Early Years Practitioner - Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare in Edinburgh

Early Years Practitioner - Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time 30188 - 34452 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Diversity Dashboard

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children's learning journeys and create engaging educational experiences.
  • Company: Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare, part of the community-focused MacMillan Hub.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to diversity.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for children.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and help them reach their full potential.
  • Qualifications: Must hold SVQ Social Services or HNC Childhood Practice qualifications.

The predicted salary is between 30188 - 34452 £ per year.

Early Years Practitioner – Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare Centre, Edinburgh.

Salary: £30,188 – £34,452. Hours: 36 per week, 52 weeks per year.

Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare opened in August 2024. The new centre is part of the MacMillan Hub, a community‐focused, collaborative location that partners with North Edinburgh Arts and the relocated Muirhouse library to provide a range of services for the local community.

We are recruiting experienced Early Years Practitioners for a permanent role. Successful candidates will be passionate about supporting children to become confident, capable individuals and will help them achieve their full potential. They will possess strong skills in enhancing children's learning and development, understand the importance of letting children lead their own learning, and be enthusiastic about creating meaningful experiences and spaces.

Applicants will be effective team members who contribute to the ethos and values of the setting through good communication and professional discussion, applying their training and knowledge to demonstrate enthusiasm for Early Years practice.

Responsibilities

  • Support children's individual learning journeys within the centre, providing high‐quality educational experiences.
  • Work shift patterns within the setting, between the hours of 07:45 and 18:00, Monday to Friday, with some late shifts on rotation each month.

Qualifications

  • SVQ Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF Level 7
  • HNC Childhood Practice

You must hold one of the above qualifications before applying. When completing the application form, state the name of your qualification and level. If you do not possess either qualification, we will be unable to consider your application.

We fully intend to conduct a Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 pre‐employment check. The preferred candidate will join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG update check. If an applicant has spent a continuous period of three months or more overseas in the last five years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. An unconditional offer and start date will depend on successful completion of these checks.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued. We encourage applications from women for senior roles, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodivergent people, care‐experienced people, carers and LGBT+ individuals across all levels of the organisation. All applicants will be considered fairly based on skill and experience. Disabled and care‐experienced applicants who meet the minimum job criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Find out more about our commitment to equalities: Inclusive Edinburgh.

As part of our goal to improve organisational culture, we assess how candidates bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity, and Flexibility into their work. More information is available on the Our Behaviours web page: Our Behaviours - The City of Edinburgh Council.

Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and increases annually until it reaches the top of the range. Flexible working arrangements are available for this role.

Early Years Practitioner - Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare in Edinburgh employer: Diversity Dashboard

Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare Centre is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its staff while fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Located in the vibrant community of Edinburgh, we offer competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to professional development, ensuring that our Early Years Practitioners can thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and their families in a collaborative setting that values respect, integrity, and flexibility.

Diversity Dashboard

Contact Details:

Diversity Dashboard Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Early Years Practitioner - Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare in Edinburgh

Dive into Local Community Groups

Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Diversity Dashboard.

Attend Social Work Events and Workshops

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Diversity Dashboard!

Showcase Your Passion and Expertise

Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Diversity Dashboard, will notice your enthusiasm!

Leverage Your Network

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Diversity Dashboard or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.

We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Practitioner - Pennywell Early Learning and Childcare in Edinburgh

Child Development Knowledge
Educational Experience Design
Communication Skills
Team Collaboration
Passion for Early Years Education
Adaptability
Understanding of Individual Learning Journeys

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.

Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!

Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!

Tailor Your Application to Diversity Dashboard:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Diversity Dashboard! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Diversity Dashboard

Understanding the Role of Empathy

In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.

Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.

Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills

In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.