Early Years Practitioner

Job Vacancy

This is an excellent opportunity for someone to join our ELC team and develop in their Early Years career. We are looking for someone who will help us continue to deliver high quality early learning and childcare in an environment where all children have the opportunity to flourish and progress to the best of their abilities.

Post holder must hold at least a practitioner level qualification, HNC Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 7; or SVQ Social Services (Children & Young people) at SCQF 7 or equivalents that meet the requirements for SSSC (Scottish Social Services Council) registration e.g.

• SVQ 3 Child Care and Education
• SVQ 3 Early Years Care and Education
• SVQ Children's Care learning and Development SCQF 7
• HNC Childcare and Education
• HNC Working with Children in Early Years
• HNC Early Education and Childcare (at SCQF level
  7)

Qualifications which were previously recognised for SNNEB/NNEB registration may be acceptable. An up to date first aid certificate is also required.

Closing date – Tuesday 10th March 2026
Interview date – Monday 16th March 2026

• Position Title:
  
  Early Years Practitioner
• Directorate:
  Children, Young People & Partnerships
• Location:
  
  Loanhead Primary School ELC
• Contract Status:
  Permanent
• Hours of Work: 36 hours per week
• Working Pattern:
  Monday to Thursday, 08:15-16:30 & Friday, 08:00-13:00
• Weeks per year: 39
• Minimum actual salary for this position is £27,117.25 per annum based on 36 hours over 39 weeks per year.
• According to Midlothian Council’s policy successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children.

• Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council.
• The cost of the PVG Scheme will be met by you.
• For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit
• Disclosure Scotland has changed the way PVG certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate.
• If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email the Recruitment Team at stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you.

Thank you for your patience in this matter.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.