Early Years Assistant

Join Early Years – the organisation for young children as Early Years Assistant

6c Wildflower Way, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT12 6TA
United Kingdom

Location: Rainbow Sure Start

Hours: 27.5 hours per week, term time, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00am to 2:00pm, Wednesday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Tenure: Fixed term until 18 December 2026

Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in early childhood education? Do you believe in the power of play to unlock potential? Be part of our team and help shape the futures of children by fostering growth and learning through purposeful opportunities.

At Early Years, we are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.

In return, Early Years provides a comprehensive rewards package, including a competitive salary, 36 days of annual leave (pro-rata), inclusive of statutory/public holidays, a contributory pension scheme, options to purchase additional leave, and access to healthcare schemes.

As Early Years Assistant you will ensure children attending the Developmental Programme for 2-3 year-olds and any other Sure Start programme have the best start in life by providing a safe, welcoming, high quality, inclusive early education environment, working to improve the ability to learn, improve health and improve social development of children, ante-natal to four years of age.

The postholder will work in partnership with families to promote and facilitate positive parenting and the enhancement of the role of parents as ‘first educators’.

• NVQ Level II in Early Years Care and Education or equivalent.
• One year’s experience working with young children in a paid, voluntary or training/placement capacity.

• NVQ III in Early Years Care and Education or equivalent.
• A full current driving licence enabling the holder to drive in NI and have the use of a vehicle for official purposes or have access to a form of transport that will enable the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full.

An information pack containing the job description and personnel specification is available by clicking here .

Please note, the information pack will not be available after the job posting closes therefore you may want to download it.

As part of the application process, you will need to demonstrate how you meet the criteria as outlined above and, on the personnel specification, and provide a copy of your CV.

Shortlisting will be completed based on the information contained with the application form, therefore it is important to clearly outline how you meet the criteria.

Please note that your CV will only be used to support your application in assessing employment history. Once you begin the application, it must be completed in one session, as there is no option to save and return to it later.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Tuesday 25 November 2025
.

For shortlisted applicants it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Monday 1 December 2025
.

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to six months for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via email.

Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.

Salary NJC Scale 2-3, (Point 4-6) £24,404-£25,183 per annum pro rata

Contact email: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).

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