Flying Start Early Years Development Assistant
| Posting date: | 23 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £27,694 to £31,022 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 March 2026 |
| Location: | Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Neath Port Talbot Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | REQ05116 |
Summary
We are currently seeking an creative and motivated individual to join our team as a Flying Start early Years Development Assistant. We are a dynamic, passionate team committed to giving children the very best start in life. We work collaboratively, support each other’s strengths, and take pride in creating a positive, bilingual environment. Joining us means becoming part of a team that values wellbeing, professional development, and genuine teamwork.
As a Flying Start Early Years Development Assistant you will carry out a range of duties to lead and support the development of Welsh language and culture in the early years, and within childcare settings as well as supporting the advisory team to continue the development of high quality childcare settings within the Flying Start programme in Neath Port Talbot.
Your daily routine will support the growth and promotion of the Welsh language through the delivery of workshops, training, and mentoring for childcare staff. You will also contribute to maintaining and enhancing play environments in line with the new Early Years curriculum, and help strengthen provision in alignment with ALN Reform by;
Assisting settings to create rich bilingual play environments, ensuring Welsh is visible, accessible and naturally embedded in provision.
Supporting the development of a broad and balanced range of activities and experiences appropriate to the needs of two year olds in Flying Start settings.
Ensuring that Flying Start settings are quality assured to meet the Flying Start Guidance as outlined by the Welsh Government.
Working closely with multi-agencies and promote strategies to engage parents to participate in Flying Start.
Do you have:
A Level 5 or equivalent Early Years and Childcare qualification, as detailed on the Care Council for Wales List of Accepted Qualifications for the Early Years and Childcare Workforce in Wales, is essential for this post. Candidates currently working towards a Level 5 with considerable childcare and early years’ experience may also be considered, along with school based qualifications with adequate experience within the early years sector.
Strong Welsh language skills, with the ability to communicate confidently in both Welsh and English (spoken and written).
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt style for different audiences (practitioners, managers, families, partners).
Awareness of Flying Start childcare guidance, the Welsh in Childcare Award, and sector expectations around bilingual practice.
Understanding of the Active Offer and how to support settings to implement it meaningfully.
We would welcome those with experience in the following roles: Experience of working within the Early Years, Childcare, Education or Playwork sector.
We believe in rewarding and recognising our colleagues’ efforts and achievements. We also believe that there’s life at work and life outside of work. We want everyone to be healthy and happy and have the financial resources and support they need.
Choose to work for us and you’ll be rewarded with a range of attractive benefits and support to help you live your best life.
Hybrid working (in some roles) and flexible working schemes to improve your work life balance
Benefit from a competitive employee package with a remarkable 22.4% employer pension contribution
Enjoy a holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 32 days after 5 years’ service (not forgetting the additional 8 bank holidays too)
Access discounted gym membership with Celtic Leisure
Utilise the cycle to work scheme with up to 40% off bikes and cycling equipment
Purchase a new car through Tusker salary sacrifice scheme
Enjoy exclusive discounts at local and national retailers with the Smart Spend app through our staff wellbeing group.
If you would like to start a rewarding career with a company that values and invests in its employees and you have the necessary experience and qualifications, this could be your dream job and we would love to hear from you. For more information and to apply please visit Jobs - NPT Council
DBS requirements:
This post is subject to an enhanced with both adult & child barred list DBS disclosure
Neath Port Talbot Council is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our schools/employees are equally committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and young people/vulnerable adults and will take action to safeguard their wellbeing.
The recruitment process for this post will be underpinned by rigorous safer recruitment assessment to ensure that children and young people are protected.
Welsh Language Requirements:
Welsh Language skills are essential
Additional Information:
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have a disability and armed forces veterans. In support of employees of Tata Steel who are at risk of redundancy, or have been made redundant in 2024, Neath Port Talbot Council is offering a guaranteed interview for jobs across the Council. Please note that applicants must meet all the essential criteria, as shown in the person specification, to qualify for a guaranteed interview. If you are or going to be affected by the job losses at Tata Steel then we would welcome an application from you. Just make it known on your application form that you are currently at risk of redundancy or you have been made redundant.
