Pre School Teacher ( Early Years)

Job title : Pre School Teacher ( Early Years)

Key Responsibilities:

Teaching and Learning

• Plan and provide age-appropriate, play-based learning experiences that support the development of children aged 1–2 years.
• Provide opportunities for children to explore through sensory play, music, movement, stories, outdoor play, creative activities, and hands-on experiences.
• Follow children’s interests and use these as opportunities to extend their learning and development.
• Encourage curiosity, exploration, communication, independence, and early problem-solving skills.
• Support children’s developing language and communication through songs, rhymes, stories, conversations, and responsive interactions.
• Provide activities that promote physical development, including gross and fine motor skills.
• Introduce early mathematical and cognitive concepts naturally through play, routines, exploration, and everyday experiences.
• Support children’s social and emotional development by helping them develop relationships, confidence, self-regulation, and an awareness of others.
• Adapt activities and interactions to meet individual developmental stages, interests, abilities, and needs.

Care, Safety and Wellbeing

• Provide attentive, responsive, and nurturing care throughout the school day.
• Maintain a safe, clean, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Follow the school’s safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and wellbeing procedures at all times.
• Support children with personal care routines, including toileting/nappy changing, handwashing, meals, snacks, rest, and sleep, in accordance with school procedures.
• Observe children closely and respond appropriately to their individual emotional and physical needs.
• Promote healthy routines and positive attitudes towards food, hygiene, rest, and self-care.
• Identify and report safeguarding, health, developmental, or wellbeing concerns in line with school procedures.

Observation and Assessment

• Observe children regularly to understand their interests, needs, strengths, and developmental progress.
• Maintain accurate and meaningful records of children’s learning and development.
• Use observations to inform planning and provide appropriate next steps for individual children.
• Share relevant observations and developmental information with parents and colleagues.
• Contribute to the assessment and review of children’s progress in accordance with the school’s Early Years framework.

Relationships and Emotional Development

• Build secure, trusting relationships with each child and provide consistent emotional support.
• Help children settle into school and develop a sense of belonging.
• Respond sensitively to children’s individual personalities, routines, preferences, and emotional needs.
• Support children as they develop early independence and confidence.
• Model kindness, patience, respectful communication, and positive social behaviour.
• Help children begin to recognise and express their emotions appropriately.

Partnership with Parents and Families

• Establish positive, professional, and respectful relationships with parents and carers.
• Communicate regularly with families about children’s experiences, progress, routines, and wellbeing.
• Share information sensitively and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Work collaboratively with parents to support children’s individual development and transitions.
• Contribute to parent meetings, events, workshops, and other school activities where required.

Teamwork and Professional Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with teaching assistants, Early Years colleagues, and school leadership.
• Provide clear guidance and direction to classroom support staff when appropriate.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, planning sessions, and school activities.
• Contribute ideas and resources to improve the Early Years learning environment.
• Maintain high professional standards and contribute positively to the wider school community.
• Keep up to date with appropriate Early Years practice, child development, safeguarding, and play-based learning approaches.
• Carry out other reasonable duties related to the role as directed by the Head of Early Years.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Relevant qualification or training in Early Childhood Education, Early Years Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Experience working with children aged 1–2 years or within an Early Years setting.
• Good understanding of early childhood development and age-appropriate practice.
• Strong understanding of play-based learning.
• Warm, patient, nurturing, and responsive approach to young children.
• Good observation and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Commitment to safeguarding and child wellbeing.
• Ability to communicate professionally and respectfully with parents and colleagues.

Desirable:

• Experience in a school or nursery setting.
• Knowledge of an established Early Years curriculum or framework.
• Training in paediatric first aid, safeguarding, or other relevant Early Years qualifications.
• Experience supporting children with additional learning or developmental needs.

Key Personal Attributes

The successful candidate should be:

• Nurturing and compassionate – able to respond sensitively to the needs of very young children.
• Patient and attentive – able to observe carefully and respond to children’s individual cues.
• Playful and creative – able to turn everyday experiences into meaningful learning opportunities.
• Energetic and enthusiastic – able to actively engage young children through movement, exploration, music, and play.
• Observant and reflective – able to recognise developmental progress and identify areas where children may need additional support.
• Reliable and responsible – committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment.
• Collaborative – able to work positively with colleagues and families.
• Professional – committed to high standards of practice, confidentiality, safeguarding, and continuous development.

Success in the Role

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• Children feeling safe, secure, happy, and valued in the classroom.
• A stimulating environment where children are actively encouraged to explore and learn through play.
• Strong, respectful relationships between children, teachers, support staff, and families.
• Meaningful evidence of children’s developmental progress.
• Responsive teaching that reflects individual children's interests and needs.
• Consistent implementation of safeguarding, health, safety, and care procedures.
• A positive and collaborative contribution to the Early Years team.