Early Learning and Childcare Opportunities
Thinking about a career in early learning and childcare?
Early learning and childcare has changed and developed over the last few years. The increase in funded hours has led to an increase in the number of practitioners we need, as well as a new career path. You can start your career as a trainee, and then as you get more experience move into more senior posts. All through your career you can study whilst you work, including right up to degree level.
- Do you enjoy being with young children and are you curious about their interests and development?
- Are you curious, enthusiastic, imaginative and creative?
- Do you like doing a busy job, where every day is different and you will be ‘on the go’?
- Do you like exploring the outdoors (in all weathers!)?
- Do you like working in a team and sharing ideas with others?
- Do you like learning all the time, and finding out new things?
- Are you interested in a career where you can work and study at the same time?
- Do you want a career where you can do qualifications while you work, right up to degree level?
If so, then this is the career for you!
The early years service run a wide range of training and development opportunities, so you will have lots of time to meet practitioners from other settings, find out about practice and develop your own skills and knowledge.
We have a variety of models- our settings range from term time settings, which are open to children for the school day, to year round and extended day settings. We look after children from 0-5, with the majority of children aged 3-5. Practitioners enjoy meeting parents, and settings often run sessions for parents, including stay and play sessions, or ‘learn with your child’ sessions.
Every day is different in early years! We play inside and outside, build with blocks, enjoy digging in sand, light fires, climb trees, do woodwork, sing songs and tell stories. If you like being active and engaged, this is the job for you!
Here are some examples of the types of roles we may have available
£22341 (including distance islands allowance)
As an early years practitioner in training, you will be ‘learning on the job’. Whilst you are working, you will also complete an SVQ 3 qualification, and after your year long traineeship, will be able to apply for qualified practitioner posts. We are keen to take trainees of all ages, including people who have decide to change career, and also school leavers. Depending on your age, you will be able to be a modern apprentice trainee.
To be a trainee you will: Really enjoy working with young children and be curious about their development and learning. Have some experience of working with young children through volunteering, baby sitting, or work experience. Have a good standard of literacy and numeracy at SCQF level 4.
£23,363 (unqualified) to £24,641 – £26,429 (qualified) (including distant islands allowance)
As an early years support worker, you will play a key role in supporting the nursery team. You will often be involved at meal times, supporting children to choose and eat their food and will be involved in care routines. You will also spend time playing with children and supporting their development. Support workers often go on to gain a practitioner qualification, and move into practitioner posts when they have more experience.
To be a support worker you will: Really enjoy working with young children and be curious about their development and learning. Have some experience of working with young children through volunteering, baby sitting, or having your own children. Have a good standard of literacy and numeracy at SCQF level 4. Be willing to work towards a support worker qualification, eg an NQ, or be supported to work towards a practitioner qualification SVQ3 Social Services (Children & Young People)
£24,641 (unqualified) / £27,086 – £29,039 (qualified) (including distant islands allowance)
As an early years practitioner, you will be a key part of the nursery team and will be involved in planning the learning for the children in the nursery. You will be a keyworker for a group of children- the special adult that children and their parents will come to each day. Practitioners are highly skilled, qualified members of staff. We do encourage people with the right experience to join us as unqualified practitioners, and we will support you to gain a practice qualification whilst working.
To be a practitioner you will: Really enjoy working with young children and be curious about their development and learning. Work well in a team and really enjoy working with parents/carers. Have experience of working with young children in an early learning and childcare setting or other relevant experience. Have a good standard of literacy and numeracy and ideally have a practitioner qualification (eg HNC Childhood Practice or SVQ 3 Social Services (Children & Young People) or be prepared to work towards one.
£29,513 – £32,177 (including distant islands allowance)
Early years lead practitioners are qualified and experienced practitioners who take on a little more responsibility in the setting. an early years lead practitioner, you will take responsibility for planning for the children in the nursery and will work closely with the early learning and childcare manager. You will also be a keyworker for a group of children, and may mentor and support less experienced staff, for example, trainees or students.
To be a lead practitioner you will: Have lots of experience of working with young children in an early learning and childcare setting. Work well in a team and really enjoy working with children, parents and carers. Be confident to develop practice with the support of the manager. Have a good standard of literacy and numeracy and have a practitioner qualification (eg HNC Childhood Practice or SVQ 3 Social Services (Children & Young People).
Early years senior practitioner £29,513 – £32,177 (without HND) £32,561-£35,626 (with HND) (including distant islands allowance)
Being a senior is a busy and skilled role. As an early years senior practitioner in a larger nursery, you will work closely with the manager to develop the practice and quality in the nursery and lead the team. At times you will deputise for the manager. You will be an experienced practitioner who understands how young children learn and can support others to develop practice.
To be a senior practitioner you will: Have lots of experience of working with young children in an early learning and childcare setting. Enjoy supporting other practitioners and students to develop their practice. Have a practitioner qualification (eg HNC Childhood Practice or SVQ 3 Social Services (Children & Young People) and have or be working towards the HND level of a practice degree (BA in Childhood Practice).
£40,608 – £43,054 (with degree) (including distant islands allowance)
As a manager, you will have overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the nursery, developing practice and quality. You will lead a large practitioner team and manage all aspects of staffing.
To be a manager you will: Have extensive of experience of working with young children in an early learning and childcare setting. Have experience of supporting practice in the early years. Have led developments in the nursery. Have a practitioner qualification (eg HNC Childhood Practice or SVQ 3 Social Services (Children & Young People) and have or be working towards a BA in Childhood Practice.