Job Description

:

Playschool Assistant to cover maternity leave.

Starting Monday 26th January 2026. Fixed term contract until 16th July 2026.

Hours 9-3pm Monday and Friday in term time only (plus ad hoc cover if available).

Renumeration 12.21 for unqualified staff (increasing to 12.71 from 1st April). 13.22 for qualified staff (increasing to 13.72 from 1st April).

You will be required to attend 1 staff meeting per half term, which will usually be held during a weekday evening, and for this you will be paid your usual hourly rate.

Aims and Ethos of the setting

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check and references for all successful candidates

.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

We have embedded the Thrive approach in the setting and our focus is on attachment theory and building strong bonds with the children and families who attend our setting. We also have a real focus on inclusion and regularly have external agencies working with us in setting - Surrey Early Years Effectiveness and SEND advisors, speech therapists and many others. You will need to be patient, kind, caring and compassionate as well as flexible and able to deal with change as it's a fast-paced environment and the needs of the children can differ on a daily basis. Good communication and team-work skills are vital.

Duties

Duties will include working as part of a team to deliver the EYFS 2025. This may include reading stories to children, joining play in a range of scenarios like playdough, cars, water tray, sensory tray, small world toys, puzzles, building blocks etc. We offer a free flow environment for the children and the garden is open for most of the day and staff need to be able to join garden duties regularly.

Your role will include lunch time supervision and working closely with colleagues including the SENCO and DSL to ensure all children's unique needs are met in the setting. We have a high number of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, ranging from delayed speech to autism spectrum disorder.

Duties will also include risk assessing and helping with tidy up time and packing away the equipment when the children go home.

Mobile phones are stored in a locker during session. You are welcome to bring a bottle of water or a secure flask of tea or coffee which must be stored away from children at all times. You will get a 30 minute lunch break when you can check your phone etc. You can give family members the playschool telephone number to contact you in case of emergency. You may of course take bathroom breaks as required.

Place of work

You will normally be required to work at/from the Peter Pan Playschool, Keswick Rd, Great Bookham, Leatherhead KT23 4BE.

Training entitlements

As part of your Playschool induction, you are required to complete all statutory training - safeguarding, FGM, Prevent duty and food hygiene.

You are also required to complete any additional mandatory courses that the Playschool deem necessary to the performance of your duties.

You will be reimbursed for training attendance at your usual hourly rate.

Holidays

You are entitled to statutory leave entitlement. Holidays may not be taken during term time, except at the discretion and agreement of the Playschool Committee and will be unpaid.

Additional religious holidays may be granted in certain special circumstances.

The holiday year runs from 1st September to 31st August. If the employee is appointed within a holiday year or leaves within a holiday year their leave entitlement is calculated pro rata to the length of service within that holiday year.

Statutory leave entitlement will be calculated and paid at the end of the contract or in August (whichever is first) unless agreed otherwise by the Playschool Committee, and at the usual rate of pay.

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 6 months

Pay: 12.21-13.22 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 12 per week

Benefits:

Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: In person