Early Year Practitioner

Why join us?

Woodpecker Hall Academy is a wonderful primary school and nursery, and a proud member of North Star Community Trust, a family of schools united by the belief that we are Stronger Together. The Trust plays a vital role in the communities it serves, creating real, lasting change through education, opportunity and support. At Woodpecker Hall the children are at the heart of everything we do. We believe every child deserves an excellent education in a safe, nurturing environment with staff who care deeply and go above and beyond. Our children consistently achieve some of the best results in the borough, with progress and attainment well above national averages. We are proud to be ranked in the top 5% of schools nationally and to have received a national Silver Award for Primary School of the Year.

About the role

Join our nursery team as an Early Years Practitioner, where you will play a vital role in creating a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment in which every child can thrive. Working closely with the EYFS and leadership team, you will support the day-to-day running of the nursery, delivering high-quality care, learning and development through an engaging Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.

As a Key Person, you will build strong, positive relationships with children and their families, supporting each child's individual learning journey and promoting their wellbeing, confidence and development. You will work collaboratively with colleagues, parents and external professionals to ensure every child receives the support they need to reach their full potential.

This is an exciting opportunity for a caring, enthusiastic and committed practitioner who is passionate about early years education and dedicated to providing outstanding experiences for young children. You will also play an important role in maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding, health and safety, and regulatory compliance, helping to create a positive, inclusive and stimulating environment where children can learn, grow and flourish.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Practitioner who is passionate about giving young children the very best start in life. You will have a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and be committed to creating a safe, inclusive and stimulating environment where every child feels valued, supported and inspired to learn.

The successful candidate will be an excellent team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to build positive relationships with children, parents, colleagues and external professionals. You will be confident in observing and assessing children's development, planning engaging learning experiences and adapting activities to meet the individual needs of every child, including those with SEND or additional needs.

You will be organised, reliable and able to manage daily routines while maintaining accurate records and contributing to high-quality teaching and learning. A strong commitment to safeguarding, health and safety, and promoting children's wellbeing is essential, together with the ability to remain calm, patient and nurturing in a busy nursery environment.

We are seeking someone who is reflective in their practice, eager to develop professionally and committed to working collaboratively to continually improve outcomes for children. Above all, you will share our values of kindness, inclusion and excellence, ensuring every child is encouraged to develop confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

What we offer

We are committed to being a supportive, caring and rewarding place to work and learn, and to being an employer of choice. A full overview of our offer, including staff benefits, our People Plan and what our staff say about working with us, can be found in the supporting documents attached.

Apply Now

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview before the closing date. Early applications are strongly encouraged, as the vacancy may close early. Refer to our Application Process supporting document for more information. We do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted via My New Term.

Safeguarding statement

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. As part of our recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to undergo safer recruitment checks, including enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and any other pre-employment checks relevant to their role.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive working culture that reflects our Trust's ethos of being ‘Stronger Together.’ The Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all. It aims to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

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