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- Tasks: Create engaging play opportunities for preschool children and support early years providers.
- Company: Join Early Years, a passionate organisation dedicated to early childhood education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days of annual leave, competitive salary, and healthcare schemes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through the power of play.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level III in relevant fields and experience with young children required.
- Other info: Flexible working conditions and a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 22700 - 25800 £ per year.
6c Wildflower Way, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT12 6TA United Kingdom
Join Early Years – the organisation for young children as Play Development Worker
Hours: 37 hours
Tenure: Fixed Term to26 September 2026 (Maternity Cover)
Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in early childhood education? Do you believe in the power of play to unlock potential? Be part of our team and help shape the futures of children by fostering growth and learning through purposeful opportunities.
At Early Years, we are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.
In return, Early Years provides a comprehensive rewards package, including a competitive salary, 36 days of annual leave (pro-rata), inclusive of statutory/public holidays, a contributory pension scheme, options to purchase additional leave, and access to healthcare schemes.
The role
As Play Development Worker you will be required to offer quality play opportunities to pre-school children.
The post holder will provide advice, information and support to early years providers, parents and carers on play development with young children. They will also support a range of programmes across the Sure Start area.
We\’re looking for people who:
At the closing date have:
At the closing date applicants, must have:
1. An NVQ Level III in Health and Social Care or NVQ Level III in Early Years Care and Education or Level III Award in Community Development or equivalent.
2. Two years’ experience working with young children in an early year\’s group-based setting.
3. One year’s experience of planning and facilitating group activities to support children, parents and families.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of age-appropriate quality play for a child’s development.
5. An understanding of safeguarding/child protection issues and procedures.
6. A full current driving license enabling the holder to drive in NI and have the use of a vehicle for official purposes or have access to a form of transport that will enable the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full.
1. A degree in Early Childhood Care and Education, Health and Social Care, Community Development or equivalent.
An information pack containing the job description and personnel specification is available by clicking here .
Please note, the information pack will not be available after the job posting closes therefore you may want to download it.
As part of the application process, you will need to demonstrate how you meet the criteria as outlined above and, on the personnel specification, and provide a copy of your CV. Shortlisting will be completed based on the information contained with the application form, therefore it is important to clearly outline how you meet the criteria. Please note that your CV will only be used to support your application in assessing employment history.
Once you begin the application, it must be completed in one session, as there is no option to save and return to it later.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Tuesday 1 July 2025.
For shortlisted applicants it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Tuesday 8 July 2025.
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to six months for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via email.
Should you need to contact us, please use the following methods:
Email: monitoringofficer@early-years.org
Phone: 028 9038 7905
Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.
Salary NJC Scale 5, Point 12-17 (£27,711-£30,060) per annum pro rata
Contact email monitoringofficer@early-years.org Contact phone 028 9038 7905
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Play Development Worker employer: Early Years - the organisation for young children
Contact Detail:
Early Years - the organisation for young children Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Play Development Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Early Years and understand their mission and values. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference in early childhood education.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn or at local events. They can provide insider tips about the role and the company culture, which can give you an edge in your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to play development and child care. Think of examples from your experience that demonstrate your skills and understanding of age-appropriate play. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Early Years. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Play Development Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for early childhood education shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in children's lives and how play can unlock their potential.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific criteria outlined in the job description. Highlight your relevant experience and qualifications, so we can easily see how you meet our needs.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that directly address the requirements. Remember, shortlisting is based on what you write, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need right there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Early Years - the organisation for young children
✨Know Your Play Development
Make sure you brush up on the principles of play development and how it impacts early childhood education. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience where you've facilitated quality play opportunities for children.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to highlight your two years of experience working with young children in a group setting. Think of concrete examples that demonstrate your ability to plan and facilitate engaging activities that support children's growth and development.
✨Understand Safeguarding
Familiarise yourself with safeguarding and child protection issues. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve handled such situations in the past or how you would approach them, showing your commitment to creating a safe environment for children.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the role and the organisation. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.
