Early Years Practitioner

Candidate Brief
Early Years Practitioner

FULL-TIME, PERMANENT
START AUGUST 2026

Rydes Hill offers outstanding education

and pastoral care for children aged 2 to

7, combining academic ambition with a

nurturing, family-focused environment. We

believe that happy children thrive, and our

warm, inclusive atmosphere ensures every

child feels valued and part of the Rydes Hill

family.

Our highly qualified teachers are dedicated

to helping each child grow into a caring,

confident, and capable learner. With a strong

emphasis on personal development and

academic excellence, we lay the foundations

for future success and inspire a lifelong love

of learning in every child.

Following the recent announcement of the

merger between Rydes Hill and Tormead, we

are pleased to announce that Rydes Hill Prep

School will become fully co-educational in

Year 3 from September 2027, followed by Year

4 in September 2028. This move is part of a

phased plan to make Rydes Hill Prep School

fully co-educational by September 2030.

Part of the Tormead family, Rydes Hill Pre-Prep and
Nursery is a nurturing, home-from-home school where
children are carefully guided through each stage of
their early development, supported to flourish both
academically and personally. At the heart of learning
at Rydes Hill are the Five Cs: Courage, Collaboration,
Communication, Creativity, and Curiosity. These values
are embedded in every lesson, equipping children with
essential life skills that extend far beyond the classroom
and into adulthood. Teachers carefully capture children’s
interests and imagination, fostering confidence,
independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

From September 2026, we are excited to be building upon
the success of our current Nursery classes by extending
our provision to welcome babies from 6 months. We
inspire imaginations, creating and nurturing capable,
curious learners, preparing each child for a positive and
happy transition to the next stage of their school journey.

The Nursery operates for 48 weeks per year, from 7.30am
to 6.00pm, in a bright, spacious, and inspirational learning
environment with dedicated outside areas.

We are seeking warm, caring and enthusiastic Early Years
Practitioners to join our friendly team in delivering high-
quality care, teaching, and learning experiences. This is
an excellent opportunity to become part of a vibrant and
caring independent school community that values every
child’s unique potential. The successful candidates will
work closely with Room Leaders to support all aspects of
nursery life, fostering a safe, stimulating, and nurturing
learning environment to allow our pupils to thrive. Daily
responsibilities include working in partnership with
parents, carers and professionals to promote the well-
being of the children, implementing the Early Years
Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum and assisting with
creative displays within the Nursery.

Candidates will have a genuine love
and passion for early years education,
creating a sense of fun, joy and creativity
for the children, ensuring a warm, happy
home-from-home environment for our
youngest learners. Candidates will hold
a minimum of a Level 3 qualification in
childcare and will have a warm and caring
attitude and a genuine desire to make a
positive difference to children’s learning.

The positions are full-time, all year round,
working from 7.15am to 6.15pm on a
rotational basis. We offer a friendly and
inclusive working environment, and our
benefits package includes a competitive
salary, 30 days’ annual leave plus bank
holidays, professional development
opportunities, and free lunch when
Nursery is in session.

For more information and to apply for
the role, please contact the HR team
Recruitment@tormeadschool.org.uk.

The closing date for applications is
Monday 27 April 2026 at 9.00am.
However, applications will be considered
in the order in which they are received,
and the School reserves the right to make
an appointment prior to the closing
date should the ideal candidate(s) be
identified.

Required for August 2026

Full-time, 52 weeks per year

Early Years Practitioner

Job Summary

To support the Room Leader in the smooth running of
the Nursery classroom. To deliver high standards of care,
child development and learning for Nursery children in
a welcoming, caring and safe environment. To comply
with all regulatory requirements, including the Early Years
Foundation Stage.

Main Responsibilities

Child Development and Learning:

n  Maintain a stimulating, engaging and interactive

environment for all children.

n  To lead activities for a group of children.

n  To assist with the planning and delivery of the daily
programme of purposeful play activities to suit
the children’s needs and stages of development,
supporting and promoting each child’s learning.

n  To guide and monitor children’s progress, provide
feedback to the Room Leader on pupil progress;
assessing and observing where required to help
inform children’s developmental next steps.

n  Be proactive in embedding classroom routines so

children are continually supported.

n  Be a key person to a number of children, providing
a secure attachment figure to help children settle,
meeting their care needs such as feeding, sleeping
and nappy changes, planning for your key children’s
needs and interests, and monitoring and supporting
their development.

n  To complete the children’s learning journals and

assessment of progress in Nursery.

n  Liaise regularly with parents about their child’s needs,

interests, and progress.

n  Ensure records of the children’s day are completed

and the details communicated to parents.

n  Ensure effective working practice is followed

including safeguarding and adhere to all School
policies and procedures.

