Early Years Practitioner Role

Pre-School/Nursery Practitioner required from September 2026

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Are you passionate about working with young children with additional needs; inspiring their learning and supporting their development within a nurturing, fun and supportive environment? If so, then this opportunity may be for you!

About you:

You will be a caring person with experience of working individually and as part of a team, able to offer the care, understanding and support that young children with SEND, and others, need. You will strive to bring enthusiasm, awe and wonder to each day; recognising each child for their unique abilities and starting points; supporting their development through an inspiring curriculum, focussed on learning through play. Demonstrating patience and reassurance, you will cheerfully model positive behaviours, helping children to learn foundational skills to support their lifelong learning.  You will be Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding trained or be willing to undertake this once in post.  You will ideally be Level 3 childcare qualified, equivalent or above, and your qualification will be recognised by the DfE as full and relevant.

About the role:

We currently have a role for the right candidate to join our pre-school team. A vibrant, independent charity providing inclusive education for pre-school children and support for their families, we need caring and committed professionals who are inspired to work within our vision of providing positive beginnings for young children and families.  Based in our purpose-built premises with substantial outdoor space including extensive play area, gardens and woodland learning environment, we are looking for dedicated, qualified Nursery/Pre-School Practitioners to work in our pre-school for children aged 2-4 years. As an inclusive setting, many children have an additional need such as a diagnosed condition or developmental delay. You will, alongside our SENDCos, encourage and support children to make progress through their agreed outcomes; monitoring, assessing and reporting on their progress; working with the team to identify and provide opportunities and activities for next steps, for all children. You will be welcomed as a key person and part of a small, professional team, under the direction of the Centre and Pre-School Managers to provide high-quality education and care for young children, with opportunities to support children from birth and their families in our toddler groups.

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Day-to-day tasks:

·        Work as an effective member of an early years team delivering flexible, specialist, high-qualit yeducation and care; a child-centred service that meets the needs of young children and their families.

·        Work closely with parents to create and develop open and inclusive working partnerships which support the development of their children.

• Attend and contribute to staff meetings, take staff development opportunities and keep up to date with current childcare practice.
• Be fully involved in all activities associated with the early years provision, including observation and assessment of children, using specified measurement tools and an online learning journal.
• Work as part of a team in planning and implementing a range of activities in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage including organising and preparing activities to encompass a broad and balanced early years educational experience.
• Be flexible, creative and have the commitment to provide first class childcare.

You will need:

·        Relevant qualifications (see below)

·        A working knowledge of the emotional, physical and educational development of children, ideally with experience of meeting the needs of children with SEND.

• An empathetic, supportive and non-judgemental attitude towards children, parents/carers, staff and trainees/volunteers.
• Knowledge of child protection issues and policies, and relevant Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures.
• Be IT literate.
• The capabilities to work on your own initiative and to contribute to a committed and professional team.
• Be able to share in and enhance the vision and ethos of the charity.
• A friendly and supportive disposition with children, families, and colleagues.

In return we provide: 

·        Family friendly employer with flexibility and advantages of working within a small team in a local charity. We see you as a person, not just an employee. 

·        Inspiring training and career development within a respected local charity, with opportunities to gain further qualifications. 

·        Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 counselling, in-person therapy sessions,24hr medical, legal, housing, childcare information, online wellbeing tools and more. 

·        Opportunity to join company pension scheme. 

·        Termtime only working, with opportunities for additional project work during a small part of the school summer holidays. 

·        Free on-site car parking.  

·        Various charity worker discounts and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.

Job type: Part time, permanent.

Approximately22 hours per week over 4 days. There may be opportunities for additional hours at times, through project work for the charity and/or to support individual children based on need. Candidates will be offered the role dependent on how their experience fits with specific requirements and in discussion.

Salary: Approx. £13,047 (£21,745 FTE) per annum, at £13.30 per hour (Level 3 qualified). Please note that we are a term time setting and are paid for 38 weeks plus holiday entitlements, paid monthly across 12 months of the year.  

Required Experience:

• 2+ years working in an early years/day-care setting with children in the 0-5 age range and their families or similar experience within Early Years/KS1.

Required Education:

• Level 3 Diploma/Certificate in early years/childcare or equivalent. Your qualification must appear on the DfE recognised qualifications list as full and relevant.
• In exceptional circumstances, a Level 2 qualification will be considered with a willingness to work towards Level 3.

Cirencester Opportunity Group is a charity committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and their families. We expect all staff to share this commitment, to understand and to adhere to the principles of safeguarding children. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Please note CVs on their own will not be accepted. In line with Safer Recruitment, we require all candidates to complete the application form and submit with a covering letter, briefly outlining why you are interested in and feel you would be suitable for the post.

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Download the Application form, person specification and role description here.

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Please submit your completed application form and covering letter to cog@opportunity-group.co.uk.

Closing date for applications: Midday Friday 28 August. We will review applications, interview, and appoint on a rolling basis, which could happen before the closing date.

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Use the form below if you have any questions or require further information but please note that we work during term time, so your messages may not be read or responded to daily during school holidays.

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