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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 Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, free lunches, and discounts at 130,000 locations.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Childcare qualification and experience with children required.
- Other info: Part-time, term-time role with excellent professional development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 7693 - 8377 £ per year.
The Erskine Stewart Melville Schools are currently recruiting for a Senior Early Years Practitioner to join the Nursery on a temporary basis from March 2026 to 26 June 2026 (subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks). This is a part‑time, term‑time position, working Fridays from 8am to 3:45pm. Remuneration is dependant on skills and experience, at a pro rata salary of £7,693 - £8,377. 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: Staff are offered a range of benefits including 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 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: 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. 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. The closing date for the position is Wednesday 11 March 2026 at 12noon. We anticipate interviews will commence shortly after.
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.
SENIOR EARLY YEAR PRACTITIONER 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 SENIOR EARLY YEAR 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 the interview by researching the school's values and ethos. Make sure you can demonstrate how you embody kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity, and curiosity in your work with children.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've motivated and managed teams in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have in mentoring staff or leading initiatives that improved children's learning.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the ESMS family.
We think you need these skills to ace SENIOR EARLY YEAR PRACTITIONER
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Senior Early Years Practitioner. We want to see how you embody our values of kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity, and curiosity!
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t hold back on sharing your experience working with children and any relevant qualifications you have. We’re looking for someone who can lead and support our nursery team, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESMS: Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools
✨Know Your Curriculum
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC, and the UNCRC Frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles, as this will show your commitment to child development and education.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Early Years Practitioner, you'll need to demonstrate exceptional leadership. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and managed a team in the past, and be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring and supporting colleagues.
✨Emphasise Your Organisational Skills
This role requires strong organisational abilities. Think about specific instances where you've successfully managed logistics or delegated tasks effectively. Highlighting these experiences will show that you're capable of maintaining a stimulating and enabling environment.
✨Align with ESMS Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity. During the interview, reflect on how you embody these values in your work and how you can contribute to fostering a positive community within the school.