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Early Years Practitioner

Job details
Posting date: 08 August 2025
Salary: £25,249 to £26,707 per year
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 05 September 2025
Location: Southampton, Hampshire
Remote working: On-site only
Company: University of Southampton
Job type: Permanent
Job reference: 3135825MT-R

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Summary

We currently have an opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join our team within the University of Southampton’s Early Years Centre, in a role which requires commitment and flexibility.

The successful candidate will be helping to deliver and run active sessions. You will be responsible for the delivery of high-quality care and education, whilst supporting all needs and stages of early development. Your focus will be to create a calm and tranquil space where both children and staff feel safe, secure and content. We want all our families to feel welcomed and at peace, knowing that their little ones are being cared for in the most nurturing and inspiring way.

As an Early Years Practitioner, together we will put the child at the centre of everything we do; always asking ourselves “why?” and reflecting on how what we are doing is benefiting the child. We reflect on our areas and resources and think about the open-ended opportunities they provide, focusing on the child’s interests. We look to extend on children’s play to support them through their learning and development, by modelling play, actions and communication.

We believe children thrive and learn best when they are happy, relaxed and having fun, encouraging a natural love of learning and curiosity.

We want our practitioners to take pride in the care they provide and help create a compassionate and kind setting for all. We can achieve this by being united and working together to create a setting that allows children, families and staff to express their own curiosity and nurturing personalities.

Applicants must have or be working towards a NVQ Level 3 in Early Years and Education/CACHE Diploma/NNEB or equivalent.

A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service clearance at Enhanced level is also required.

For an informal discussion with a member of our management team, Telephone (023) 8059 3465 or email your CV: eycentre@soton.ac.uk

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work. With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.

This role does not qualify for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship. To explore alternative UK visa options, see gov.uk.

Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

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