Early Years Practitioner Assistant - 32.5 hours a week
| Posting date: | 30 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £25,186 to £30,564 per year, pro rata |
| Additional salary information: | Actual salary - £18,872 (hourly rate: £13.06) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 March 2026 |
| Location: | Hightown, Southampton SO19 6AA |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Inspire Learning Partnership |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Hours: 32.5 hours
Actual Salary: £18,872 (hourly rate: £13.06)
This is a fixed term role until 31st August 2026
At Hightown Primary School and Nursery our dedicated and skilled team of practitioners champion a culture of nurture, respect, and resilience, ensuring that all children are inspired to achieve the best possible outcomes.
The role will involve working as a key person under the direction of the Nursery Manager to provide a safe, stimulating and high-quality education and care to young children. The attached job description and person specification provides further information.
Why Choose Us?
We’re part of Inspire Learning Partnership, a forward-thinking, research-led Trust that puts people first. When you join us, you’re not just taking a job — you’re joining a community where your voice is heard, your development is invested in, and your well being is genuinely prioritised.
What We Offer:
Staff well being at the core of our culture, not just in policy but in practice
Be part of a Trust that’s small enough to know you, but big enough to invest in you
A tailored induction and clear, supportive, career development pathways
A research-led culture where innovation, curiosity and brave thinking are encouraged
️ Longer holidays than maintained schools, including a 2-week October half-term
Access to high quality professional development, collaborative networks and inspiring colleagues
Competitive salary
Blue Light Card, Cycle to Work scheme, Halfords & Tredz discount
You'll be a fantastic fit if you:
✨ Hold a nationally recognised Level 2 or 3 qualification for working with children aged 3 to 5 years
Hold a minimum Level 2 Maths qualification and Level 2 English qualification (essential if you qualified after 1st September 2014)
Have Paediatric First Aid training, in date and have evidence of this, or a willingness to obtain the qualification within 3 months of starting.
️ Have experience of an Early Years environment and the Early Years Framework
Know and understand how young children learn
️ Are committed to safeguarding and supporting all pupils to thrive
Work in partnership with the key person, colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals
Come and See for Yourself.
We’d love to show you around and share what makes our school and Trust so special.
If you’re curious or ready to apply, get in touch to arrange a visit:
info.hps@ilpartnership.org
Early applications are strongly encouraged — we reserve the right to interview exceptional candidates before the closing date.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
Inspire Learning Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
An enhanced DBS check is required for all roles in regulated activity. The specific safeguarding responsibilities of this role are outlined within Part One of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.
Further details concerning our safeguarding policies and procedures, including our statement on the Rehabilitation of Offenders, can be found on the Trust website.
As part of our due diligence and in line with the recommendation made in Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Trust reserves the right to undertake online searches on shortlisted candidates. Further details about our searches can be found within our Recruitment Policy.
Actual Salary: £18,872 (hourly rate: £13.06)
This is a fixed term role until 31st August 2026
At Hightown Primary School and Nursery our dedicated and skilled team of practitioners champion a culture of nurture, respect, and resilience, ensuring that all children are inspired to achieve the best possible outcomes.
The role will involve working as a key person under the direction of the Nursery Manager to provide a safe, stimulating and high-quality education and care to young children. The attached job description and person specification provides further information.
Why Choose Us?
We’re part of Inspire Learning Partnership, a forward-thinking, research-led Trust that puts people first. When you join us, you’re not just taking a job — you’re joining a community where your voice is heard, your development is invested in, and your well being is genuinely prioritised.
What We Offer:
Staff well being at the core of our culture, not just in policy but in practice
Be part of a Trust that’s small enough to know you, but big enough to invest in you
A tailored induction and clear, supportive, career development pathways
A research-led culture where innovation, curiosity and brave thinking are encouraged
️ Longer holidays than maintained schools, including a 2-week October half-term
Access to high quality professional development, collaborative networks and inspiring colleagues
Competitive salary
Blue Light Card, Cycle to Work scheme, Halfords & Tredz discount
You'll be a fantastic fit if you:
✨ Hold a nationally recognised Level 2 or 3 qualification for working with children aged 3 to 5 years
Hold a minimum Level 2 Maths qualification and Level 2 English qualification (essential if you qualified after 1st September 2014)
Have Paediatric First Aid training, in date and have evidence of this, or a willingness to obtain the qualification within 3 months of starting.
️ Have experience of an Early Years environment and the Early Years Framework
Know and understand how young children learn
️ Are committed to safeguarding and supporting all pupils to thrive
Work in partnership with the key person, colleagues, parents and/or carers or other professionals
Come and See for Yourself.
We’d love to show you around and share what makes our school and Trust so special.
If you’re curious or ready to apply, get in touch to arrange a visit:
info.hps@ilpartnership.org
Early applications are strongly encouraged — we reserve the right to interview exceptional candidates before the closing date.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
Inspire Learning Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
An enhanced DBS check is required for all roles in regulated activity. The specific safeguarding responsibilities of this role are outlined within Part One of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.
Further details concerning our safeguarding policies and procedures, including our statement on the Rehabilitation of Offenders, can be found on the Trust website.
As part of our due diligence and in line with the recommendation made in Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Trust reserves the right to undertake online searches on shortlisted candidates. Further details about our searches can be found within our Recruitment Policy.