Early Years Educator

• Category: Care - Children and Young People
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 30 hours per week
• Posted on: 16 January 2026
• Closing date: 28 February 2026
• Directorate: Partnership

Please note that this vacancy is not part of Surrey County Council, we are advertising this on behalf of a partnership organisation.

The starting salary for this role is £17,907.12 per annum based on a 30 hour working week. Monday to Friday 08:30 to 15:00, term time only. 4 or 5 day roles available.

• Be part of a long-standing and well-respected charity
• Discounted childcare for permanent employees
• Gym membership and free access to all leisure facilities for permanent employees
• Eligibility for Blue Light Discount Retail Card
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 6.6 weeks annual leave which increases after 2 years continuous service
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme

YMCA East Surrey is a vibrant charity that has been actively supporting the local community since 1870. We help people to believe in themselves, support them to achieve their goals and inspire them to be the best they can be. Our mission is to provide opportunities for people to develop to their full potential, with a focus on children and young people and those who are vulnerable, have a disability or face disadvantage.

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about working for a charity and making a difference to the lives of the children and young people in our community. If you're enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate!

At YMCA East Surrey, we are an inclusive workplace. We are committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

This is an opportunity to join our wonderful, community-focused preschool at the YMCA Sovereign Centre in Reigate. We are looking for individuals who are experienced and passionate about working in Early Years to join our caring and committed team.

The Early Years Educator/Practitioner will deliver the highest quality of care and curriculum in line with Ofsted guidelines. They will inspire by delivering an exciting, child-led, play-based curriculum.

YMCA East Surrey requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children's and Adult's barred lists) check, along with reference checks.

The main role responsibilities will be to:

• Provide a diverse range of experiences for children to learn through play, providing high standards of customer service to children, parents and other stakeholders
• Work in cooperation with other team members, to provide a caring environment in which children can thrive
• Act as a key worker for a group of individual children.
• Keep development records up to date and working in partnership with parents, to support each key child's development
• Observe key children and plan for each child's next steps of development
• Report termly to the Pre School for each key child's age and stage
• Report any safeguarding concerns to the Pre School Manager
• Comply with the organisation's childcare policies and procedures
• Take part in training and development and attend regular staff meetings
• Follow YMCAES safeguarding, child protection and safer working practice and policies at all times, taking any concerns to your line manager
• Ensure that any information regarding a child, their family is kept completely confidential

Successful candidates will already have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

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