Casual Early Years Practitioner

University of Bradford

At the University of Bradford, our focus is on creating the conditions for social, cultural, and economic impact. We are committed to social inclusion. Our work to expand opportunity and enable students to reach their potential, has led to us topping the Social Mobility Index of English universities for the last four years. Our University Strategy sets out our ambitions for 2025, which we will achieve by using our proud heritage as a springboard and remaining steadfast in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Safeguarding

The University of Bradford is committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and Adults at Risk through robust safer recruitment practices.

Directorate

The People, Culture and Wellbeing Directorate promotes a supportive, inclusive environment. The nursery reflects this by providing high-quality early years care and education. Aligned with the University’s values, it nurtures children’s development and supports families, creating a caring, community-focused space that positively impacts the wider University community.

What you will be doing:

Support children’s learning and development through planned activities and play.Act as a back-up key person, building positive relationships with children and families.Assist in delivering the EYFS curriculum under supervision of senior staff.Maintain a safe, clean, and inclusive learning environment.Carry out daily care routines, including mealtimes, toileting, and hygiene.

Qualifications/ experience:

English GCSE (Grade C/Level 2 or above) or equivalent (essential)Level 2 or 3 Early Years Qualification (desirable).Experience working with children aged 0–5 years (essential)Awareness of the EYFS Framework and child development (essential)Good IT, communication, and teamwork skills (essential)Flexible, reliable, and eager to learn (essential)Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene certificates (desirable).

Do not meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description or advert, we encourage you to arrange an informal conversation with the hiring manager. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Celebrating Diversity – The University of Bradford 

Within the nursery team, males are underrepresented. We therefore welcome applications from males to help create a more balanced and inclusive workforce. This positive action does not disadvantage applicants of other genders.

At the University of Bradford, we recognise and embrace people that work in diverse ways so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.

Additional Information:

If you would like to find out more or are interested in applying, please message, email or call Rochelle Smith on 01274 234866 & R.Higginbotham@bradford.ac.uk, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please send your CV and a personal statement to nursery@bradford.ac.uk. Providing a personal statement is an opportunity to highlight relevant skills and experience. Both documents are welcomed to support your application.

Interview Date: We will review applications on an ongoing basis and invite shortlisted candidates to interview at a mutually agreeable time.

Working Model: On-site

Closing Date: 20 Aug 2025

Department: Professional Services

Salary: £12.60 per hour plus 12.07% holiday entitlement Various hours