Play-Based Learning Practitioner

Do you love story time, messy play, building towers, and helping little learners discover the world?

Protocol Education is working with a number of fantastic nurseries and early years settings across BS6 who are looking for caring, energetic, and reliable Nursery and Early Years Support Staff to join their teams.

Whether you're an experienced Nursery Practitioner, a Learning Support Assistant, or simply someone with a passion for helping children thrive, we'd love to hear from you.

Every day is different in early years. One moment you'll be helping a child count to ten for the first time, the next you'll be exploring the outdoors, leading a singalong, or celebrating a child's biggest achievement yet... putting on their coat independently!

What You'll Be Doing

As part of a friendly and supportive early years team, you'll:

Support children aged 2-5 in their learning and development

Encourage confidence, independence, and social skills through play

Help develop early communication, phonics, and number awareness

Work with children one-to-one and in small groups

Build positive relationships that help children feel safe and secure

Celebrate achievements, no matter how big or small

Support children with additional needs, including SEND

Get involved in outdoor adventures, creative activities, and everyday nursery fun

Why You'll Love Working with Protocol Education

✅ Choose when and where you work

✅ Weekly pay

✅ Flexible short-term and long-term opportunities

✅ Local nurseries and schools across Bristol

✅ Dedicated consultants who genuinely care about finding the right fit for you

✅ Free CPD and training opportunities

✅ Easy-to-use booking system

✅ £50 PAYE referral bonus when you recommend a friend

Who We're Looking For

We're searching for people who are:

• Calm, patient, and nurturing
• Enthusiastic and happy to get stuck into play
• Excellent at building trust with young children
• Supportive, kind, and encouraging
• Comfortable supporting children from a range of backgrounds and abilities
• Passionate about helping children develop confidence and thrive

Experience in nurseries, schools, childcare, youth work, family support, or similar settings is welcomed, but personality and enthusiasm are just as important.

About the Settings

You'll be working in welcoming, inclusive nurseries where curiosity is encouraged, achievements are celebrated, and every child is supported to become the very best version of themselves.

These settings understand that happy staff create happy children and pride themselves on their supportive teams and positive environments.

✅ What We Need to Clear You

• Passport or proof of right to work in the UK
• Two proofs of address
• CV covering the last 10 years of work or education, with any gaps explained
• Two years of references, including childcare where applicable
• Overseas police check if you've lived abroad for 3 months or more within the last 5 years

Ready to Help Shape Young Minds?

If you're looking for a role filled with laughter, learning, creativity, and rewarding moments, this could be the perfect opportunity.

Apply today and start your next adventure helping Bristol's youngest learners grow, explore, and shine! ✨

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.

Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.

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