Job Description

Highfield Pre-School, part of Harrogate Ladies College, is a leading independent nursery school for boys and girls (2- 4 years). Our Pre School is a unique and wonderful nursery school environment and is the perfect stepping stone from home to school.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Early Years Practitioner to join our Pre-School team. The successful candidates will become part of an established, supportive team, working with children aged 2-4 years in a lovely setting. Please refer to the job description for full details of duties and responsibilities.
The core hours are worked across Mondays to Fridays during term-time, with additional hours during Holiday Club weeks throughout the year.

Monday:

7.30am - 1.00pm

Tuesday:

12.00pm - 6.00pm

Wednesday:

12.00pm - 6.00pm

Thursday:

12.00pm - 4.30pm

Friday:

8.45am - 4.30pm

Total Hours:

29 hours per week

Applicants should have a relevant Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years/Childcare qualification and be experienced in working in a similar environment. A good understanding and sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage is required.

For further details please see our job description below.

Reports to:

Pre-School Manager and Head of EYFS in Highfield Pre-School

Responsibilities (2-4 years):

Planning and Organisation

To attend one week of INSET during the school holidays for in-house training and planning To attend weekly staff meetings; To plan, resource and evaluate adult directed activities for all children; To plan and resource child initiated learning throughout the care provision; To plan and prepare specific activities, including baking, story and art activities, both indoors and outdoors; To create displays and mount children's work; To ensure that the necessary materials and resources are available for all children; To create interactive role play areas and interest tables; To attend first aid training every three years and child protection training every year; To attend CPD courses and cascade information to the team at staff meetings.

Working with Children

To have a sound knowledge and understanding of the statutory framework for the EYFS and characteristics of effective learning; To have a sound knowledge and understanding of the welfare requirements; To have a secure, detailed knowledge of child protection and Safeguarding procedures; To welcome and settle children during visits and when they have started; To scaffold children's' play and extend children's language, promoting questions and ideas; To be responsible for groups of children engaging in specific activities; To assist children with particular learning difficulties; To take responsibility for small groups of children on trips and outings; To supervise children during outdoor play; To supervise children when crossing the road to HLC, following established procedure.

Assessment of Children

To have a secure knowledge of the observation, planning and recording cycle; To have a secure knowledge of child development; To observe children; To write up observations, both summative and formative, and to write reports; To record and track key worker children; To complete formal and informal assessments of key worker children.

Care and Welfare of Children

To administer first aid to children or adults and record in the Accident Book. Ensure that the parent/carer signs the Accident Book after they have been given an explanation of the event; To supervise and assist dressing and toileting of children, including nappy changing; To provide comfort and reassurance to children in distress; To accompany sick children to hospital or Wellness Centre.

Housekeeping

To ensure Pre-School is kept tidy; To clean equipment used specifically for children; To keep playrooms tidy, replacing materials and resources appropriately; To use materials and resources economically; To attend to plants as part of a gardening related activity; To serve food and drink to children; To assist children with packed lunches and supervise them whilst eating; Occasionally purchase items for school using funds from petty cash; To ensure cups, plates, utensils are cleaned and stored safely.

Confidentiality

Staff must read and agree to the Confidentiality Policy. Individual children must not be discussed out of school; Children's records and information must be kept confidential.

Professional conduct

Staff must ensure that any written communication with parents is correctly spelt and punctuated; Staff must remain professional, showing the utmost respect when discussing sensitive issues with parents; Staff must respect one another's opinions and voice, supporting one another when necessary; If staff are unsure how to address a parent, or are faced with a difficult situation, the Pre-School Manager and Head of EYFS will offer guidance; Staff must have respect for others, including all staff (teaching and non-teaching), trainees, pupils and parents; Staff must demonstrate appropriate behaviour towards all children and young people at all times, both in formal and informal settings; Staff must be willing to listen to and act upon feedback and advice from the Pre-School Manager and Head of EYFS; Staff must take responsibility for their own learning. They must be able to discuss professional strengths in relation to practice and raise action points for their development; All staff must act in accordance with guidance as stated in the HLC Staff Handbook.

Person specification:

Level 3 childcare qualifications is required and experience of working with children in a similar setting or to be able to demonstrate that they have the relevant skill set and interest to be able to do so.
Job Type: Permanent

Pay: 12.75 per hour

Expected hours: 29 per week

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 02/01/2026
Reference ID: Early Years Practitioner/Dec2025