Early Years Practitioner - Level 3
| Posting date: | 13 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 March 2026 |
| Location: | Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 1LU |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 0f95d723-f27a-4c79-81b5-5faec240ac30 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
CORE DUTIES
To provide high quality care and education for children within the nursery in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework.
The practitioner will support children’s learning, development and wellbeing through purposeful play, strong adult interaction and carefully planned learning environments.
The Early Years Practitioner will work as part of a team to ensure all children feel safe, valued and supported, enabling them to develop the confidence, language, independence and curiosity required for future learning.
Teaching and Supporting Learning
• Support the delivery of high quality early years provision in line with the EYFS framework.
• Provide stimulating learning experiences through play, exploration and structured adult led activities.
• Promote children’s language development through meaningful interaction, modelling vocabulary and sustained shared thinking.
• Support children’s development across the seven areas of learning, with particular focus on communication and language, personal development and early mathematics.
• Create an inclusive learning environment where all children can participate and succeed.
Observation, Assessment and Planning
• Observe children’s learning and development regularly in order to understand their interests, strengths and next steps.
• Contribute to the assessment of children’s progress using recognised early years assessment approaches.
• Work with colleagues to plan learning experiences that build on children’s development and prior learning.
• Maintain accurate and meaningful records of children’s development in line with school expectations.
• Identify children who may require additional support and work with senior staff to ensure appropriate intervention.
The Key Person Role
• Act as a key person for a group of children, building secure relationships with them and their families.
• Monitor the wellbeing, development and progress of key children.
• Share information with parents and carers about children’s development and learning.
• Support smooth transitions into nursery and from nursery into Reception
Creating an Enabling Environment
• Contribute to the organisation of a stimulating, safe and well resourced learning environment.
• Ensure resources promote curiosity, creativity and independence.
• Maintain high expectations for behaviour and encourage positive social interactions.
• Promote children’s independence, self care and confidence.
Safeguarding and Welfare
• Ensure children’s health, safety and wellbeing are prioritised at all times.
• Follow all safeguarding procedures in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and school policy.
• Maintain high standards of supervision and risk awareness.
• Promote children’s physical wellbeing through safe routines, hygiene and outdoor learning opportunities.
What the school offers its staff
About our Nursery
Our nursery is a 60-place provision offering 30 morning and 30 afternoon places for pre-school children. Demand for places is consistently high and the setting remains at full capacity.
The nursery forms a vital part of the school community and lays the foundations for children’s learning, communication and social development. Children experience a carefully planned environment that blends structured teaching with purposeful play, ensuring strong early development in language, early mathematics, creativity and personal independence.
The Role
We are seeking a passionate and committed Early Years Practitioner who believes deeply in the potential of every child.
You will work as part of a highly supportive Early Years team to provide a nurturing, stimulating and safe environment where children can explore, learn and develop confidence. The role involves supporting children’s learning through purposeful play, modelling language and interaction, and contributing to the assessment and development of each child.
You will play an important role in building positive relationships with children, families and colleagues, ensuring that every child feels safe, valued and inspired to learn.
We are seeking a passionate and committed Early Years Practitioner who believes deeply in the potential of every child.
You will work as part of a highly supportive Early Years team to provide a nurturing, stimulating and safe environment where children can explore, learn and develop confidence. The role involves supporting children’s learning through purposeful play, modelling language and interaction, and contributing to the assessment and development of each child.
You will play an important role in building positive relationships with children, families and colleagues, ensuring that every child feels safe, valued and inspired to learn.
Great schools are built by great teams. Leaders at St Mary’s are visible, supportive and committed to developing staff.
Early Years practitioners benefit from:
• High quality professional development
• Opportunities to progress within the St Mary’s Partnership of Schools
• Support from experienced Early Years leaders
• Training that strengthens practice in language development, early literacy and child development
• Time off for important days to you! Wellbeing support to help you maintain your wellness.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
CORE DUTIES
To provide high quality care and education for children within the nursery in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework.
The practitioner will support children’s learning, development and wellbeing through purposeful play, strong adult interaction and carefully planned learning environments.
The Early Years Practitioner will work as part of a team to ensure all children feel safe, valued and supported, enabling them to develop the confidence, language, independence and curiosity required for future learning.
Teaching and Supporting Learning
• Support the delivery of high quality early years provision in line with the EYFS framework.
• Provide stimulating learning experiences through play, exploration and structured adult led activities.
• Promote children’s language development through meaningful interaction, modelling vocabulary and sustained shared thinking.
• Support children’s development across the seven areas of learning, with particular focus on communication and language, personal development and early mathematics.
• Create an inclusive learning environment where all children can participate and succeed.
Observation, Assessment and Planning
• Observe children’s learning and development regularly in order to understand their interests, strengths and next steps.
• Contribute to the assessment of children’s progress using recognised early years assessment approaches.
• Work with colleagues to plan learning experiences that build on children’s development and prior learning.
• Maintain accurate and meaningful records of children’s development in line with school expectations.
• Identify children who may require additional support and work with senior staff to ensure appropriate intervention.
The Key Person Role
• Act as a key person for a group of children, building secure relationships with them and their families.
• Monitor the wellbeing, development and progress of key children.
• Share information with parents and carers about children’s development and learning.
• Support smooth transitions into nursery and from nursery into Reception
Creating an Enabling Environment
• Contribute to the organisation of a stimulating, safe and well resourced learning environment.
• Ensure resources promote curiosity, creativity and independence.
• Maintain high expectations for behaviour and encourage positive social interactions.
• Promote children’s independence, self care and confidence.
Safeguarding and Welfare
• Ensure children’s health, safety and wellbeing are prioritised at all times.
• Follow all safeguarding procedures in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and school policy.
• Maintain high standards of supervision and risk awareness.
• Promote children’s physical wellbeing through safe routines, hygiene and outdoor learning opportunities.
What the school offers its staff
About our Nursery
Our nursery is a 60-place provision offering 30 morning and 30 afternoon places for pre-school children. Demand for places is consistently high and the setting remains at full capacity.
The nursery forms a vital part of the school community and lays the foundations for children’s learning, communication and social development. Children experience a carefully planned environment that blends structured teaching with purposeful play, ensuring strong early development in language, early mathematics, creativity and personal independence.
The Role
We are seeking a passionate and committed Early Years Practitioner who believes deeply in the potential of every child.
You will work as part of a highly supportive Early Years team to provide a nurturing, stimulating and safe environment where children can explore, learn and develop confidence. The role involves supporting children’s learning through purposeful play, modelling language and interaction, and contributing to the assessment and development of each child.
You will play an important role in building positive relationships with children, families and colleagues, ensuring that every child feels safe, valued and inspired to learn.
We are seeking a passionate and committed Early Years Practitioner who believes deeply in the potential of every child.
You will work as part of a highly supportive Early Years team to provide a nurturing, stimulating and safe environment where children can explore, learn and develop confidence. The role involves supporting children’s learning through purposeful play, modelling language and interaction, and contributing to the assessment and development of each child.
You will play an important role in building positive relationships with children, families and colleagues, ensuring that every child feels safe, valued and inspired to learn.
Great schools are built by great teams. Leaders at St Mary’s are visible, supportive and committed to developing staff.
Early Years practitioners benefit from:
• High quality professional development
• Opportunities to progress within the St Mary’s Partnership of Schools
• Support from experienced Early Years leaders
• Training that strengthens practice in language development, early literacy and child development
• Time off for important days to you! Wellbeing support to help you maintain your wellness.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.