Early Years Practitioner
| Posting date: | 21 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 September 2025 |
| Location: | BH4 8JF |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Blue Penguin Montessori |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Blue Penguin are currently looking for an early years practitioner to join our team, your role will include the following:
• Planning and Delivering Educational Activities: Creating and implementing age-appropriate activities that promote learning through play, exploration, and discovery. Practitioners use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework (in the UK) as a guide to ensure activities meet developmental milestones and objectives.
• Observing and Assessing Progress: Monitoring each child’s development, recording observations, and assessing their needs. Early Years Practitioners identify children’s strengths, interests, and areas requiring additional support, feeding this information into planning and reporting processes.
• Supporting Emotional and Social Development: Encouraging positive interactions, cooperation, and communication among children. Practitioners help children to share, take turns, express their feelings, and build friendships, fostering a secure and inclusive atmosphere.
• Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Environment: Maintaining a secure, clean, and welcoming space. This includes conducting regular risk assessments, following safeguarding procedures, and promoting good hygiene practices.
• Building Relationships with Families: Keeping parents and carers informed about their child’s progress, well-being, and achievements. Practitioners provide guidance and support, respond to queries, and involve families in their child’s learning journey.
• Supporting Children with Additional Needs: Identifying children who require extra help and liaising with special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs) and other professionals to develop and implement tailored support plans.
• Promoting Equality and Inclusion: Upholding an ethos of diversity, respecting all backgrounds, and creating an environment where every child feels valued and included.
• Administrative Duties: Keeping accurate records, completing reports, and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, including those related to child protection, health and safety, and data protection.
• Continuous Professional Development: Attending training sessions, workshops, and meetings to stay updated on best practice, policies, and legislation in early years education.
Required Skills and Qualities
Success as an Early Years Practitioner relies on a blend of personal attributes and professional capabilities. Essential skills and qualities include:
• Empathy and Patience: Understanding the unique needs of each child and responding with kindness and patience, particularly in challenging situations.
• Strong Communication Skills: Effectively communicating with children, colleagues, and families, adapting language and approach to suit the audience.
• Creativity and Initiative: Designing engaging and innovative activities that inspire children’s imaginations and promote a love of learning.
• Teamwork: Working collaboratively with other practitioners and professionals to ensure cohesive and consistent care.
• Observation and Assessment: Accurately observing children’s behaviour and progress, and using this insight to inform planning and support.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Remaining calm and flexible in a dynamic working environment, responding effectively to the needs of children and the demands of the setting.
• Organisation and Time Management: Managing multiple responsibilities efficiently, maintaining high standards of care, and meeting deadlines.
• Commitment to Safeguarding: Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding policies and practices, and acting promptly and appropriately to any concerns.
Qualifications and Experience:
• Relevant Qualifications: A recognised qualification in early childhood education or childcare, such as Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education, Early Years Educator qualifications, or equivalent.
• Work Experience: Practical experience gained through placements, volunteering, or employment in early years settings.
• Background Checks: A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or equivalent to ensure suitability to work with children.
• Ongoing Learning: A commitment to continuous professional development and ongoing training.
• Planning and Delivering Educational Activities: Creating and implementing age-appropriate activities that promote learning through play, exploration, and discovery. Practitioners use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework (in the UK) as a guide to ensure activities meet developmental milestones and objectives.
• Observing and Assessing Progress: Monitoring each child’s development, recording observations, and assessing their needs. Early Years Practitioners identify children’s strengths, interests, and areas requiring additional support, feeding this information into planning and reporting processes.
• Supporting Emotional and Social Development: Encouraging positive interactions, cooperation, and communication among children. Practitioners help children to share, take turns, express their feelings, and build friendships, fostering a secure and inclusive atmosphere.
• Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Environment: Maintaining a secure, clean, and welcoming space. This includes conducting regular risk assessments, following safeguarding procedures, and promoting good hygiene practices.
• Building Relationships with Families: Keeping parents and carers informed about their child’s progress, well-being, and achievements. Practitioners provide guidance and support, respond to queries, and involve families in their child’s learning journey.
• Supporting Children with Additional Needs: Identifying children who require extra help and liaising with special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs) and other professionals to develop and implement tailored support plans.
• Promoting Equality and Inclusion: Upholding an ethos of diversity, respecting all backgrounds, and creating an environment where every child feels valued and included.
• Administrative Duties: Keeping accurate records, completing reports, and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, including those related to child protection, health and safety, and data protection.
• Continuous Professional Development: Attending training sessions, workshops, and meetings to stay updated on best practice, policies, and legislation in early years education.
Required Skills and Qualities
Success as an Early Years Practitioner relies on a blend of personal attributes and professional capabilities. Essential skills and qualities include:
• Empathy and Patience: Understanding the unique needs of each child and responding with kindness and patience, particularly in challenging situations.
• Strong Communication Skills: Effectively communicating with children, colleagues, and families, adapting language and approach to suit the audience.
• Creativity and Initiative: Designing engaging and innovative activities that inspire children’s imaginations and promote a love of learning.
• Teamwork: Working collaboratively with other practitioners and professionals to ensure cohesive and consistent care.
• Observation and Assessment: Accurately observing children’s behaviour and progress, and using this insight to inform planning and support.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Remaining calm and flexible in a dynamic working environment, responding effectively to the needs of children and the demands of the setting.
• Organisation and Time Management: Managing multiple responsibilities efficiently, maintaining high standards of care, and meeting deadlines.
• Commitment to Safeguarding: Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding policies and practices, and acting promptly and appropriately to any concerns.
Qualifications and Experience:
• Relevant Qualifications: A recognised qualification in early childhood education or childcare, such as Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education, Early Years Educator qualifications, or equivalent.
• Work Experience: Practical experience gained through placements, volunteering, or employment in early years settings.
• Background Checks: A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or equivalent to ensure suitability to work with children.
• Ongoing Learning: A commitment to continuous professional development and ongoing training.