Health & Safety:

n  Support children’s eating needs, encouraging

children to eat and drink when required.  Record and
communicate children’s daily eating and toileting
habits.

n  Ensuring effective supervision at mealtimes and that
all dietary requirements are adhered to for children
within your room.

n  Always maintain a clean and safe environment both

inside and outside.

n  Undertake daily risk assessments e.g., locking gates,
spillage of water, monitoring the condition of toys
and equipment, and reporting any health and safety
concerns to the Room Leader.

n  Maintain good order and behaviour among pupils

and safeguarding their health and safety both when
they are authorised to be on the school premises and
when they are engaged in authorised school activities
elsewhere.

n  Working within the School’s Health and Safety Policy
to ensure a safe environment for the children, their
parents and carers, the Nursery team, and any visitors
to the Nursery.

Pastoral and Wellbeing:

n  To be sensitive to the needs of all children.

n  Promote positive values, attitudes, and good

behaviour of children.

This job description is not intended to be all embracing
and the post holder shall be required to carry out other
duties as necessary and required, commensurate with
training and experience.

n  Promote positive professional relationships with the

Key Relationships:

Nursery team.

Continuing Professional Development:

n  Reappraising professional performance, keep up to
date with EYFS requirements and best practice.

n  Be committed to improving own practice through

appropriate training and development.

n  Engage actively in the performance review process.

General:

n  For your key children, write effective observations and
comments that contribute to their parents’ evening
notes and early years reports.

n  Work as part of the whole nursery team and take on

Internal: Nursery Manager, Room Leader, Nursery and
Pre-Prep colleagues.

External: Parents and prospective parents and pupils.

Key and Desirable Skills:

ESSENTIAL

n  Level 3 childcare qualification.

n  Evidence of continuing and relevant professional

development.

n  Experience of Early Years Education.

n  Experience of providing care and education to children

with a wide range of needs and abilities.

additional responsibilities as required.

n  Strong understanding of early childhood development

n  Be available to work in any areas of the Nursery,

undertaking the care and supervision of the children
and ensuring its smooth running.

n  To carry out playtime and lunchtime duties as

required.

n  Attend meetings as required (departmental, staff,

pastoral, parent meetings, etc.).

n  Ensure confidentiality is maintained in the Nursery.

n  Actively promote and model good practice in equality,
diversity, and inclusion, and to support and uphold
fundamental British values.

n  To adhere to all School policies, procedures, and risk
assessments, including safeguarding, child protection
and health and safety.

and learning.

n  Good knowledge of the EYFS curriculum.

n  Knowledge and commitment to child protection,
health and safety, equal opportunities and SEN/
inclusion.

n  Knowledge of health and safety procedures.

n  Ability to provide consistently high levels of quality care

and education opportunities for all children.

n  Caring, friendly, approachable, open, welcoming and

personable.

n  Proactive and positive team player, able to work

constructively as part of a team.

n  Able to work under direction but use own initiative.

n  Able to maintain confidentiality.

DESIRABLE

n  Able to carry out light physical duties to include lifting

n  Degree in Early Years.

children and setting up resources.

n  Reflective approach and commitment to personal

development.

n  Paediatric First Aid.

n  Basic Food Hygiene.

n  Minimum of 2 years’ experience within a childcare

setting.

n  Experience of working in the independent sector.

n  Excellent knowledge of how to provide for the needs

of young children.

n  An understanding of the independent school sector.

n  Able to observe and assess children’s development.

n  Record keeping and reporting.

n  Adaptable and flexible and the ability to cope with

changing needs.

Safeguarding Children

The postholder is responsible for promoting and
safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons
with whom they come into contact, and to adhere to and
ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Policy
at all times.  If, in the course of carrying out their duties,

the postholder becomes aware of any actual or potential
risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School,
they must report any concerns to one of the school’s
Designated Safeguarding Leads in accordance with the
School’s policies and procedures.

Benefits
Our benefits package includes a competitive salary, 30 days’ annual leave plus bank
holidays, professional development opportunities, a contributory pension scheme, free
lunches and refreshments when school is in session, and use of the gym and sports
facilities at Tormead School.
Applications
Visits to the School and Nursery are warmly welcomed so that you can experience the
atmosphere and values of our setting first-hand. For more information and to apply for
the role, please contact our HR team Recruitment@tormeadschool.org.uk or visit
our website www.rydeshill.com.

Deadline for applications
The closing date for applications is Monday 27 April 2026 at 9.00am.
However, applications will be considered in the order in which they are received,
and the School reserves the right to make an appointment prior to the closing date
should the ideal candidate(s) be identified.

Rydes Hill School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and applicants must be willing to undergo
child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS check. We conduct online searches
for all shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence checks, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS check.