Nursery Teacher (Maternity Cover)

Package Description:

NURSERY TEACHER (Maternity Cover) 

– Full Time (1 FTE)

– Fixed Term Maternity Cover from February 2026 until the end of the year

– Salary will be at the appropriate point on Main Grade Scale – dependent on experience.

– Closing Date – 26th October 2025

– Interviews – TBC

Job Purpose

• To be responsible to the Head of Junior School and Nursery to provide high-quality, play-based teaching and learning experiences for children in the Early Years, ensuring their safety, wellbeing, and development which is guided by Curriculum for Excellence (early level), Realising the Ambition: Being Me (2020), the Health and Social Care Standards (2017) and further best practice in Early Learning and Childcare settings. 

• As part of the all-through school community, the Nursery Teacher plays a vital role in ensuring smooth transitions for children through Nursery and into the Junior School, with a focus on pastoral care and emotional development, while fostering strong relationships with children, families and colleagues. 

• The post-holder will lead by example in creating a nurturing, stimulating, reflective and inclusive environment, working closely with the Lead Practitioner and overseeing the team of Early Years Practitioners. 

Accountable To

Head of Junior School and Nursery

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning:

• Plan, deliver and evaluate high-quality learning experiences aligned with the school’s vision and educational values. 

• Ensure learning is child-centred, play-based, and supports children’s curiosity, creativity, and independence and is compatible with the Curriculum for Excellence (early level), Realising the Ambition: Being Me.

• To encourage children to take an active part in all aspects of the Early Years environment, and to ensure that there is a focus on each individual child’s intellectual, social, physical and emotional development. 

• Use effective assessment approaches, including observation and tracking, to monitor children’s progress and share this with families and colleagues, in line with How Good is Our Early Learning and Childcare? (HGIOELC) quality indicators. 

• Support smooth and effective transitions within the Nursery, and from preschool into Primary 1. 

• Support activities outwith the nursery classroom (such as trips, visits or competitions) which underpin and enhance the effective delivery of the curriculum. 

• To follow guidelines and meet deadlines for recording and reporting the children’s progress.

Leadership and Teamwork:

• Provide professional leadership, support, and guidance to the Nursery team of Early Years Practitioners in line with the expectations of HGIOELC. 

• Work collaboratively with the Lead Early Years Practitioner to oversee daily organisation, planning, and quality of provision. 

• Promote a positive, inclusive, and respectful working culture within the Junior School and Nursery team, consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards. 

• Attend all relevant meetings with colleagues and parents, and to participate in nursery and school in-service training, as directed by the Head of Junior School and Nursery. 

• Alongside the Head of Junior School and Nursery, contribute to the professional development of Nursery staff through identifying and supporting training needs, mentoring and sharing good practice. 

• Maintain a high personal standard of punctuality and contribute to the smooth daily operational processes of the nursery. 

• Work with colleagues to promote and maintain high standards of behaviour throughout the school.

Pastoral Care and Safeguarding:

• Promote children’s wellbeing and emotional development, ensuring the Nursery provides a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment in line with the GIRFEC principles.

• Act as a role model for high standards of care and professional practice. 

• Work in line with the school’s safeguarding and child protection policies and ensure compliance with regulatory Care Inspectorate requirements. 

• Ensure that any concerns about a child’s development or welfare are discretely and sensitively handled and promptly conveyed to the appropriate member of the school safeguarding team. 

• Ensure knowledge and observation of health and safety procedures with regards to the nursery environment and practices.

Partnership with Parents and the School Community:

• Build strong relationships with parents and carers, ensuring open communication and partnership in each child’s development. 

• Follow school guidelines for termly reporting to parents about their child’s progress and areas for development in nursery, including daily updates about nursery events and learning activities. 

• Contribute to wider school life and maintain strong links with the Junior School to ensure continuity of experience.

• Represent the Nursery positively to colleagues, prospective families and visitors. 

Professional Responsibilities:

• Maintain registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and meet relevant professional standards. 

• Keep up to date with current developments in Early Years education, including Realising the Ambition, HGIOELC, and the Health and Social Care Standards and contribute to the ongoing development of Nursery practice. 

• Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the Head of Junior School and Nursery. 

• Seek the Head’s authorisation for any anticipated absence from school; to give as much notice as possible of unavoidable absence through sickness. 

• Participate reflectively in the school’s system of professional review.

• To attend all relevant Staff Meetings and in-service days and any training courses.

Person Specification

Essential:

• GTCS registration (Primary/Early Years). 

• Strong knowledge of Curriculum for Excellence (Early Level) and Early Years pedagogy. 

• Understanding of Realising the Ambition: Being Me, HGIOELC, Care Inspectorate quality indicators for Early Learning and Childcare, and the Health and Social Care Standards. 

• Experience of working in a Nursery or Early Years setting. 

• Ability to lead, motivate, and work collaboratively with a team. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with children, families, and colleagues. 

• Commitment to safeguarding, child wellbeing, and inclusion.

Desirable:

• Experience of supporting staff development and mentoring. 

• Additional qualifications, experience or training in Early Years or child development.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early upon receipt of sufficient suitable applications.

About the School

As Edinburgh’s only all-through independent school for girls aged 3-18, St George's is a place of possibilities: where everyone is clearly heard; pupils feel empowered to be themselves; and innovation is constantly encouraged. The courage of our founding mothers, who pioneered women’s education in Victorian Scotland, still echoes defiantly through our corridors. That’s why amplifying the voice of every girl remains part of our DNA today as a loyal school community with a unique spirit of pride. Over 90% of our girls achieve their first-choice post-school destination: leaving us as robust, empathetic change-makers, ready to take on the world…