Teaching Assistant - Early Years
Haynes Lower School, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 3PR53 days remaining to apply
Start date details
1 January 2026
Closing date
19 December 2025 at 10:59pm
Date listed
27 October 2025
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Fixed term
Full-time equivalent salary
- £24,790.00 - £25,183.00 Annually (FTE)
Teaching Assistant - Early Years job summary
Monday - Friday 32.5 hours per week (6.5 hours per day 08.30 - 3.30pm with half an hour unpaid lunch)
NJC Scale Level 3 , points 5-6 (£24,790 - 25,183 pro-rata)
Term time only & 5 training days
Fixed Term Contract: 01.01.2026 - 31.08.2026 (due to pupil numbers)
Applications will be considered on receipt and interviews conducted accordingly. The vacancy will close on appointment of a suitable candidate
About us: Nestled in the heart of a welcoming and friendly Central Bedfordshire village, Haynes Lower School and Nursery is a small, nurturing lower school that prides itself on providing a safe, welcoming, and creative environment for all our children. Our close-knit team of staff work together to ensure each child is encouraged to grow, explore, and develop to their fullest potential. We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Practioner to lead work in our Nursery, to join our passionate team and make a positive impact on the next generation.
About us: Nestled in the heart of a welcoming and friendly Central Bedfordshire village, Haynes Lower School and Nursery is a small, nurturing lower school that prides itself on providing a safe, welcoming and creative environment for all our children. Our close-knit team of staff work together to ensure each child is encouraged to grow, explore and develop to their fullest potential. We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Early Years Teaching Assistant to work in our Nursery
The role: A dedicated, passionate and knowledgeable Early Years Teaching Assistant in our school nursery plays a vital role in supporting both children and teachers, helping to create a positive and effective learning environment. You'll be part of the team delivering high quality Early Years Education to a group of delightful children aged 2 - 4 years. You will support the planning, assessing of learning activities and help our little learners develop foundational skills in a fun and stimulating environment. You will work closely with other staff to support the personal, social and emotional development of each child, contributing to a warm and caring atmosphere where every child can thrive.
Key responsibilities:
1. Supporting Learning
- Works closely with children, providing individualised support to those who need extra help with literacy, numeracy, or other subjects.
- Encourages and motivates children, fostering confidence and independence in their learning.
- Adapts teaching materials to suit different learning styles and abilities.
2. Assisting the Classroom Teacher
- Helps with lesson planning and preparation; ensuring materials and resources are ready for activities.
- Supports behaviour management, maintaining a positive and structured classroom atmosphere.
- Provides feedback to the teacher about the children’s progress and any challenges observed.
3. Creating an Engaging Learning Environment
- Encourages curiosity and enthusiasm for learning through interactive activities.
- Uses creative strategies to make lessons fun and accessible for all children.
- Supports social and emotional development by fostering kindness, empathy, and teamwork.
4. Ensuring Student Well-being
- Acts as a caring and approachable role model for children, offering emotional support when needed.
- Helps create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing classroom atmosphere where every child feels valued.
- Observes children for any signs of distress or difficulties and communicates concerns to teachers or parents.
5. Promoting Positive Classroom Culture
- Models respectful and positive behaviour, reinforcing the school’s values.
- Encourages collaboration and good social skills among children.
- Helps manage transitions between activities smoothly, reducing disruptions.
A passionate TA brings energy and commitment, ensuring that every child receives the attention and support they need to thrive. A knowledgeable TA understands child development, different learning strategies, and classroom management techniques making them an invaluable asset to the nursery setting. Ultimately, a dedicated teaching assistant contributes significantly to shaping a child's early learning experiences, laying the foundation for future academic and personal success.
Why join us?
- A supportive and friendly team of staff
- The opportunity to work in a beautiful, village school with strong community links
- Ongoing professional development
- A chance to make a real difference in the lives of young children
- A warm, inclusive school culture where every staff member is valued
- A strong values-based education shown by all members of our community
- A supportive Management Team and Governing Body.
Applications will be considered on receipt and interviews conducted accordingly. Early application is recommended and the vacancy will close on appointment of a suitable candidate.
Haynes Lower School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). CVs will not be accepted for any posts based in school. We are an Equal Opportunities employer. As part of the shortlisting process, we will carry out an online search as part of our due diligence for shortlisted candidates.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Haynes Lower School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 2 to 9
- Education phase
- Primary
- School size
- 131 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 9
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Haynes Lower School website
Haynes Lower School and nursery is a small village school. We believe that all children have the right to receive a broad, balanced, relevant and stimulating education.
Our curriculum enables children to develop confidence, to progress, to acquire knowledge, to build and embed skills throughout their time at our school. We promote values and tolerance within the school community and encourage children to become good citizens who contribute to the wider world. Everything we do is therefore rooted in our values based approach to education.
Come and join our friendly and supportive team. We can offer successful candidates a supportive, hardworking, collaborative and committed staff team, a strong values based education and friendly, well behaved and motivated learners.
School location
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