Early Years Practitioner in Wimborne Minster

Dumpton is a thriving, coeducational Prep School built on a simple but powerful belief: that every child has remarkable potential within them. Our role is to create an environment in which each individual has the very best opportunity to flourish. Our values — Be Kind and Aim High — guide our decisions, shape our culture and define our expectations of one another.

We are seeking a caring, enthusiastic and experienced Early Years Practitioner to join our thriving Nursery team. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a leading independent school committed to providing outstanding early years education. The successful candidate will help create a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment where children aged 2–3 years can thrive.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting children’s development through engaging learning experiences, observation and planning.
• Building strong relationships with parents and colleagues.
• Maintaining high standards of safeguarding and care.

Applicants should hold a relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (or equivalent) and have previous experience in an Early Years setting. Strong communication skills, a warm and caring approach, and a good understanding of child development and the EYFS framework are essential. There is possibility for this role to be full time, or a part time job share.

Key Responsibilities:

• Play a lead role in providing a safe, supportive and caring environment for young children in the care of Dumpton Nursery.
• Work closely in partnership with parents to support their child’s development.
• Be fully up to date with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Be proactive in the process of activity planning, child observation and maintaining development records.
• Be an effective key person and buddy to those children assigned to you.
• Follow all routines, duties, timetables, rotas, record‑keeping activities and any other reasonable duty as requested.
• Maintain and follow Dumpton’s policies and procedures at all times.
• Ensure that communication with children, parents and the staff team is maintained at the highest level.
• Maintain confidentiality about all issues related to the setting.
• Provide staff cover within the Foundation Stage as instructed.
• Attend meetings, professional development training and any other events as requested.
• Support and mentor colleagues in their practice.
• Take responsibility for health and safety checks, including toy and equipment maintenance and all Dumpton policies and procedures.
• Assist other staff in setting up the Nursery before the start of term.
• Understand safeguarding children and report any concerns or observations to the DSL.

This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the employee will be required to perform duties outside of this at the discretion of the Headmaster.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

• Experience working with children.
• EYP/YET or minimum relevant Level 3 qualification.
• A strong grounding in childcare and child development.
• To understand safeguarding children and report any concerns or observations to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Previous experience in Early Years Education.
• Experience of leading others.
• Experience with 2/3‑year‑olds.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Creativity and imagination.
• Ability to act on own initiative.
• Caring and nurturing – someone who is kind in all they do.
• Enthusiasm and good humour.
• A desire to be a team player at all times.

Dumpton School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Dumpton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.