2 - 3 Month Contract with a local Authority Job Purpose To provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that supports the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development of young children. The Early Childhood Practitioner collaborates with families and colleagues to deliver high-quality early years education and care, guided by developmental best practices and regulatory standards. This role is critical in fostering a lifelong love of learning and supporting children to reach their full potential. Key Duties/Accountabilities Contribute to the development and maintenance of developmentally appropriate, child-centred, play-based provision for young children which provides the nurturing environment needed to promote children’s emotional stability, independence, autonomy and creativity. Foster positive relationships and close working links with the range of professionals throughout the early childhood structure in order to promote access to wider integrated services for all families and children and support a multi-disciplinary team around the child and family approach. This includes completing and using Early Help Assessments (EHA) and participating in Team around the Child (TAC) meetings where appropriate. Develop and maintain a partnership with parents that value their contributions and involves them in their child’s education, including support for the home learning environment. Providing each child with appropriate care throughout the child’s time in the outreach services, in partnership with their parent/carers: Develop a strong relationship with each child and parent. Help each child to become familiar with and confident in the setting. Build relationships with parents, ensuring there are regular opportunities to share information on the child’s development at home and in the stay and plays. Support children’s development through observation, assessment and planning in partnership with parents/carers and other colleagues. Develop and maintain appropriate positive behaviour strategies with children. Attend and participate in relevant CPD, share the knowledge and ideas gained with colleagues in the setting and lead on further development in this area if required. Also willing to keep up to date with best early years practice, local and national policy. Essential Experience Required. Substantial post qualifying experience of working with children under 5 in an early year setting. Secure knowledge of early childhood development and the importance of early identification and intervention including the range of factors that can inhibit children’s learning and development. Essential Qualifications Required Minimum Level 3 qualification in childcare/early years practice with suitable practice placements (e.g. NNEB Certificate, NVQ Level 3 - Childcare/Early Years Care, BTEC Nationals in Childhood Studies or equivalent). Educated to at least GCSE or equivalent with C or above in English language. Additional information to note This role is 28 working hours per week. The role closes on 18/08/25