At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deliver playful book-based sessions for parents and babies in libraries.
- Company: Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, promoting creativity and literacy.
- Benefits: Competitive fee, travel allowance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with support for creative development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in early years literacy and inspire a love of reading.
- Qualifications: Experience with early years children and a passion for books.
We are looking for two creative practitioners with experience of working with early years children (aged 0-3) and a passion for books and reading.
Book Babies (working title) is one strand of Inspire's Baby Steps to Reading Wellbeing programme which is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The programme will see us working with parents and babies (aged 0-3) in libraries and Family Hubs in Ashfield and Mansfield.
We are looking for two creative practitioners to design and deliver playful and creative book-based sessions in libraries and Family Hubs for parents and their babies. The sessions should nurture a love of books, stories and shared reading, through creative and interactive experiences, for both the child and parent. Sessions will take place in Kirkby-in-Ashfield Library and Mansfield Central Library, and in Family Hubs in those areas.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and planning opportunities will take place during October 2026.
Our aims for Book Babies are to:
- nurture enjoyment and confidence of sharing books between parent and child
- allow parents space to explore how their baby responds to books
- support the creative development of our practitioners
- deliver excellent and inspiring book-based sessions for parents and babies that can inform how we develop our current library offer
Timeline overview:
- CPD and planning opportunities will take place during October 2026
- Session delivery will take place across two programme cycles, the first between November 2026 & March 2027, and the second between April and July 2027
- Practitioners will deliver eight sessions in each programme cycle
Fee available:
- Expected fee up to £4675 (£4,400 for 16 sessions and a £275 planning session)
- Attendance at CPD will be paid
- £250 travel allowance
- There is some additional budget available for materials
- All fees are inclusive of VAT where applicable. There is no budget for accommodation.
Job Responsibilities Practitioners will:
- Work collaboratively with Inspire and our project partners
- Attend CPD
- Take wide inspiration from the CPD, and their own practice, to design playful and creative book-based sessions suitable for parents and babies in community and library settings
- Travel between venues with any materials and equipment needed
- Contribute to the project's evaluation by recording feedback from sessions and reporting their own experiences
Inspire will:
- Work collaboratively and support the creative development of the practitioners
- Support the delivery of CPD via our partners at Nottingham Trent University
- Programme the sessions in libraries and Family Hubs
- Manage session booking
- Support practitioners to deliver the project
- Promote through our central communications and marketing team
- Record the project through photography, illustration and evaluation processes
- Design, develop and record the creative outcomes through legacy materials.
We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates and welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries in Mansfield employer: Arts Council England
Arts Council England is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a vibrant work culture that prioritises inclusivity and creativity. With flexible and hybrid working arrangements based in Manchester, employees are empowered to manage diverse projects while receiving ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the arts education sector. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people through the arts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries in Mansfield
✨Get Involved in Local Edu-Tech Meetups
Dive into some local edu-tech meetups or webinars related to digital learning. These gatherings are prime spots to connect with professionals in the field, and you might just bump into someone from Arts Council England looking for temporary support like a Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries. Plus, you’ll get to see what’s trending in education tech!
✨Volunteer for Online Educational Events
Look for opportunities to volunteer at online events or workshops—these can help you gain experience and get your name out there. Your contributions may catch the eye of companies like Arts Council England when they’re on the lookout for talented folks for temporary roles in digital learning.
✨Leverage Social Media Groups
Join social media groups focused on digital education, like Facebook or LinkedIn groups. These communities often share job postings for temporary roles and can help us connect with current members at Arts Council England who can potentially put in a good word for you.
✨Make Your Passion for Teaching Visible
Consider creating content that showcases your knowledge of digital learning—maybe a blog or a series of helpful videos. This not only builds your portfolio but establishes your credibility in the field. Plus, you never know who from Arts Council England might stumble upon your work while looking for a Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries!
We think you need these skills to ace Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries in Mansfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Digital Skills:In the digital learning and education sector, it's crucial to highlight your tech-savviness. Make sure your CV includes any experience with e-learning platforms, digital content creation, or learning management systems. This tech flair helps us see you're ready to thrive in our digital landscape at Arts Council England.
Let Your Passion Shine Through:For a temporary role, we want to know why you’re excited about digital learning! Your cover letter should reflect your enthusiasm for education technologies. Talk about any projects or initiatives you’ve been part of that showcase your passion. This gives us insight into how you can contribute to our team, even for a short stint.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any certifications related to digital education—like teaching online or instructional design—make sure you highlight those in your application. They can really set you apart from other candidates and show us you're knowledgeable and committed to the field.
Tailor Your Portfolio:If you’ve created any digital learning materials, this is the perfect time to showcase them! We love seeing examples of your work, so include a link to your portfolio that features your best creations relevant to the temporary role at Arts Council England. This hands-on evidence can speak volumes about your creative capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arts Council England
✨Show Off Your Creativity in Digital Learning
When preparing for your interview with Arts Council England, think about how you can showcase your creative approaches to digital learning. Bring along examples of projects or modules you've designed, especially those that highlight your ability to engage students remotely. It’ll help demonstrate your hands-on experience, which is essential for this role.
✨Know Your EdTech Tools
Get familiar with the latest in educational technology tools that are popular in the digital-learning field, like learning management systems and online assessment platforms. Being able to chat fluently about tools such as Moodle or Google Classroom during your interview could give you a real edge and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Flexibility is Key for Temporary Roles
Since this role with Arts Council England is temporary, it’s super important to convey your flexibility and adaptability during the interview. Be ready to discuss how you can quickly acclimate to new environments and seamlessly integrate into existing teams. It shows you’re a team player and can handle the ebb and flow of temporary work.
✨Demonstrate Passion for Lifelong Learning
In the digital learning space, showing a passion for education and personal development can really set you apart. Be prepared to chat about how you stay current with trends in digital education and any extra courses or resources you’ve explored. It’ll highlight your motivation and potential value to Arts Council England as they seek to innovate in their teaching approaches.
