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- Tasks: Lead and nurture young children's learning in a vibrant nursery environment.
- Company: Join the award-winning Erskine Stewart Melville Schools in beautiful Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, free lunches, and access to fitness facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's development while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a recognised childcare qualification required.
- Other info: Be part of a pioneering school that values kindness, confidence, and curiosity.
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 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 dependant 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.
Purpose of the role
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 an environment which is innovative, stimulating, challenging and enabling for nursery staff.
Key responsibilities
- Lead and manage a classroom of young children, delivering a curriculum based on the Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC and the UNCRC Frameworks.
- Support the wellbeing and development of all children, fostering a positive learning environment.
- Provide exceptional leadership, motivation and management of the room team.
- Mentor and train staff, supporting daily logistics, room organisation and task delegation.
- Provide support to the school’s Holiday Club provision where necessary.
- Work closely with colleagues, parents and external stakeholders to support the learning and development of children.
Qualifications and experience
- Understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC and the UNCRC Frameworks.
- Experience working with children and possess a recognised childcare qualification.
- Demonstrate strong organisational skills and excellent leadership, motivation and management of the room team.
- Must be able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
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.
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.
Safeguarding and compliance
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.
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.
Benefits
Employees get access to a range of benefits including: 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.
Early Years Lead Practitioner employer: Teacheroo
Contact Detail:
Teacheroo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Lead Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research ESMS and its values. When you walk into that interview, show us you understand what we stand for—kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity, and curiosity. It’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn or at local events. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the role and help us see your genuine interest in joining our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the practical side of things! Think about how you’d lead a classroom or support the Holiday Club. We want to hear your ideas on creating a stimulating environment for our little learners.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about wanting to be part of our amazing community.
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. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through in your written application. Share specific examples of how you've nurtured and supported young learners in the past, as this is key to embodying our values.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your qualifications and experiences are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures it reaches us quickly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily. Plus, it’s super simple!
How to prepare for a job interview at Teacheroo
✨Know Your Curriculum
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC, and the UNCRC Frameworks. Brush up on how these frameworks influence early years education, as you’ll likely be asked how you would implement them in your classroom.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or mentored staff in previous roles. Highlight specific situations where your leadership made a positive impact on children's learning and development.
✨Engage with the Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity, and curiosity that ESMS promotes. Think of ways you can embody these values in your teaching approach and share relevant experiences during the interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to create a nurturing environment. Practice responses that demonstrate your ability to handle challenges while supporting children's wellbeing and development.
