Early Years Assistant

Early Years Assistant (Little Crofters)
Starting Sept 2026

Our Early Years classes are Little Crofters ‘Butterflies’, Little Crofters ‘Pre\-school’ and Reception. This role is based in Little Crofters. They begin their learning journey in ‘Butterflies’ where they are nurtured and supported in the transition from home to school, attending a minimum of two morning sessions.

Our spacious, open\-plan classroom with free\-flow access to our adjacent all\-weather outdoor area ensures children have exciting learning opportunities. Group leaders in Pre\-school ensure each child makes firm foundations in their individual learning adventure.

The Croft Preparatory School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be prepared to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Report to: Early Years Manager

Full\-time hours: 35 per week, 8\.15 – 4\.00pm, Monday to Friday, during term time

Qualifications/Training: Level 3 qualification Childcare and Education (see government approved qualifications for Early Years).

Salary: Competitive. Salary will be discussed with applicant.

Benefits: Company pension (8%), Death in Service, Holidays to be taken during non\-term time, Free on\-site parking, Cooked lunch on the school premises (during term time)

Equal Opportunities: The school is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Application deadline: Mon 6 July 2026

Expected start date: 7 Sept 2026

Little Crofters: Butterflies

‘Butterflies’ is the name given to the group of children in the academic year of their 3rd birthday. Children attend a minimum of two morning sessions per week.

Children have the opportunity to engage in a variety of exciting learning activities across both the indoor and outdoor environments. Play is very important at this stage of the child’s development. It supports them to form relationships and encourages co\-operation and interaction. It also demands concentration, perseverance, mental and physical effort. Children also enjoy adult\-directed activities such as story time, Music, PE and Library.

JOB PURPOSE:

To support the Key Group Leader in delivering effective teaching and learning, promoting the intellectual, social and emotional development of children.

Key Results Areas and Main Duties

· Assist children with activities set by the Early Years Key Group Leaders, helping them to stay focused on task, and interacting with them to encourage them to develop their skills by offering consistent support appropriate to their individual needs

· Contribute to the monitoring and recording of progress, by observing and evaluating children’s performance during activities, feeding information back to the Early Years Key Group Leaders and recording, as required

· Promote positive behaviour, in line with School policies and through the use of praise and encouragement

· Support and encourage children to work co\-operatively and appropriately with others, whilst also developing and promoting independence

· Assist the Early Years Key Group Leaders in preparing and maintaining an effective learning environment, by preparing materials and resources, ensuring that equipment is used safely and appropriately, and by displaying the children’s work in an imaginative and attractive manner

· Interact with the children, ensuring that they are actively engaged and involved in play, and that their health, safety and general well being is being taken care of

· Support the Early Years Key Group Leaders by contributing positively to planning, using ICT and other resources creatively, and ensuring that learning objectives and strategies are delivered effectively

· Provide appropriate personal care (including supporting toilet training) and comfort to the children, to ensure that their emotional needs are met, whilst at all times ensuring that both safeguarding and confidentiality requirements are met

· Take part in school events and activities, as required

· Liaise with colleagues and work flexibly to contribute to the overall ethos and aims of the School

Supporting the wider work of the school

· Comply with school policies and procedures related to child protection and safeguarding, health and safety, equal opportunities, and whistle blowing

· Contribute to the school’s improvement planning and self\-evaluation processes, through monitoring the impact of additional interventions and in\-class support

Working with colleagues

· Support and maintain collaborative, productive working relationships with school staff and professionals from external agencies

· Liaise with pupils, their parents/carers, teachers and practitioners from external agencies, to support pupils’ learning and well\-being

· Take responsibility in developing your own continuing professional development

This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the employee may be required to perform duties outside of this brief as is operationally required and at the discretion of the Early Years Manager or Headmaster.

*All Croft employees are expected to support the aims and ethos of the school through building and maintaining positive and constructive relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues in order to maximise pupils’ development. Staff are expected to participate fully in school life including, but not limited to, attending meetings, training and development sessions and working collaboratively and cooperatively for the benefit of pupils.*

Benefits:

• Company events


• Company pension


• Discounted or free food


• Free parking


• Health \& wellbeing programme


• On\-site parking

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