SEND Tutor - Early Development & Play- Learning

Big imaginations. Little steps. Life-changing progress.

Join AP Education and help every child learn, communicate and thrive.

At AP Education, we provide personalised, one-to-one Alternative Provision for children and young people (CYP) who face barriers to education. Our relationship-led approach helps them build confidence, develop skills and make meaningful progress.

We're looking for creative, playful and compassionate SEND Tutors across Cheltenham and surrounding areas to support children of EYFS age or those working at an EYFS developmental level.

Learning doesn't always happen at a desk. Sometimes, it starts with a favourite toy, a silly song, a game of peekaboo or an adult willing to get down on the floor and see the world through a child's eyes!

If you're imaginative, happy to be a little silly and passionate about celebrating small steps forward, we'd love to hear from you.

Relationships come first.

Feeling safe, understood and connected is often the starting point for learning. You'll have the opportunity to build trust, follow a child's interests and develop a positive relationship at their pace.

Creativity is encouraged.

From sensory activities and messy play to songs, stories, building dens and imaginative games, we encourage tutors to make learning fun and meaningful. We want people who can get involved, think outside the box and connect with children on their level.

Communication matters.

Not every child communicates through speech. You'll help children express their needs, choices, feelings and interests using approaches suited to them, such as visual supports, gestures, signing, objects of reference or AAC.

You're supported.

Your dedicated Education Coordinator will help you understand each child's needs, strengths and goals. We'll arrange planning meetings, complete appropriate risk assessments and support you during the initial start-up. You'll have ongoing guidance, training and access to practical resources. Each learner also has an allocated resource budget for suitable activities and materials.

You’ll deliver face-to-face, one-to-one support tailored to each child's developmental level, interests and communication needs.

Your work may include:

• Developing functional communication so children can express choices, needs and feelings.

• Using play-based learning to encourage curiosity, interaction and early skills.

• Exploring sensory play, music, movement, stories and creative activities.

• Supporting attention, turn-taking and shared play where appropriate.

• Embedding learning into everyday activities and routines.

• Using personalised communication strategies, including visual supports, signing and AAC where appropriate.

• Introducing early concepts such as matching, sorting, cause and effect, numbers and early literacy through play.

• Recognising sensory needs and celebrating progress.

• Recording progress and working with your Education Coordinator towards individual outcomes.

This isn't about expecting every child to sit still or complete worksheets. It's about discovering what motivates them and turning that interest into an opportunity to learn.

Children may have needs including:

• Autism and communication differences.

• Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

• Global developmental delay or learning difficulties.

• Sensory processing differences.

• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

• Complex SEND.

Some learners will be of EYFS age; others may be older but working at an EYFS developmental level. You'll need to adapt your approach to each child's developmental stage, not just their age.

You could be a SEND teacher, Early Years practitioner, specialist tutor, teaching assistant or someone with experience in…