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- Tasks: Lead and nurture children's learning in a vibrant nursery environment.
- Company: Join the award-winning Erskine Stewart Melville Schools in beautiful Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, free lunches, and access to fitness facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while developing your career in education.
- Qualifications: Childcare qualification and experience working with children required.
- Other info: Embrace values of kindness, confidence, and curiosity in a supportive community.
The predicted salary is between 7427 - 8088 £ per year.
The Erskine Stewart Melville Schools are currently recruiting for an Early Years Lead Practitioner to join the Nursery on a temporary basis from the 27 February to the 26 June 2026 (subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks). This is a part-time, term-time position with the following days and hours of work: Friday 8am to 3:30pm. You will be entitled to an unpaid lunch of 30 minutes each day, a total paid working week of 7.5 hours. Remuneration is dependent on skills and experience, at a pro rata salary of £7,427 - £8,088. Annual leave will be a paid allowance in the annual salary as this is a term time only contract. All holidays will be taken during the school holidays.
The purpose of the Early Years Lead Practitioner (EYLP) is to lead, nurture and support the learning and development of the children in their class, working closely with colleagues, parents and external stakeholders. They are also required to support the school’s Holiday Club provision where necessary. They are responsible for providing and sustaining with other Nursery staff, an environment which is innovative, stimulating, challenging and enabling. Successful candidates will have an understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC and the UNCRC Frameworks. They will have experience working with children, possess a recognised childcare qualification, and demonstrate strong organisational skills. The EYLP will also offer exceptional leadership, motivation and management of their room team. They will support the wellbeing of their colleagues and will support the training and mentoring of staff, daily logistics and room organisation and task delegation.
Eligibility: ESMS is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. The successful candidate will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Benefits include:
- a generous holiday allowance
- enhanced sick pay
- family friendly policies
- use of the Schools’ swimming pool and fitness room outside school hours
- membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations
- Fee remission from Nursery to S6
- Free school lunches
- Free Sports’ Club membership, including access to pool and fitness suites
- Generous pension
- Death in service benefit
- Employee Assistance Service
- Cycle to work scheme
- Car leasing salary sacrifice scheme
- Annual professional review process
- Regular salary reviews
- Funding towards professional qualifications
We are looking for individuals who can embody and promote ESMS values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity while role modelling behaviours in line with our school pillars of Ambition, Innovation, and Community.
Safeguarding: ESMS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and Disclosure Scotland. All staff working at ESMS have direct access to young people therefore all posts within the school are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Any enquiries about this position should be directed to the HR Team at recruitment@esms.org.uk. Closing date for the position is Wednesday 4 February 2026 at 12 noon. We anticipate interviews will commence the week commencing 9 February 2026.
Welcome to the ESMS, a vibrant family of independent schools, set in beautiful grounds in the heart of Edinburgh. We offer a co-educational nursery and junior school, single‑sex but closely twinned secondary education, and a co‑educational sixth form. We are a consistently award‑winning school, with an educational legacy that stretches back more than 300 years. Our schools have always been pioneers of rounded education. Children’s education is underpinned by our values: kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity and curiosity. From virtual reality headsets in the classroom to developing one of the first outdoor learning programmes in Scotland, we are always searching for new ways to develop the whole child. The people that work for us are passionate, pioneering and strive for excellence in everything they do. We value the incredible contributions they make to school life, invest in their careers and support their ambitions so that they flourish professionally and personally.
Early Years Lead Practitioner employer: Erskine Stewart Melville School
Contact Detail:
Erskine Stewart Melville School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Lead Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who work at ESMS or similar institutions. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research the school’s values and think about how you can demonstrate kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity, and curiosity in your responses. We want to see how you embody these traits!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Bring along examples of your past work with children, whether it’s lesson plans, activities, or feedback from parents. This will help us see your innovative approach to early years education.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Lead Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Early Years Lead Practitioner. We want to see how you embody our values of kindness, confidence, and curiosity in your work with children.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your recognised childcare qualifications and any relevant experience you have. We’re looking for someone who understands the Curriculum for Excellence and can lead a team effectively, so let that shine through!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to make your skills and experiences stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Erskine Stewart Melville School
✨Know Your Curriculum
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC, and the UNCRC Frameworks. Brush up on how these frameworks influence early years education and be ready to discuss how you would implement them in your role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Early Years Lead Practitioner, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and managed a team in the past, and think about how you can support your colleagues' wellbeing and development.
✨Engage with the Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity that ESMS promotes. Be prepared to share how you embody these values in your work with children and colleagues, and how they guide your teaching philosophy.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios during your interview. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them, especially in creating a stimulating and enabling environment for children.
