offering a warm and welcoming family atmosphere to parents and carers. As a member of the staff team you will be expected to take on Key person responsibilities and within the working hours there will be a time allocation for the completion of children's records and paperwork. You will have a good understanding of the EYFS and have the ability to plan and participate in activities as required.

We are looking for someone who is confident, fun, friendly and enthusiastic about Early Years education and the care of young children. You should be able to empathise with children and help create a nurturing framework for child development. We would like the applicant to be committed and flexible, be able to communicate effectively both with the other members of the staff team and parents. You should be able to lead as well as operate as part of a growing team.

Hours of work:
To be determined for the right candidate allocated across our working week Monday-Friday 7.30-3.30 with potential late finishes (6pm) Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

We also open during The Easter and summer holidays with these working hours being paid as overtime.

Salary: to be agreed depending on age, qualifications and experience, in-line with the minimum wage and Puddleducks pay scale.

Essential Criteria:

Qualification: We are looking for someone with a full and relevant Early year's qualification, level 2 or level 3 in line with the Early Years Qualification list, published by The Department for Education. We would also like the applicant to hold a relevant Pediatric first aid qualification and safeguarding certificate.

Skills and Knowledge: To have experience of working within an Early-years setting, experience of working with children age 2-5 and a good knowledge of the EYFS. We are looking for someone who has a good level of Literacy and Numeracy, ideally GCSE grade C or above. The applicant will need to have knowledge and experience of keeping relevant child-based records and observations in the form of Learning Journals, ideally using an online system, but training will be given. A complete knowledge and understanding of child protection and of the safeguarding policies and procedures to keep children safe and secure and to ensure that others within the setting are adhering to the correct policies.

Desirable Criteria
? Safeguarding Lead Practitioner Training (SLP), including Child Protection
? Relevant Pediatric First Aid Training
? Food Hygiene
? SENCO training
? Previous experience working in a level 2/ level 3 practitioner role with min 2 years' experience, is desirable
The successful applicant will be given a full induction, which includes policies and procedures of the setting and Health and safety management within the setting. Appointment to the position will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and the receipt of two suitable references.
Puddleducks Pre-school is an equal opportunities employer; we are a charitable organisation managed by a Committee of dedicated volunteers.
Puddleducks Pre-school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Deadline for applications: 15th December2025
Interview dates: To be confirmed

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Education:

GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:

Nursery: 2 years (preferred)
License/Certification:

qualification, inline with DfE Qualification list (preferred)
Work Location: In person

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temporary
Contract length: 9 months

Pay: From 12.21 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 12 per week

Benefits:

Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: In person