Early Years Teaching Assistant

Putnoe Primary School, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 0DH

21 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 4th 2027

• Closing date

  4 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  14 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teaching assistant
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Fixed term
• Full time equivalent salary: £13.26 - £13.69 Hourly Level 3a point 5-7

Early Years Teaching Assistant job summary

Putnoe Primary School in Bedford is seeking a dedicated and caring Early Years Teaching Assistant to join our team for a temporary contract covering the Spring and Summer terms 2027.

You will work closely with our Early Years Teacher in a vibrant class of 4-year-olds, playing a vital role in supporting the daily learning, well-being, and development of our youngest pupils during their first experience of school life.

Key Information

• Position: Early Years Teaching Assistant (Aged 4)
• Contract Type: Temporary (Full-Time or Part-Time options considered)
• Duration: Spring and Summer Terms 2027 (January 2027 - July 2027)
• Location: Putnoe Primary School, Bedford, UK

Main Responsibilities

• Support Classroom Learning: Assist the class teacher in delivering creative, play-based activities that align with the EYFS framework.
• Nurture Child Development: Work with individuals or small groups of 4-year-olds to boost their communication, social skills, and early literacy/numeracy.
• Prepare the Environment: Help set up engaging indoor and outdoor learning zones, ensuring resources are safe, clean, and accessible.
• Observe & Record: Help monitor children's progress by sharing observations with the teacher to help plan their next steps.
• Provide Pastoral Care: Assist with practical daily routines, including lunchtime supervision, promoting independence, and managing personal care needs.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualifications: A full and relevant Level 3, or above, qualification, in line with DfE requirements - Early years qualification requirements and standards. GCSE or equivalent qualification at a pass mark in both English and Mathematics.
• Experience: Previous experience working with early years children, ideally aged 4, in a school or nursery setting.
• Skills: A warm, patient, and enthusiastic approach with excellent communication skills and a good understanding of how young children learn through play.
• Safeguarding: A strict commitment to safeguarding and promoting child welfare. An enhanced DBS check is required.

What We Offer

• Outstanding behaviour and attitudes
• Outstanding personal development
• Outstanding leadership and management
• A welcoming, collaborative early years team.
• A vibrant, well-resourced learning environment.
• The chance to make a real difference in children's early school experiences.

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

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Putnoe Primary School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 494 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Putnoe Primary School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/putnoe-primary-school

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