6c Wildflower Way, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT12 6TA United Kingdom
Join Early Years – the organisation for young children as Toybox Project Worker
Location: Belfast
Base: Early Years Headquarters, Belfast, BT12 6TA
Hours: 25 hours per week
Tenure: Fixed Term Maternity Cover until 31 March 2026 (with possibility of extension)
Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in early childhood education? Do you believe in the power of play to unlock potential? Be part of our team and help shape the futures of children by fostering growth and learning through purposeful opportunities.
At Early Years, we are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.
In return, Early Years provides a comprehensive rewards package, including a competitive salary, 36 days of annual leave (pro-rata), inclusive of statutory/public holidays, a contributory pension scheme, options to purchase additional leave, and access to healthcare schemes.
The role
As Toybox Project Worker you will work with the Project Manager, Area Manager and the Toybox team to improve the early years’ development and educational opportunities for Traveller and Roma children aged 0-4. This will involve a ‘hands on’ approach taking a mobile play resource to families (whether living on Traveller sites, at the roadside or in settled accommodation) and working with them to encourage their child’s development through play.
The postholder will work in partnership with families to promote and facilitate positive parenting and the enhancement of the role of parents as ‘first educators’.
You will innovatively support and extend play experiences to ensure early outcomes are achieved.
We're looking for people who:
At the closing date have:
At the closing date applicants, must have:
* An NVQ Level III in Early Years Care and Education or equivalent.
* Two years previous experience working with young children in a variety of settings, including community development settings.
* A full driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role. We will consider reasonable adjustments for candidates who are unable to meet this requirement due to a disability.
* BA in Early Years Childhood Studies or equivalent.
* Experience working with or in support of Traveller, Roma or ethnic minority groups or other experience that brings understanding of diversity and inclusion issues.
An information pack containing the job description and personnel specification is available by clicking here .
Please note, the information pack will not be available after the job posting closes therefore you may want to download it.
As part of the application process, you will need to demonstrate how you meet the criteria as outlined above and, on the personnel specification, and provide a copy of your CV. Shortlisting will be completed based on the information contained with the application form, therefore it is important to clearly outline how you meet the criteria. Please note that your CV will only be used to support your application in assessing employment history.
Once you begin the application, it must be completed in one session, as there is no option to save and return to it later.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 1 September 2025.
For shortlisted applicants it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Tuesday 16 September 2025.
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to six months for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via email.
Should you need to contact us, please use the following methods:
Email: monitoringofficer@early-years.org
Phone: 028 9038 7905
Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.
Location Belfast
Salary NJC Scale 5, Point 12-17 (£27,711-£30,060) per annum pro rata
Contact email monitoringofficer@early-years.org Contact phone 028 9038 7905
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