Early Years Practitioner

Job Description
Early Years Practitioner

Job Description:          Early Years Practitioner

Status and Hours:        Full Time; 52 weeks; 40 hours per week

(excludes 30 min lunch).

Responsible to:          Nursery Lead

It is expected that all Early Years Practitioners will be fully aware of and will implement
the school’s policies on child protection, Health and Safety and management of
children’s behaviour. This will require attendance at relevant inservice training.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Interacting effectively and enthusiastically with children

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•  Motivating and supporting children’s participation in learning experiences

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appropriate to their needs
Promoting and valuing each individual child and supporting their care and
welfare in accordance with standards set by the Care Inspectorate

•  Monitoring and tracking
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Promoting equality and awareness of cultural diversity, ensuring that every child
experiences a fair and friendly environment
Providing a suitable role model for children and encouraging high standards of
behaviour
Planning, implementing and evaluating child-centred learning experiences in
line with the early level of the Curriculum for Excellence and Pre-Birth to
Three: Positive Outcomes for Scotland’s Children and Families
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Consulting with children and parents and carers during the planning process
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Involving children in the setting and clearing up of practical activities
•  Observing and assessing children using a range of methods including skilful

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questioning and dialogue
Liaising with parents on day-to-day matters concerning their children’s welfare
and development and offering appropriate support
Recording observations regularly, contributing to children’s profiles
Communication with parents, formally and informally on the wellbeing and
progress of children
Reporting to Nursery Lead any observations/concerns in relation to children and
their development
Engaging in continuous professional development to keep abreast of current
developments and trends as well as statutory requirements
Taking responsibility for implementing whole school and Nursery policies
Encouraging children to adopt good hygiene practice e.g. hand washing and
tooth brushing

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General Duties and responsibilities

•  Working as part of a team, maintaining good communication

and flexibility where required

•  Making contributions at staff meetings and INSET days
•  Promoting parental participation and effective partnerships with parents and

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the community
Liaising with and develop positive and productive relationships with
professionals from a wide range of agencies, including Health and Social Work
and contribute to joint reports, review meetings or case conferences as
appropriate
Liaising with staff working at other stages to promote continuity in particular
for children at points of transition

•  Assessing the workplace on a daily basis and report potential hazards
•  Ensuring that the indoor and outdoor play environments are safe and secure
•  Ensuring that all playrooms and communal areas are kept tidy and well

maintained

•  Mounting and display children’s work in the nursery and foyer areas
•  Following infection control procedures at all times
•  Assisting in the organisation management and replenishment of resources
•  Contributing to the evaluation of the work of the team and participating in
activities which support evaluation of the establishment’s work using the
National Care Standards

•  Making positive contributions to the strategic and operational planning

process

•  Participating in staff development and review
•  Participating in the training of students and/or work experience pupils
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Supporting the Christian ethos of Hamilton College

Additional Duties at the direction of the School Management

These duties are not exhaustive and additional duties may be required from time to
time to ensure the safe and smooth running of the Nursery.

December 2025

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