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- Tasks: Engage and inspire young children through creative learning activities during lunchtime.
- Company: Join Sunshine Corner Nursery, part of the Early Years Alliance, dedicated to quality early years education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 100% childcare discount, extensive training, generous leave, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while growing your career in a friendly, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed; just a passion for working with children and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Flexible hours, birthday leave, and access to mental health support make this role truly special.
About The Role
We have a fantastic opportunity for an Early Years Assistant to join our team during Lunchtime Cover at Sunshine Corner Nursery in Canterbury. We are friendly and inclusive and we welcome applicants who can inspire fun and creativity.
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: 20 Hours
Weeks per year: 52 Weeks
Interview date: Monday 28th July 2025
Notes/Brief For HR Recruitment
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.
If you would like to find out more about our setting, please go to: https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/sunshine-corner-nursery #J-18808-Ljbffr
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 its principles 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 local community groups or online forums related to early years education. Networking with professionals in the field can provide valuable insights and may even lead to recommendations for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experiences with children, even if they are informal. Think of specific examples where you've engaged with young children, as this will help you illustrate your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Sunshine Corner Nursery and the Early Years Alliance. Understanding their values and approach will allow you to tailor your responses in the interview, showing that you align with their mission and culture.
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 phrases that resonate with your experience and skills.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your relevant experience with young children. Emphasise any previous roles or volunteer work 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 are drawn to Sunshine Corner Nursery and how your values align with their commitment to inclusivity and creativity.
Highlight Your Willingness to Learn: Since the role encourages training towards a recognised childcare qualification, express your eagerness to undertake further training and development in your application. This shows your commitment to growth in the field.
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, come prepared with ideas for activities or games you could implement. This shows initiative and a proactive approach to the role.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to work well in a team and adapt to different situations. The nursery values a friendly and inclusive environment, so showcasing your collaborative skills will be beneficial.
✨Prepare for Questions on Safeguarding
Given the importance of safeguarding in early years settings, be ready to discuss how you would ensure the safety and well-being of the children. Familiarise yourself with basic safeguarding principles to demonstrate your commitment to child welfare.
