Job Title: Senior Early Years Practitioner
Location: Barnsley (S72 area)
Salary: £18.35 per hour
Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 8:15am – 4:15pm
Contract: Temporary
Overview
We are seeking dedicated and experienced Senior Early Years Practitioners to lead the day-to-day management of our early years provision. This role is key to creating a safe, stimulating, and nurturing learning environment while ensuring high standards of practice, compliance, and care.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the daily practice within the day care room(s), modelling and promoting high-quality childcare and professionalism, while supporting staff development
* Oversee the planning and delivery of engaging play and educational activities based on children’s interests, supporting individual learning and development
* Observe and assess children regularly to ensure their progress and wellbeing
* Supervise children during play (indoor and outdoor) and mealtimes, providing personal care while encouraging independence
* Support the delivery of inclusive services for children and families, respecting diverse cultural backgrounds and individual needs
* Assist in supervising and supporting a team, providing guidance on workloads, training, motivation, and welfare
* Ensure the environment is clean, safe, and well-maintained, identifying and addressing risks and hazards
* Implement an effective key person system, building strong partnerships with parents/carers and external agencies
* Provide advice and support to families, including handling safeguarding concerns in line with policies and procedures
* Maintain accurate records and documentation
* Contribute to self-evaluation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement of services
* Work collaboratively with internal teams and external professionals to ensure effective service delivery
* Uphold all health and safety, safeguarding, equal opportunities, and data protection requirements
Requirements
* Level 3 qualification in a relevant Early Years/Childcare discipline
* Enhanced DBS (children) on the Update Service
* Proven experience in an early years setting, ideally in a leadership or senior role
* Strong knowledge of safeguarding, EYFS framework, and childcare legislation
Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills