Early Years Practitioner

We are seeking a caring, enthusiastic, and committed Early Years Practitioner to join our friendly and supportive primary school team. This is a wonderful opportunity for a passionate practitioner who understands the importance of high-quality early childhood education and is eager to help our youngest learners develop confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning from the very start of their school journey.

About the role

You will work as part of our Early Years team, supporting children in Nursery/Reception through a play-based, child-centred approach. You will help create a safe, stimulating, and inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

Key responsibilities

• Supporting the planning and delivery of engaging Early Years activities in line with the EYFS framework
• Observing, assessing, and recording children’s progress
• Promoting positive behaviour and wellbeing
• Working closely with teachers, parents, and other staff to support children’s development
• Helping to maintain a safe, nurturing, and stimulating classroom environment

Waterside Primary School is proud to be situated in the heart of Stoke on-Trent where cultural richness and diversity is celebrated within our school and our local community. There is a sharp focus at Waterside on becoming respectful and tolerant citizens which enable positive interactions within and beyond our school. Although there is a high level of deprivation and social challenges, we are committed to ‘Empowering Learners’ and enriching lives.

Due to the challenges within our context, we place high priority on developing the whole child. We are highly ambitious and inclusive and strive to intrinsically embed the British Values and our Personal Development curriculum including our school values (Respect, Determination, Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Inspiration, Equality) to ensure that pupils acquire skills and knowledge for future learning and life in modern Britain. All staff at Waterside are highly aspirational and consistently deliver rich learning experiences within our ambitious broad and balanced 4D curriculum, that secure academic achievement and progress, whilst going beyond the curriculum to reinforce the skills required for life-long learning.

At Waterside, we understand the importance of equity in ensuring all pupils are able to achieve from their individual starting points, and through the challenging and diversified opportunities that we provide, children become confident learners who are prepared for life beyond the classroom. Our ambition and passion for success for all drives the work that we do and the decisions that we make.

All candidates are required to provide a supporting statement on the formal application forms which states clearly your reasons for applying, skills and experience for this position.

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role holds the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you’ll be part of something extraordinary. We are a dynamic and growing family of Primary, Secondary, and Special Schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our mission is to unlock opportunity for every young person—whatever their background, ability, or starting point.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their growth. Through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent acceleration, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals and we champion wellbeing, value every voice, and create a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and professional community fuel success. Every academy in our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital part in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

At the heart of our work is a deep respect for the children and young adults we serve—our “precious cargo.” We are proud to "exactly like nothing else” and bridge the gap between education and the wider world, preparing every student for further education, employment, or training in inclusive environments where integrity, equality, and opportunity thrive.

If you have the heart, passion, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our incredible team.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

• An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
• Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
• Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
• Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
• Free Eye Tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from:

• Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Career Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.
• Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
• Guidance from former HMIs and serving.