Copthill School is looking for an experienced EY practitioner for this well-established, thriving outstanding Nursery/Pre-School Department from January 2026. The role of the Practitioner is to ensure high-quality standards of care and education for all of our children. The successful candidate will be working in a welcoming, stimulating, caring and happy department within a busy and supportive school.
Responsible to:
Nursery and Pre school Lead
Timetable details:
Part-time during school term time. 25 hours per week
Purpose of the role
? Ensure high quality education and care for Nursery and Pre-School children in a safe, welcoming and stimulating setting
? Promote the development of each individual child across all areas of their education
? Carry out other associated duties as reasonably assigned by the Nursery and Pre school Lead
? Actively promote the vision and aims of Copthill School
Main Duties
Education and Learning
To provide a high quality of education and learning within the EY framework.
To be involved with planning for provision which meets the requirements of the Development Matters curriculum.
To assist in planning and evaluation of activities providing feedback to the Nursery and Pre school Lead on children's progress and behaviour.
To implement the daily routine including the daily timetable, planning, observations and assessments.
To facilitate, supervise, participate in, observe and assess activities to engage and teach the children, following each area of the Early Years curriculum.
To record and evidence observations of children in alignment with EYFS framework.
To supervise the children and also be responsible for their physical, emotional, social and intellectual well-being.
Take on the role of key worker for a designated group of children.
To help to create a welcoming and family friendly environment.
To assist in setting up and clearing away, ensuring the daily provision follows the planning and is inviting and engaging for the children.
To support and participate in meal times within the setting (snack and lunch).
Be involved in induction and settling in for new children.
To promote the inclusion and acceptance of children with special needs ensuring access to activities through appropriate clarification, explanation and resources.
Promoting positive values, attitudes and behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encouraging children to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
To assist with the display and presentation of work.
To assist with escorting children on any educational visits.
To keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff, which is acquired as part of the job.
To assist with the preparation, maintenance and control of stocks of materials and resources.
To liaise with SENDCO as needed.
Key person Duties
? To build a positive, professional relationship with the family of each child.
? To share information about the child's progress, development and pastoral needs as required
? To liaise closely with parents/carers, informing them about the Nursery and its curriculum, exchanging information about children's progress and encouraging parents' involvement.
Providing feedback to parents at
Parents Evenings
and in
written reports
- providing or contributing to oral or written assessments and reports relating to individual pupils or groups of pupils.
- attending parents consultation evenings twice a year attending four nights in total, or as reasonably directed by the EY Leader
Providing pastoral support to parents and children as a
Key Person
Monitoring and recording the social and academic development of pupils in the role of
Key Person
,
identify and add Next Steps to Tapestry for all key children
maintaining assessment records across all areas of learning; including updating Tapestry and the 'concerns' page, adding reflections when required
complete 2 year old progress checks 6 weeks after pupil start date
write end of year reports, including reports on the educational, personal and social needs of pupils;
report to Early Years Lead on each key child on all 7 areas of development
communicating and co-operating with persons or bodies outside the school
participating in meetings arranged for any of the purposes
Attending new starter induction sessions
Participate in Parent workshops.
General duties and responsibilities
Help with preparation of the classroom each morning
Welcoming parents and children on arrival
Maintain classroom essentials / toys etc. including outside equipment and preparing resources and displays
Covering for staff absence in a short term capacity
Taking part in: Outside play / Games lessons / Music and movement / Forest School
Preparing equipment / resources for activities - i.e. gym equipment and other apparatus
Take children to change clothes when necessary.
Helping children with hygiene, toileting and changing
Supervising lunchtime
Take part in Sports Day, Christmas Production etc.
Taking story time / circle time and other appropriate activities
Using initiative as a General Assistant throughout each session
promoting the general progress and well-being of individual pupils and of any class or group of pupils assigned to him/her; providing guidance and advice to pupils on educational and social matters;
Professional Conditions
Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required, includes 3 inset mornings per annum.
Work as part of the Assistant Team, moving to other classes and departments on a temporary basis, as required by the Nursery Pre school Lead.
Cover classes for temporary periods in the absence of the Teacher.
Be aware of and comply with all policies and procedures.
Be aware of and comply with the Staff Code of Conduct.
Be aware of and comply with all safeguarding policies relating to child protection, health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection. reporting all concerns to the appropriate person.
Contribute to the overall ethos /work/aims of the team and school.
Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required Undertake any additional task or duty relating to the curriculum, organisation or pastoral function of the school as the Headteacher may reasonably, from time to time, require.
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
Qualifications
? At least 3 years' experience working in an EYFS setting
? Level 3 Childcare Studies
? Level 5 or above English and Maths GCSE'
DESIRABLE
Forest School level 3
EXPERIENCE
? Commitment to the safeguarding and protection of children and young people through involvement in training and implementation of the school's safeguarding and child protection procedures
? Working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and current statutory guidance
? Key Pertson for a group of children and their families
? Knowledge and proven practical experience of implementing excellent teaching and learning opportunities
? Experience of and obvious willingness to support learning activities using the outdoor environment
? Experience of working in close and cooperative partnership with parents
? Experience of using an online learning journal for observations, tracking and monitoring
? Experience in a variety of Early Years' settings
? Adept at use of Tapestry
Person Specification
? a non-negotiable belief that education should be based around the needs of the child
? an obvious commitment to achieving the best outcomes for each individual child
? high expectations for yourself and for the children in your care
? the ability to create a happy and effective learning environment which is welcoming and stimulating for all - children and their parents
? the ability to teach effectively using appropriate resources which contribute to ensuring excellent teaching and learning
? excellent classroom management skills
? enthusiasm for learning outdoors
? confident use of ICT for administrative purposes
? willing and active involvement in the wider life of the school community
? ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, and under own initiative
? well-adaptable to changing circumstances & ideas
? organised and able to manage time productively
? able to communicate clearly, negotiate and consult taking into account others' views
? maintain a calm level of professionalism
Personal Attributes
? energy and enthusiasm
? reliability and integrity
? flexibility and versatility
? approachable
? empathetic
? patient
? resourceful
? willing to go `above and beyond` by contributing and participating in the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer
? sense of humour
Job Types: Part-time, Temporary, Fixed term contract
Pay: Up to 23,305.00 per year
Expected hours: 25 per week
Benefits:
Bereavement leave
Canteen
Company events
Company pension
Discounted or free food
Free flu jabs
Free parking
Health & wellbeing programme
On-site parking
Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
Uffington: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
GCSE or equivalent (required)
Experience:
Nursery : 3 years (required)
Childcare: 3 years (required)
EY Key Person: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person