Early Years / Nursery Educator (ASAP Start)

Location: Redbridge, East/Outer London

School Type: Primary School & Early Years Foundation Stage (Co-educational, Ages 3–11)

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent or Long-Term Contract (Term-Time Only, 36 hours per week)

Start Date: Immediate / ASAP

A welcoming, highly regarded primary school in the London Borough of Redbridge is seeking an enthusiastic, nurturing, and skilled Nursery Practitioner / EYFS Educator to join their dedicated Early Years team immediately. Nestled in a vibrant East London community known for its excellent schools and green suburban spaces, this immediate-start post is ideal for an experienced Level 3 Early Years specialist, or an ambitious practitioner eager to advance their career in a school-based setting, who is passionate about child development, play-based learning, and giving young children the strongest possible start to their educational journey.

About the Role

Stepping into the Nursery class for an immediate start, you will play a hands-on role in delivering an enriching, child-led Early Years curriculum. Working closely with the EYFS Lead, Nursery Teacher, and support staff, you will foster a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment where 3- and 4-year-olds can explore, communicate, and grow. You will act as a Key Person for a group of children, tracking their developmental milestones, supporting personal, social, and emotional growth, and preparing them seamlessly for Reception.

• Environment: A modern, well-resourced primary school campus featuring expansive indoor/outdoor early years play areas, sensory spaces, messy play zones, and interactive learning tech

• Culture: A warm, collaborative, and child-centered environment focused on positive relationships, active play, trauma-informed early intervention, and strong partnership with parents

Key Responsibilities

• Key Person & Developmental Tracking: Serve as a dedicated Key Person for a group of nursery children, carrying out regular observations, assessments, and developmental tracking using the EYFS framework (e.g., via digital learning journals such as Tapestry).

• Engaging Learning Provision: Plan and facilitate creative, play-based indoor and outdoor activities that promote communication, language, physical development, and foundational early literacy and numeracy skills.

• Childcare & Personal Care: Provide compassionate, high-quality physical and emotional care, assisting with personal hygiene, self-regulation, mealtimes, and routines to build confidence and independence.

• Parental Engagement: Build strong, open relationships with parents and carers, providing daily handovers, developmental updates, and guidance to support home learning.

• Safeguarding & Safety: Enforce strict safeguarding protocols, perform routine safety and hygiene checks across nursery spaces, and maintain COSHH/first aid standards to ensure a safe learning environment.

Requirements

• Full and relevant Level 3 Qualification in Early Years / Childcare (e.g., NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development, NNEB, Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator) or equivalent.

• Demonstrable experience working as a Nursery Practitioner, EYFS Assistant, or Early Years Educator within a nursery school, pre-school, or primary school setting.

• Sound working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework, child protection procedures (KCSIE), and early child development principles.

• Paediatric First Aid certification and Food Hygiene training (highly desirable, or willingness to complete immediately upon appointment).

• Energetic, empathetic, and communicative nature with a genuine passion for early childhood education and team collaboration.

Salary & Benefits

• Pay Scale: Outer London Support Staff Scale (commensurate with qualifications and EYFS experience).

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), term-time working pattern providing excellent work-life balance, funded continuous professional development (CPD) in early literacy/phonics, and access to staff health and wellbeing benefits.

How to Apply

If you are an energetic Early Years specialist ready to make an immediate impact and nurture young minds at a supportive primary school in Redbridge, we encourage you to apply right away. Please submit your CV and completed application form for immediate consideration.