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- Tasks: Deliver high-quality, child-centred care and support 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 difference in children's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a recognised childcare qualification required.
- Other info: Embrace values of kindness, confidence, and curiosity in a dynamic educational setting.
The predicted salary is between 22600 - 26100 £ per year.
The Erskine Stewart Melville Schools are currently recruiting for an Early Years Practitioner to join the Nursery on a temporary basis from the 23 February to 26 June 2026 (subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks). This is a full-time, term-time position with the following days and hours of work:
- Mondays from 8 am to 3:15 pm
- Tuesdays from 8 am to 3:45 pm
- Wednesdays from 8 am to 3:30 pm
- Thursdays from 8 am to 3:45 pm
- Fridays from 8 am to 3:30 pm
You will be entitled to an unpaid lunch of 30 minutes each day, a total paid working week of 35.5 hours. Remuneration is dependent on skills and experience, at a pro rata salary of £26,964 to £29,353. 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 this role is to deliver a high quality, child-centred service which meets the needs of our children and their families. Key duties include planning and implementation of a curricular programme, observing and interacting with children to support their learning and participating in teamwork aspects across the Nursery.
Successful candidates will be a kind, enthusiastic, and responsible individual who prioritises the interests of children and works well within a team. They will have experience working with children, possess a recognised childcare qualification, and demonstrate strong organisational skills.
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. 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 4 February 2026 at 12 noon. 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, and regular salary reviews.
Early Years Practitioner (Full-Time) employer: Teacheroo
Contact Detail:
Teacheroo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Practitioner (Full-Time)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research ESMS and its values. When you understand what they stand for, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you embody those values like kindness and curiosity.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former staff if you can. They can give you insider tips on what the interviewers are looking for and what it’s really like working there. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask during your interview. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you figure out if the school is the right fit for you. Think about what matters most to you in a workplace.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Practitioner (Full-Time)
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 an Early Years Practitioner. We want to see how you embody our values of kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity, and curiosity!
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t forget to mention any relevant experience you have working with children. Whether it’s through previous jobs, volunteering, or even personal experiences, we love to see how you’ve engaged with kids and supported their learning.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Make sure to proofread for any typos or errors before hitting send!
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 securely. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Teacheroo
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the key duties of an Early Years Practitioner. Brush up on your knowledge of child development and the importance of a child-centred approach. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Your Passion for Children
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you’ve made a positive impact on a child’s learning or development. This will demonstrate your commitment to prioritising their interests.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since this role involves working closely with a team, be prepared to discuss your teamwork skills. Think of examples where you’ve collaborated effectively with others in a childcare setting. Highlight how you contribute to a positive team environment and support your colleagues.
✨Align with ESMS Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of ESMS: Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity. Be ready to explain how you embody these values in your work. This will show that you’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the school’s culture.
