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Early Years Practitioner
| Posting date: | 31 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 12 August 2025 |
| Location: | EH10 4DD |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Holy Corner Community Playgroup |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Job Title: Early Years Practitioner
Location: Holy Corner Community Playgroup, Edinburgh, EH10 4DD
Wage: £12.60 per hour, reviewed in line within regular organisational pay reviews
Hours: Base hours for the position are 21.5hrs with the requirement to attend meetings and other duties in addition to this
Reporting to: Playgroup Manager
The Practitioner’s overall responsibility is 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.
Playgroup operates from 8.55am to 12.20pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.55am to 11.35am on a Friday, following the school academic calendar. There are also weekly meetings and occasional events to attend, as well as in service days in line with the school calendar.
Main Duties
● Delivering front line support to children aged 2 to 5 years in play and learning
● Responding to their 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. 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
● 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, parents and carers, City of
Edinburgh Council, children, the Church staff
● Supporting the Parent Committee in their roles to gain the best possible outcomes for the Playgroup
● Ensuring that policies are kept up to date, communicated and adhered to
● Bringing extra skills into the Playgroup and making them available to the children
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
You should be:
● child-centred and have a progressive, positive view of children
● 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
● willing to sing, accept play invitations, and be playful when the moment arises
● 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
● Excellent interpersonal skills
● Strong communication skills and the capability to contribute to a positive ethos
● Ability to work independently and in a team within a childcare setting
● Well organised
● Ability to be flexible
Desirable:
● IT and administrations skills
Location: Holy Corner Community Playgroup, Edinburgh, EH10 4DD
Wage: £12.60 per hour, reviewed in line within regular organisational pay reviews
Hours: Base hours for the position are 21.5hrs with the requirement to attend meetings and other duties in addition to this
Reporting to: Playgroup Manager
The Practitioner’s overall responsibility is 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.
Playgroup operates from 8.55am to 12.20pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.55am to 11.35am on a Friday, following the school academic calendar. There are also weekly meetings and occasional events to attend, as well as in service days in line with the school calendar.
Main Duties
● Delivering front line support to children aged 2 to 5 years in play and learning
● Responding to their 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. 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
● 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, parents and carers, City of
Edinburgh Council, children, the Church staff
● Supporting the Parent Committee in their roles to gain the best possible outcomes for the Playgroup
● Ensuring that policies are kept up to date, communicated and adhered to
● Bringing extra skills into the Playgroup and making them available to the children
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
You should be:
● child-centred and have a progressive, positive view of children
● 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
● willing to sing, accept play invitations, and be playful when the moment arises
● 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
● Excellent interpersonal skills
● Strong communication skills and the capability to contribute to a positive ethos
● Ability to work independently and in a team within a childcare setting
● Well organised
● Ability to be flexible
Desirable:
● IT and administrations skills