Job Description

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Early Years Practitioner

Job Title:

Early Years Practitioner

Hours:

40 hours per week (Monday to Friday, all year round)

Salary:

12.60 per hour

Start Date:

As soon as possible

Job Role and Responsibilities

As an Early Years Practitioner, you will be responsible for providing high-quality childcare and early education for children in a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment. Your key responsibilities will include:

Providing a warm, caring, and inclusive setting where children feel valued and secure. Planning and implementing engaging and age-appropriate activities that support children's learning and development. Observing and assessing children's progress, maintaining accurate records, and supporting individual development plans. Encouraging children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through play and structured activities. Ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of all children, following safeguarding and child protection procedures. Collaborating with colleagues and parents to provide the best possible care and support for each child. Maintaining a clean, safe, and stimulating environment in line with health and safety policies. Adhering to relevant national and local early years standards and regulations. Participating in training and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.

Person Specification

Essential:

Minimum HNC, or equivalent qualification in Childcare and Early Education (or willingness to gain qualification). Proven experience working in a nursery or early years setting. Strong understanding of child development and early years frameworks (such as Curriculum for Excellence or Realising the Ambition). Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, and health and safety regulations. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with children, families, and colleagues. Ability to work as part of a team and use initiative. A caring, patient, and enthusiastic approach to working with young children. SSSC registration (or eligibility to register) and PVG Scheme membership.

Desirable:

First Aid, Food Hygiene, and Child Protection training (or willingness to obtain). Experience working with children with additional support needs. Knowledge of current early years policies and best practices.

Application Process:

Following the Care Inspectorate's safe recruitment guidance, all applicants will go through the following steps:

Application Submission:

Submit a CV and covering letter detailing your experience and suitability for the role.*
Provide details of two references, including a current or recent employer.

Shortlisting:

Applications will be reviewed against the person specification. Successful candidates will be invited for an interview.

Interview Process:

Formal interview with scenario-based questions assessing experience. Practical assessment may be included, involving interaction with children in a play setting.

Pre-Employment Checks:

Enhanced PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check. Verification of professional qualifications (if applicable). Reference checks, including from most recent employer. Right to Work check.

Final Offer and Induction:

Successful candidate will receive a formal job offer subject to satisfactory checks. Induction and training to ensure smooth transition into the role.
If you are passionate about making a difference in children's lives (having some fun and occasionally getting playdough on your shoes) and meet the criteria above, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 12.60 per hour

Benefits:

Free parking
Ability to commute/relocate:

Leuchars: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):

only candidates with relevant childcare qualifications will be considered
Experience:

Nursery: 1 year (preferred) Childcare: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person