Early Years Practitioner
| Posting date: | 11 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26,299 to £27,824 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 June 2026 |
| Location: | Southampton, Hampshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | University of Southampton |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 3407026MT |
Summary
Join Our Team at the University of Southampton Early Years Centre
Where calm meets curiosity, and every day inspires a love of learning.
We are looking for passionate, motivated Early Years Practitioners to join our warm and dedicated team. This is more than just a role, it’s an opportunity to be part of a nurturing environment where both children and practitioners can truly thrive.
About Us
At our Early Years Centre, we create calm, curiosity-led spaces where children feel safe, secure, and excited to explore. Our environment is thoughtfully designed to support emotional wellbeing, independence, and meaningful learning experiences.
We are proud to be an active setting, making full use of our spacious sports facilities and excellent access to extra-curricular activities. From movement-based play to outdoor exploration, we embrace a dynamic approach that supports children’s physical development alongside their curiosity and creativity.
Our approach is reflective and child-centred. We continually ask “why?” ensuring every interaction, resource, and experience has purpose. By following children’s interests and offering open-ended opportunities, we extend learning through thoughtful modelling, communication, and encouragement.
The Role
As an Early Years Practitioner, you will:
Provide high-quality care and education for children at all stages of early development
Help create a calm, welcoming, and engaging environment for children and families
Support children’s learning through play, exploration, and meaningful interactions
Encourage confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning
Work collaboratively within a supportive and reflective team
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking individuals who:
Take pride in delivering exceptional care
Bring warmth, creativity, and compassion to their practice
Are enthusiastic, flexible, and motivated
Value teamwork and a shared vision for high-quality early years education
Qualifications Required
Applicants must hold one of the following (or equivalent):
NVQ Level 3 in Early Years and Education
CACHE Diploma
NNEB
A satisfactory Enhanced DBS check is required.
Why Join Us
A supportive and welcoming team environment
Opportunities to be part of an active, engaging setting with excellent facilities
A culture where your ideas are valued and your voice is heard
The chance to make a genuine difference every single day
Further Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the Early Years Centre on (023) 8059 3465 or email your CV to eycentre@soton.ac.uk
Working at the University of Southampton
By joining the University of Southampton Early Years Centre, you will become part of a professional and supportive environment where your contribution is valued. We are committed to creating a workplace where staff feel respected, encouraged, and able to develop in their roles.
Application Procedure
The application deadline is midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need assistance, call Recruitment on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Quote the advert reference on all correspondence.
You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above.
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 UK time on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.
Where calm meets curiosity, and every day inspires a love of learning.
We are looking for passionate, motivated Early Years Practitioners to join our warm and dedicated team. This is more than just a role, it’s an opportunity to be part of a nurturing environment where both children and practitioners can truly thrive.
About Us
At our Early Years Centre, we create calm, curiosity-led spaces where children feel safe, secure, and excited to explore. Our environment is thoughtfully designed to support emotional wellbeing, independence, and meaningful learning experiences.
We are proud to be an active setting, making full use of our spacious sports facilities and excellent access to extra-curricular activities. From movement-based play to outdoor exploration, we embrace a dynamic approach that supports children’s physical development alongside their curiosity and creativity.
Our approach is reflective and child-centred. We continually ask “why?” ensuring every interaction, resource, and experience has purpose. By following children’s interests and offering open-ended opportunities, we extend learning through thoughtful modelling, communication, and encouragement.
The Role
As an Early Years Practitioner, you will:
Provide high-quality care and education for children at all stages of early development
Help create a calm, welcoming, and engaging environment for children and families
Support children’s learning through play, exploration, and meaningful interactions
Encourage confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning
Work collaboratively within a supportive and reflective team
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking individuals who:
Take pride in delivering exceptional care
Bring warmth, creativity, and compassion to their practice
Are enthusiastic, flexible, and motivated
Value teamwork and a shared vision for high-quality early years education
Qualifications Required
Applicants must hold one of the following (or equivalent):
NVQ Level 3 in Early Years and Education
CACHE Diploma
NNEB
A satisfactory Enhanced DBS check is required.
Why Join Us
A supportive and welcoming team environment
Opportunities to be part of an active, engaging setting with excellent facilities
A culture where your ideas are valued and your voice is heard
The chance to make a genuine difference every single day
Further Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the Early Years Centre on (023) 8059 3465 or email your CV to eycentre@soton.ac.uk
Working at the University of Southampton
By joining the University of Southampton Early Years Centre, you will become part of a professional and supportive environment where your contribution is valued. We are committed to creating a workplace where staff feel respected, encouraged, and able to develop in their roles.
Application Procedure
The application deadline is midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need assistance, call Recruitment on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Quote the advert reference on all correspondence.
You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above.
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 UK time 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
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.