Senior Early Year Practitioner

Senior Early Year Practitioner

Job Reference: schooltalent/TP/33365/2419

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Number Of Positions: 1

Contract Type: Fixed Term, Part Time, Term Time

Contract Details: Temporary, part-time, term-time commencing in March 2026 to the 26 June 2026. The post holder will be working Fridays each week.

Salary: Remuneration is dependant on skills and experience, at a pro rata salary of £7,693 to £8,377

Working Hours: 7.75

Location: Edinburgh

Closing Date: 11/03/2026

Department: Early Years/Nursery

Region / Division: ESMS

Job Role: Operational/Professional Services

The Erskine Stewart Melville Schools are currently recruiting for a Senior Early Years Practitioner to join the Nursery on a temporary basis from March 2026 to 26 June 2026 (subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks). This is a part‑time, term‑time position, working Fridays from 8am to 3:45pm.

Remuneration is dependant on skills and experience, at a pro rata salary of £7,693 - £8,377. Annual leave will be a paid allowance in the annual salary as this is a term‑time only contract. All holidays will be taken during the school holidays.

The purpose of the Early Years Lead Practitioner (EYLP) is to lead, nurture and support the learning and development of the children in their class, working closely with colleagues, parents and external stakeholders. They are also required to support the school’s Holiday Club provision where necessary. They are responsible for providing and sustaining with other Nursery staff, an environment which is innovative, stimulating, challenging and enabling.

Successful candidates will have an understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC and the UNCRC Frameworks. They will have experience working with children, possess a recognised childcare qualification, and demonstrate strong organisational skills. The EYLP will also offer exceptional leadership, motivation and management of their room team. They will support the wellbeing of their colleagues and will support the training and mentoring of staff, daily logistics and room organisation and task delegation.

To learn more about this role, please access the job description provided.

ESMS is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. The successful candidate will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Staff are offered a range of benefits including a generous holiday allowance, enhanced sick pay, family friendly policies, use of the Schools’ swimming pool and fitness room outside school hours, membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations.

• Fee remission from Nursery to S6
• Free school lunches
• Free Sports’ Club membership, including access to pool and fitness suites
• Generous holiday allowance
• Generous pension
• Death in service benefit
• Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave
• Membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations
• Employee Assistance Service
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car leasing salary sacrifice scheme
• Annual professional review process
• Regular salary reviews
• Funding towards professional qualifications

We are looking for individuals who can embody and promote ESMS values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity while role modelling behaviours in line with our school pillars of Ambition, Innovation, and Community.

ESMS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and Disclosure Scotland.

All staff working at ESMS have direct access to young people therefore all posts within the school are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Any enquiries about this position should be directed to the HR Team at

The closing date for the position is Wednesday 11 March 2026  anticipate interviews will commence shortly…