We’re looking for a kind, caring and fun staff member to join our team to cover Laura’s maternity leave from January.
Job Description:
Playschool Assistant to cover maternity leave.
Starting Monday 26th January 2026. Fixed term contract until 16th July 2026.
Hours 9-3pm Monday and Friday in term time only (plus ad hoc cover if available).
Renumeration £12.21 for unqualified staff (increasing to £12.71 from 1st April). £13.22 for qualified staff (increasing to £13.72 from 1st April).
You will be required to attend 1 staff meeting per half term, which will usually be held during a weekday evening, and for this you will be paid your usual hourly rate.
Aims and Ethos of the setting
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will undertake an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check and references for all successful candidates. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
We have embedded the Thrive approach in the setting and our focus is on attachment theory and building strong bonds with the children and families who attend our setting. We also have a real focus on inclusion and regularly have external agencies working with us in setting – Surrey Early Years Effectiveness and SEND advisors, speech therapists and many others. You will need to be patient, kind, caring and compassionate as well as flexible and able to deal with change as it’s a fast-paced environment and the needs of the children can differ on a daily basis. Good communication and team-work skills are vital.
Duties
Duties will include working as part of a team to deliver the EYFS 2025. This may include reading stories to children, joining play in a range of scenarios like playdough, cars, water tray, sensory tray, small world toys, puzzles, building blocks etc. We offer a free flow environment for the children and the garden is open for most of the day and staff need to be able to join garden duties regularly.
Your role will include lunch time supervision and working closely with colleagues including the SENCO and DSL to ensure all children’s unique needs are met in the setting. We have a high number of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, ranging from delayed speech to autism spectrum disorder.
Duties will also include risk assessing and helping with tidy up time and packing away the equipment when the children go home.
Please email Louise for an application form louise@peterpanplayschool.co.uk