About this role
Essential Qualifications and Entry Requirements
- Academic Baseline: GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English, maths, and science are mandatory.
- Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): You must hold EYTS or QTS through an accredited training route, such as an undergraduate degree with early years specialism, a postgraduate initial teacher training course, a graduate employment-based pathway, or a fast-track 3-month assessment-only route for experienced graduates.
- Background Checks: An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is legally required.
- Paediatric First Aid: A valid statutory paediatric first aid certificate would be desirable.
Key Skills and Competencies
- EYFS Framework Mastery: Deep knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, learning goals, and child development principles.
- Observation and Assessment: Ability to track and record children's progress using the observation, assessment, and planning cycle.
- Play-Based Pedagogy: Skill in turning play, crafts, and interactive routines into structured lessons for early literacy, numeracy, and science.
- Behaviour Management & Empathy: Strong emotional awareness to help young children self-regulate, build confidence, and navigate social boundaries.
- Communication & Collaboration: Open, reassuring communication to build trusting relationships with parents, carers, and multidisciplinary staff teams.
- Safeguarding & Inclusion: Understanding of child protection procedures, health and safety, and supporting children with special educational needs (SEN).
Required Experience
- Practical Placements or Classroom Work: Practical experience working with children aged 0 to 5 in a nursery, pre-school, independent school, or reception class.
- Key Person Responsibilities: Prior experience acting as a "key person" who manages a specific group of children's personal care, emotional security, and developmental tracking.
- Parental Engagement: Experience leading parent-teacher discussions, handovers, and sharing actionable feedback on daily progress.