Job Description Post Title: Early Years Practitioner Location: Merkinch Primary School, Inverness Hours: 32 hours per week Duration: Fixed Term until 02 July 2026 Salary: £20,063 - £21,976 (Unqualified) £22,286 - £24,405 (Qualified) Salary placing will normally be at the first point of the scale. For information on working in ELC check out childcarecareersscotland.scot/ For guidance and tips on ELC roles within Highland Council click here Contact Details: Jillian Kean Tel: 01463 232962 Job Purpose: To work as an effective member of a team, delivering a flexible, high quality, early learning and child care service that meets the needs of young children and their families. Please APPLY ONLINE. The Highland Council understands that diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity and being fair and inclusive. We welcome applicants from people from all backgrounds, representative of the communities we serve and particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be under-represented in our workforce. As a disability confident employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria requirements for the post. Prior to confirming appointment, we will require successful candidates to become members of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. Short listed applicants will normally be contacted by email, unless otherwise stated. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam folder. Requirements Those employed as Early Years Practitioner (unqualified) will be required to work towards one of the above awards within an agreed timescale and will be paid on grade HC0435. Those employed as Early Years Practitioner (qualified) should hold a recognised qualification in Childcare and Education. (For example HNC/NNEB/SVQ 3) and will be paid on grade HC0535. The Early Years Practitioner is required to hold a relevant Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) registration or agree to apply to SSSC to register as a practitioner. On taking up the post, the Early Years Practitioner should register with the SSSC. If they are already registered and their employment with Highland Council means a change of employer they must inform the SSSC of any changes. Qualifications in Food Handling and First Aid would be advantageous.