Job Description

Job Title

: Lead Early Years Practitioner

Location

: Holy Corner Community Playgroup, Edinburgh, EH10 4DD

Wage

: 13.17 per hour, reviewed in line within regular organisational pay reviews

Hours

: Base hours for the position are 21.5hrs per week with the requirement to attend meetings and other duties in addition to this. See below for more details.

Reporting to

: Playgroup Manager

HOLY CORNER COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP

At Holy Corner Community Playgroup our values are

Community

and

Play

and our Vision is to meet the challenges of a changing world. We aim to provide a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment which is caring and responsive to our children as well as their parents and carers, and to continue to provide a valued space for our community where families can bring their young children to play, as they have done for over 50 years.

We have been providing drop-off childcare for up to 24 children aged between 2 and 5 years and up to a maximum of 20 attend morning sessions Monday to Friday. The Playgroup is managed by an elected parent committee who work collaboratively with the Early Years Practitioner team to provide a high-quality space for children to play, experience life outside the home, and make friends. Children follow their interests in an environment that is creative, challenging, safe and varied. We are committed to up-to-date concepts of childhood, children's rights and the value of play. The Playgroup employs a Manager, Early Years Practitioners, Playworker, and a Business Development Manager. Staff members are accountable to the Management Committee through the Manager.

The Playgroup is registered with the Scottish Care Inspectorate (Care Inspectorate, 2015) and is a Partner Provider with City of Edinburgh Council, and a member of Early Years Scotland. We offer a wide variety of activities in a child-led approach in line with the national guidance 'Realising the Ambition' (2020) and a child-led curriculum with reference to the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Lead Practitioner's overall responsibility is to supervise front-line provision, working with families and Practitioners to create a positive space for children's health, well-being and learning in a free play, child-led environment, with observations of children's needs in order to meet them responsively.

HOURS OF WORK

Playgroup welcomes the children from 8.55am to 12.20pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.55am to 11.35am on a Friday, following the school academic calendar. For practitioners, there is set up and pack down time and weekly meetings. There are occasional events to attend as well as in service days in line with the school calendar. Contract hours per week 21.5 (Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 1pm, Friday 8.30am to 12 noon). In addition, regular meetings during term-time on weekly basis: Monday (1-2pm) and Wednesday (1-2.15pm) after session. Plus, monthly meeting for planning (2-3.15pm).

Additional times include staff termly rota for: Monday morning start time of 8.15am (2 practitioners), weekly snack shopping (1 hour, 1 practitioner), and a termly progress meeting (2 hours, all staff to attend on site). Hours of work during term include in-service days in line with the school calendar.

Due to the nature of part-time hours of Playgroup contracts, there will be out of hours communications for staff which may be time-bound and essential. The changing nature of the community events may mean there are events which staff are occasionally requested to attend.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Main Duties

Supervising the delivery of front-line support to children aged 2 to 5 years in play and learning in line with Playgroup's values, policies and protocols Designated Member of Staff for Child Protection, First Aid, Additional Support for Learning and Medication in the absence of the Playgroup Manager Responding to children's interests with resources, conversation and activities and planning approaches Providing individualised nurture and care to young children, including emotional comfort and intimate care Promoting the rights and interests of the children and families who make up the Playgroup Holding the post of Key Person for a small group of children, becoming aware of their individual circumstances and interests and recording these in their Personal Plans Communicating and planning as a team and facilitating planning processes to support staff and children. Planning should take account of children's interests, communities, and national guidance on Early Learning and Care Developing and maintaining the skills required for the post. Including ongoing self-assessment, contributing to the self-assessment taking place across the Playgroup, and updating SSSC membership with required training Support induction and training of new staff and volunteers Setting up and clearing away the resources on a daily basis, in line with responsive planning, learning focus, and professional reflection Keeping the Playgroup clean and fit for purpose

Secondary Duties

Communicating with the Playgroup stakeholders for example parents and carers, children and the Church staff. Working with the Playgroup Manager to ensure that policies are kept up to date, communicated and adhered to Bringing extra skills into the Playgroup and making them available to the children Represent Holy Corner at sector meetings such as the Boroughmuir Learning Community meetings when required

Additional Requirements

Implement health and safety guidelines Support and encourage children with their self-help skills Administer prescribed medication according to the authorities guidelines on the Administration of Medicines Follow Child Protection procedures Assist with children's snack time adhering to hygiene practices and following allergy prevention measures Comply with standards set by the Care Inspectorate Support children to adopt good hygiene practices at all times

PERSONAL ATTITUDE

You should be:

Proactive and self-motivated in leadership of a team Child-centred and have a progressive, positive view of children Willing to sing, accept play invitations, and be playful when the moment arises Patient, courteous and respectful to all Value children's rights Able to articulate your professional position on ethical and political issues surrounding children Able to talk about your practice, the role of the adult in a play environment and your CPD Aware of your own health needs and physical fitness and seek support where needed Aware of the varying uses and potential of ELC resources, and be excited to experiment with them in order to create high quality experiences for the children

SKILLS REQUIRED

Documentation:

You are required to have, or be working towards, a practice qualification of either an SVQ Social Services (Children and Young People), SCQF Level 7, or a HNC in Childhood Practice Registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) within the first 6 months Successful PVG must be gained before starting in the role Professional references are essential

Essential:

Proven experience working with children aged 2-5 years old Sound knowledge of child development and early childhood education Ability to identify quality provision in line with legislation, national guidance and theory Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills Ability to work in partnership with colleagues and families and maintain confidentiality Ability to identify strengths and challenges in the team and contribute to a positive ethos Ability to work independently and in a team within a childcare setting Organisational and planning skills Ability to be flexible IT and administration skills
Please apply for an application pack by emailing .

Deadline for applications is Nov 7th 2025. Interviews week of Nov 10th 2025.

Start date: As soon as PVG is cleared and references confirmed.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 13.17 per hour

Expected hours: 21.5 per week

Work Location: In person