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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage and inspire young children through creative learning activities.
- Company: Join Sunshine Corner Nursery, part of the supportive Early Years Alliance family.
- Benefits: Enjoy 100% childcare discount, extensive training, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while growing your career in a friendly environment.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed, just a passion for working with children.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for progression and a dedicated mental health first aider.
About The Role
We have a fantastic opportunity for an Early Years Assistant to join our team at Sunshine Corner Nursery in Canterbury.
We are looking for an Early Years Assistant who will offer our children high quality inclusive early years education and care.
We take great pride in being a friendly, inclusive setting that puts children and their families at the heart of our practice and provide excellent promotion and progression opportunities for our staff team.
As an Early Years Assistant, you do not need to be qualified, however we will encourage and support you to obtain your early years qualification.
Working in the early years really is one of the best decisions you will ever make, and we cannot wait to be part of your career journey!
What we offer:
We are proud to be part of the Early Years Alliance family of early years settings. Founded over 60 years ago, the Alliance is an educational charity dedicated to supporting the delivery of quality early years education and care to children and families.
The Alliance prides itself on being a supportive workplace and offers significant benefits for our team members including:
- 100%discount on childcare and early education places (applicable to staff working in our early years settings)
- Extensive training and career progression planning, including access to our Learning Management System (LMS)
- The Alliance has invested in FAMLY reducing paperwork and giving you more time to focus on the children.
- A generous workplace pension scheme
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, with additional annual leave for long service.
- Birthday leave so you can have a day off for your birthday dedicated to you and your well being
- Enhanced sickness pay and paid bereavement leave
- A Recruitment Referral Payment Scheme, giving you an introductory payment of up to £300 if someone you have referred to the Alliance takes up a role in the charity.
- Access to our Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which includes 24/7 helpline access, dedicated managers helpline, confidential counselling sessions delivered by accredited specialists, legal, debt and life management advice, discounts, and wellbeing content plus resources.
- Savings of up to 25% on O2 Refresh Airtime Plan on any new phone or tablets
- A dedicated mental health First aider to support your mental well being
Job purpose:
As the Early Years Assistant, you will:
- provide creative and engaging learning opportunities for children.
- be a proactive member of the team, providing a safe, stimulating, and inclusive environment
- To support the Nursery Management team in delivering high quality care following policies and procedures.
Requirements:
- Previous experience with young children, a friendly, flexible approach.
- Willingness to undertake training leading to or working towards a recognised childcare qualification.
- You will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check, if your current certificate is not subscribed to the update service
For the full of duties and the requirements, please download the job description which accompanies this advert.
Hours per week: 30
Weeks per year: 52
Interview date:Friday 6th February 2026
About The Service
The Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and equal opportunities in employment. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedures to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding and equal opportunities across the whole organisation.
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Early Years Assistant employer: Early Years Alliance
Contact Detail:
Early Years Alliance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Understanding the principles and learning goals will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview and show that you're committed to providing high-quality early years education.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the local community and network with other early years professionals. Attend workshops or events related to early childhood education in Canterbury, as this can provide valuable insights and connections that may benefit your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your approach to creating a safe and inclusive environment for children. Think of specific examples from your past experiences, even if they are informal, that highlight your ability to engage and inspire young learners.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Sunshine Corner Nursery and the Early Years Alliance. Understanding their values and mission will allow you to tailor your responses during the interview, showing that you align with their commitment to quality care and education.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Early Years Assistant position. Highlight key skills and experiences that align with what the nursery is looking for.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your experience with young children and any relevant skills. Emphasise your friendly and flexible approach, as well as any previous roles that demonstrate your ability to create engaging learning opportunities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for early years education. Mention why you want to work at Sunshine Corner Nursery and how you can contribute to their inclusive environment. Be sure to express your willingness to undertake training for a recognised childcare qualification.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are important in a role working with children.
How to prepare for a job interview at Early Years Alliance
✨Show Your Passion for Early Years Education
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working with young children. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your love for nurturing and educating kids, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Creativity
Since the role involves providing creative and engaging learning opportunities, be prepared to discuss or even demonstrate some fun activities or games you would implement in the nursery. This shows your proactive approach and ability to inspire creativity.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
As a member of the nursery team, collaboration is key. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively in a team setting, especially in previous roles or volunteer positions involving children.
✨Prepare for Questions on Safeguarding
Given the importance of safeguarding in early years settings, brush up on your knowledge of child protection policies and procedures. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all children.
