Early Years Practitioner (Maternity Cover)

Cross Gates Primary School, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS15 7NB

10 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  2 July 2026 at 3pm

• Date listed

  22 June 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: 32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, Term Time only.
• Contract type: Fixed term - 9 Months initially - Maternity or parental leave cover
• Pay scale: B1 pt 2

What skills and experience we're looking for

Early Years Practitioner (Maternity Cover)

2 Year old room

First Steps Nursery- Cross Gates Primary School

Maternity Cover- Full Time to start 1st September 2026.

32.5hrs (Term time only) Usual working day 8:30am-3:30pm

Grade: B1

Cross Gates Primary School is a welcoming one form entry primary school located in the heart of East Leeds. We pride ourselves on fostering a warm, inclusive environment where every child and family is valued and supported. Our strong community ethos and family-focused approach create a nurturing space to support pupils to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. At Cross Gates, we are committed to excellence and continuous development, ensuring our school remains a place where children love to learn and grow.

Join Our Team and Make a Difference from the Start of a Child’s Journey

Cross Gates Primary School is seeking a passionate and dedicated Early Years Practitioner to join our team, working within our two year olds nursery setting. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the early development and well-being of our youngest pupils under the direction of the Early Years Lead responsible for Early Years and the Headteacher.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality care and education to children aged two years, supporting their early development and learning needs through high quality interactions and child led play.
• Plan and implement stimulating, age-appropriate activities that promote curiosity, communication, and social skills.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and external agencies to ensure holistic support for every child.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment that reflects the school’s family ethos.
• Observe, record, and assess children’s progress to inform planning.
• Record your observations as part of our online learning journal for parents.

If you have minimum Level 2 qualification with experience of working with young children in a child care setting, passionate about early years education and want to support children at the very start of their learning journey within a caring and dynamic school, we would love to hear from you.

What the school offers its staff

What the school can offer:

• a welcoming, friendly school community
• a committed supportive team of staff who want to make a positive difference to the wellbeing of our children
• continuous professional development opportunities

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Cross Gates Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Appointments are made subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure.

Applying for the job

This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

EY Practitioner L2 JD Person Spec Jan 26.doc - 130 KB (opens in new tab)

About Cross Gates Primary School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, ages 2 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 268 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Cross Gates Primary School website
• Email address: recruitment@crossgatesprimary.co.uk
• Phone number: 0113 2645763
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/cross-gates-primary-school

Cross Gates Primary School is a welcoming one form entry primary school located in the heart of East Leeds and part of the Leeds East Primary Partnership. We pride ourselves on fostering a warm, inclusive environment where every child and family is valued and supported. Our strong community ethos and family-focused approach create a nurturing space to support pupils to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. At Cross Gates, we are committed to excellence and continuous development, ensuring our school remains a place where children love to learn and grow. Our vision, Aspire, Learn, Succeed, underpins everything we do.

Arranging a visit to Cross Gates Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@crossgatesprimary.co.uk.

School location

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