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- Tasks: Lead and inspire young learners in a nurturing nursery environment.
- Company: Join the vibrant ESMS family of independent schools in Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy free lunches, generous holidays, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Childcare qualification and experience with children required.
- Other info: Be part of a pioneering school with a rich educational legacy.
The predicted salary is between 7427 - 8088 £ per year.
Job Reference: schooltalent/TP/33365/2340
Number Of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Permanent, Part Time, Term Time
Contract Details: Temporary, part-time, term-time commencing on 27 February to 26 June 2026. Working Fridays each week.
Salary: £7,427 to £8,088 pro rata
Working Hours: 7.5 hours per week
Location: Edinburgh
Closing Date: 04/02/2026
Department: Early Years/Nursery
Region / Division: ESMS
Job Role: Operational/Professional Services
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 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.
Qualifications
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, 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
- Fee remission from Nursery to S6
- Free school lunches
- Free Sports’ Club membership, including access to pool and fitness suites
- Generous holiday allowance
- Generous pension
- Death in service benefit
- Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave
- Membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations
- Employee Assistance Service
- Cycle to work scheme
- Car leasing salary sacrifice scheme
- Annual professional review process
- Regular salary reviews
- Funding towards professional qualifications
Values and Culture
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.
Contact Information
Any enquiries about this position should be directed to the HR Team.
Closing Date
The closing date for the position is Wednesday 4 February 2026 at 12noon. We anticipate interviews will commence the week commencing 9 February, 2026.
About ESMS
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, we invest in their careers and we support their ambitions so that they flourish professionally and personally.
EARLY YEARS LEAD PRACTITIONER in Edinburgh employer: ESMS: Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools
Contact Detail:
ESMS: Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land EARLY YEARS LEAD PRACTITIONER in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who work with early years. They might know about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to early years education. Think about how you can showcase your understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence and your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. It shows initiative and gives you a better chance of standing out!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace EARLY YEARS LEAD PRACTITIONER in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours, especially kindness and curiosity!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience and qualifications in childcare. We’re looking for someone who understands the Curriculum for Excellence and can lead a team effectively, so be specific about your skills!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at ESMS: Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools
✨Know Your Frameworks
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC, and the UNCRC frameworks. Be prepared to discuss how these frameworks influence your approach to early years education and how you can implement them effectively in your role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Early Years Lead Practitioner, you'll need to demonstrate exceptional leadership. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully motivated and managed a team. Be ready to share how you support colleagues' wellbeing and foster a positive environment.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios you might face in the nursery. Prepare some examples of how you would handle daily logistics, task delegation, and mentoring staff. This will show your practical knowledge and readiness for the role.
✨Embody ESMS Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity that ESMS promotes. During the interview, reflect these values in your answers and provide examples of how you've embodied them in your previous roles.
