7,519 Preschool Assistant jobs in the United Kingdom

Preschool Nursery Assistant

Permanent, Part Time

£13.00 per hour

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Fixed-base worker

Please note this role is being offer as a Part Time opportunity, working 19.5 hours per week, term time only (38 weeks per year) covering the following shifts:

Tuesday: 9am to 3.30pm

Thursday: 9am to 3.30pm

Friday: 9am to 3.30pm

To apply you must hold a level 3 or above accredited qualification in Early years childcare and education and have experience of working in an Early Years setting.

Adult Community Learning (ACL) is ECC's provider of lifelong learning experiences for Essex residents.

ACL offers childcare facilities for parents to help them move nearer to, enter or progress within the workplace or gain skills to enhance life chances. The Nursery/Pre-school is registered with Ofsted and is also open to community children whose parents/carers are not attending ACL.

Responsibilities

The Nursery/Pre-school Assistant will be part of a team and will be expected to provide high standards of quality care within the nursery/pre-school with responsibilities encompassing the environment, resources and experiences offered to children and their families.

They must:

Ensure rich and diverse indoor and outdoor play experiences are offered taking regard of the EYFS and the individual needs of children.

• Be a key person carrying out all related responsibilities.
• Observe, support and extend children's learning.
• Maintain accurate and effective children's records.
• Work in partnership with parents/carers and other family members.
• Ensure that children are kept safe and understand safeguarding, and when necessary follow Child Protection Procedures.
• Demonstrate good practice with regard to special needs and inclusion.
• Promote positive attitudes to race, culture, gender, religion and abilities.
• Undertake a shared responsibility for health, safety and cleanliness throughout the nursery/pre-school.
• Be responsible for participating in all self-development activities including appraisals and supervision meetings, team meetings etc.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• Level 3 qualification or equivalent by experience in childcare.
• English and Maths Skills at level 2.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with both children and adults.
• The ability to plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.

Desirable:

• The ability to work effectively under a variety of circumstances and develop skill within the role.
• The ability to plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities.
• First Aid training
• Level 3 qualification or equivalent by experience in childcare.

To read more about us please visit: ACL Essex - and / or Economy, Investment and Public Health

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) ) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email

Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn . Further details can be found on our careers page .

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• Deliver inspirational teaching and learning across a range of modules in Early Childhood Education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
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• Supervise student dissertations, projects, and research activities.
• Engage in high-quality scholarly activity, including research, publication, and conference presentations.
• Contribute to the administrative and strategic development of the department.
• Foster strong relationships with external partners, including schools and early years settings.
• Mentor and support students, providing academic and pastoral guidance.
• Participate in module and programme review processes.
• Contribute to the recruitment and promotion of the university's education programmes.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and nature of the role.

• A PhD or Doctorate in Education, Early Childhood Studies, or a closely related field.
• A recognised teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE, Cert Ed) or a commitment to obtaining one.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant teaching experience in higher education, with a focus on Early Childhood Education.
• Proven experience in curriculum development and module leadership.
• A strong record of academic research and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise student research effectively.
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• Collaborate with a remote team of specialists to ensure a cohesive and high-quality approach to early years education.
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• A degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• A minimum of 6 years' experience working directly in early years settings (e.g., nursery, preschool, kindergarten) or in educational consulting.
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• Advocate for the importance of high-quality early childhood education and its accessibility through technology.
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• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Pedagogy, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working directly with young children in an educational setting (e.g., nursery, preschool, primary school).
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• Experience with digital learning platforms or educational technology is a significant advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex educational concepts clearly.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
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• Deliver high-quality teaching and assessment across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Early Childhood Education.
• Develop and update curriculum content, ensuring relevance and academic rigor.
• Conduct and publish original research in Early Childhood Education, contributing to scholarly discourse.
• Supervise student research projects, dissertations, and theses.
• Engage in academic leadership, potentially including module leadership or programme coordination.
• Contribute to the development of innovative teaching methodologies and learning resources.
• Provide academic and pastoral guidance and support to students.
• Participate actively in departmental and university administrative activities.
• Build and maintain productive links with external stakeholders, including schools and early years settings.
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• Doctoral degree (PhD or EdD) in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Master's degree in a relevant subject area.
• Substantial experience in teaching at university level, with a strong pedagogical record.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting and publishing high-quality research.
• Evidence of successful student supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and contribute to departmental goals.
• Strong understanding of current issues and research in Early Childhood Education.
• Experience with curriculum development and assessment design.
• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

• Design, deliver, and assess engaging undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Early Childhood Education.
• Supervise student research projects, dissertations, and theses.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of curriculum, ensuring it remains current and relevant to national and international standards.
• Conduct high-quality research in Early Childhood Education, leading to publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at academic conferences.
• Secure research funding through grant applications.
• Provide academic advising and mentorship to students.
• Contribute to departmental administration and strategic planning.
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• Promote best practices in early years pedagogy and practice through teaching, research, and engagement activities.
• Engage in professional development to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills.

• A Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education, Education, Psychology, or a closely related field.
• A strong record of publications in reputable peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Demonstrable experience in designing and delivering university-level courses in Early Childhood Education.
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• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
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• Proficiency in digital learning technologies and platforms for remote teaching.
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• Deliver engaging and inspiring lectures, seminars, and practical sessions on a range of Early Childhood Education topics.
• Develop and update course materials, syllabi, and assessment strategies to ensure curriculum relevance and currency.
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations and research projects.
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• Contribute to the development and implementation of new academic programmes and modules.
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• Stay current with national and international developments in early childhood education research and practice.

• A PhD in Early Childhood Education, Education, or a closely related discipline.
• A strong record of teaching experience at university level.
• A proven track record of research output, evidenced by publications in reputable academic journals.
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• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
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• Conduct research on current trends and best practices in early childhood education.
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• Deliver engaging and informative lectures, seminars, and practical sessions to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Develop and update course materials, syllabi, and assessment strategies for early childhood education programs.
• Conduct high-quality research in early childhood development, pedagogy, or related fields, and publish findings in reputable academic journals.
• Supervise student research projects, dissertations, and theses.
• Provide academic advice and pastoral support to students.
• Contribute to the strategic development and enhancement of the Early Childhood Education curriculum.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments and with external stakeholders, including schools and educational bodies.
• Participate in departmental and university administrative duties, such as admissions and quality assurance processes.
• Engage in professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise.
• Represent the university at academic conferences and professional events.
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• A relevant PhD in Education, Early Childhood Studies, or a closely related discipline.
• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Demonstrable experience in teaching and curriculum development at the higher education level.
• Proven ability to supervise postgraduate research.
• Expertise in current theories and practices in early childhood education and development.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
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