Early Years Practitioner; Maternity Cover

Early Years Practitioner (Maternity Cover)

Position:
Full Time to start 1st September 2026.

School:
First Steps Nursery – Cross Gates Primary School

Grade: B1

Hours:

32.5hrs (Term time only). Usual working day 8:30am‑3:30pm.

Cross Gates Primary School is a welcoming one‑form entry primary school located in the heart of East Leeds. We pride ourselves on fostering a warm, inclusive environment where every child and family is valued and supported. Our strong community ethos and family‑focused approach create a nurturing space to support pupils to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. At Cross Gates, we are committed to excellence and continuous development, ensuring our school remains a place where children love to learn and grow.

Cross Gates Primary School is seeking a passionate and dedicated Early Years Practitioner to join our team, working within our two‑year‑olds nursery setting. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the early development and well‑being of our youngest pupils under the direction of the Early Years Lead responsible for Early Years and the Headteacher.

• Deliver high‑quality care and education to children aged two years, supporting their early development and learning needs through high‑quality interactions and child‑led play.
• Plan and implement stimulating, age‑appropriate activities that promote curiosity, communication, and social skills.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and external agencies to ensure holistic support for every child.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment that reflects the school’s family ethos.
• Observe, record, and assess children’s progress to inform planning.
• Record your observations as part of our online learning journal for parents.

If you have a minimum Level 2 qualification with experience of working with young children in a child‑care setting, are passionate about early years education and want to support children at the very start of their learning journey within a caring and dynamic school, we would love to hear from you.