At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young children in a nurturing environment, facilitating play and learning activities.
- Company: Join Kensington and Chelsea Council, dedicated to enhancing community life and supporting residents.
- Benefits: Enjoy training opportunities, a supportive team, and the chance to make a real difference locally.
- Why this job: This role offers meaningful work with children, fostering their development in a vibrant community setting.
- Qualifications: Experience with children aged 0-5 is preferred; no formal qualifications required but knowledge of EYFS is a plus.
- Other info: Part-time role, requiring an Enhanced DBS check; flexible working days available.
Help little ones feel safe, supported and ready to explore the world. As an Early Years Practitioner, you'll be part of a warm, welcoming team giving children the very best start in life. Whether it's supporting play, sharing a story or preparing activity resources, you will make children feel safe, secure, confident and engaged.
Working Style: You'll be based in the Borough for two and a half days a week, playing a key role in serving the local community. You'll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents' lives.
What you'll be doing: You'll work with children aged 0-5, helping to create a learning rich, stimulating space where every child feels happy, included and able to thrive. From setting up activities and supporting daily routines to facilitating play-based learning, you'll bring care and consistency to every child's day. You'll organise resources, support group work or adapt activities accordingly so all children thrive. You'll get to know each child's particular needs, interests and background, and use that information to support them to reach the best possible outcomes.
As part of a supportive nursery team, you'll contribute ideas and reflect on what's working. You'll follow the nursery's policies and practices, including safeguarding and health and safety, and help make sure every child has a positive all-round experience.
What you'll bring: We're looking for someone who truly enjoys playing with and caring for young children - someone calm, caring and full of enthusiasm for their development. You'll have some recent experience working with children aged 0-5, either in a nursery, as a childminder, or in another early years setting. You'll be pro-active about getting involved in all aspects of nursery life - from playing on the floor to helping a child settle in after drop-off. Good communication is key: you'll work closely with colleagues and families, and you'll need to actively listen, adapt and build strong relationships. You'll bring a positive, can-do attitude and be ready to support children with a range of needs and backgrounds - who require warmth, commitment and consistency. Being present, dependable and ready to muck in as a reliable team player. You don't need a formal qualification, but knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Ofsted standards and child development will help. A DBS check will be required, and a first aid certificate would be a bonus.
Why join us: At RBKC, we invest in our people, communities and our future. You'll join a friendly, long-standing team who'll support you from day one. You'll have access to training and development opportunities tailored to your role, and the chance to grow skills at your own pace. This is a great place to build your experience and confidence in early years, with space to develop and explore new responsibilities. Above all, you'll be doing meaningful work in your local community - that truly makes a difference.
About us: Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough. As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all.
Interview Details and Role Requirements: Interviews will be held 24th July 2025. This role requires an Enhanced DBS check. Clare Gardens Nursery - 349 Westbourne Park Rd, London W11 1EG - 1 part time role, this will be 2 ½ days a week - Half day Wednesday, full day Thursday, Friday. St Quintin's Nursery - 90 Highlever Rd, London W10 6PN - 1 part time role, this will be 2 ½ days a week - Monday, Tuesday full days, Friday half day. The half days will be afternoons for 3.6 hours starting at 2pm.
Ready to join us? We're all in - are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we'd love to hear from you. Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description. We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants. We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
Early Years Practitioner - Part Time employer: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Contact Detail:
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Practitioner - Part Time
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Understanding its principles will not only help you in your role but also show us that you're committed to providing high-quality care and education for young children.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with local community groups or forums related to early years education. Networking with other professionals can provide insights into best practices and may even lead to recommendations that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific experiences where you've supported children's development. Think of examples that highlight your ability to create a safe and stimulating environment, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Show enthusiasm for working with children by sharing your ideas for activities or learning experiences during the interview. This demonstrates your proactive approach and passion for early years education, which we highly value.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Practitioner - Part Time
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Early Years Practitioner position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these aspects.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any recent experience you have working with children aged 0-5. Include specific examples of how you've supported their development and created a nurturing environment.
Highlight Communication Skills: Since good communication is key in this role, make sure to mention your ability to build relationships with children, families, and colleagues. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles.
Express Your Passion: Convey your enthusiasm for working with young children in your application. Share why you enjoy this work and how you can contribute positively to the nursery team and the children's experiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
✨Show Your Passion for Early Years Education
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with young children. Share specific examples of how you've engaged with children aged 0-5 in previous roles, highlighting your ability to create a safe and stimulating environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Good communication is key in this role. Be prepared to discuss how you build relationships with children, colleagues, and families. Use examples that showcase your active listening skills and adaptability in different situations.
✨Familiarise Yourself with EYFS and Ofsted Standards
While formal qualifications aren't necessary, having knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Ofsted standards will set you apart. Brush up on these topics and be ready to discuss how they influence your approach to early years education.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you would handle specific situations with children. Think about scenarios where you had to adapt activities or support children with diverse needs, and be ready to share your thought process.