At Team NPT, we all work together to serve the people, communities and businesses of Neath Port Talbot.
We are committed to providing training opportunities and the professional development of all our employees.
We look forward to welcoming you to Team NPT.
As a Flying Start Early Years Development Assistant you will carry out a range of duties to lead and support the development of Welsh language and culture in the early years, and within childcare settings as well as supporting the advisory team to continue the development of high quality childcare settings within the Flying Start programme in Neath Port Talbot.
Your daily routine will support the growth and promotion of the Welsh language through the delivery of workshops, training, and mentoring for childcare staff. You will also contribute to maintaining and enhancing play environments in line with the new Early Years curriculum, and help strengthen provision in alignment with ALN Reform by;
Assisting settings to create rich bilingual play environments, ensuring Welsh is visible, accessible and naturally embedded in provision.
Supporting the development of a broad and balanced range of activities and experiences appropriate to the needs of two year olds in Flying Start settings.
Ensuring that Flying Start settings are quality assured to meet the Flying Start Guidance as outlined by the Welsh Government.
Working closely with multi-agencies and promote strategies to engage parents to participate in Flying Start.
Do you have:
A Level 5 or equivalent Early Years and Childcare qualification, as detailed on the Care Council for Wales List of Accepted Qualifications for the Early Years and Childcare Workforce in Wales, is essential for this post. Candidates currently working towards a Level 5 with considerable childcare and early years’ experience may also be considered, along with school based qualifications with adequate experience within the early years sector.
Strong Welsh language skills, with the ability to communicate confidently in both Welsh and English (spoken and written).
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt style for different audiences (practitioners, managers, families, partners).
Awareness of Flying Start childcare guidance, the Welsh in Childcare Award, and sector expectations around bilingual practice.
Understanding of the Active Offer and how to support settings to implement it meaningfully.
We would welcome those with experience in the following roles: Experience of working within the Early Years, Childcare, Education or Playwork sector.
We believe in rewarding and recognising our colleagues’ efforts and achievements. We also believe that there’s life at work and life outside of work. We want everyone to be healthy and happy and have the financial resources and support they need.
Choose to work for us and you’ll be rewarded with a range of attractive benefits and support to help you live your best life.
Hybrid working (in some roles) and flexible working schemes to improve your work life balance
Benefit from a competitive employee package with a remarkable 22.4% employer pension contribution
Enjoy a holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing to 32 days after 5 years’ service (not forgetting the additional 8 bank holidays too)
Access discounted gym membership with Celtic Leisure
Utilise the cycle to work scheme with up to 40% off bikes and cycling equipment
Purchase a new car through Tusker salary sacrifice scheme
Enjoy exclusive discounts at local and national retailers with the Smart Spend app through our staff wellbeing group.
If you would like to start a rewarding career with a company that values and invests in its employees and you have the necessary experience and qualifications, this could be your dream job and we would love to hear from you. For more information and to apply please visit Jobs - NPT Council
DBS requirements:
This post is subject to an enhanced with both adult & child barred list DBS disclosure
Neath Port Talbot Council is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our schools/employees are equally committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and young people/vulnerable adults and will take action to safeguard their wellbeing.
The recruitment process for this post will be underpinned by rigorous safer recruitment assessment to ensure that children and young people are protected.
Welsh Language Requirements:
Welsh Language skills are essential
Additional Information:
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have a disability and armed forces veterans. In support of employees of Tata Steel who are at risk of redundancy, or have been made redundant in 2024, Neath Port Talbot Council is offering a guaranteed interview for jobs across the Council. Please note that applicants must meet all the essential criteria, as shown in the person specification, to qualify for a guaranteed interview. If you are or going to be affected by the job losses at Tata Steel then we would welcome an application from you. Just make it known on your application form that you are currently at risk of redundancy or you have been made redundant.
At Team NPT, we all work together to serve the people, communities and businesses of Neath Port Talbot.
We are committed to providing training opportunities and the professional development of all our employees.
We look forward to welcoming you to Team NPT.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About 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.