Nursery Teaching Assistant

Lift Shafton

High Street, Barnsley, S72 8QA

Salary: NJC 5-7 £15,866 - £16,374 (Actual) £25,583 - £26,403 (FTE) well-being cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Hours: 27.5 hours per week - 38 weeks per year
Contract type: Permanent
Start date: December 2025
Closing date: 17th Oct
Interview dates: 24th Oct

Are you ready to make a positive difference at Lift Shafton's outstanding, warm and inclusive primary school setting? We are seeking a dedicated and fun early years Nursery Teaching Assistant to support children within our brand new nursery (Opening January 2026). We welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about shaping the very start of a child's learning journey, supporting them with the energy, creativity and commitment they deserve.

About the role

As a Nursery Teaching Assistant, you'll play a vital part in supporting our youngest children at the very start of their educational journey. Each day brings new discoveries, and your role will be to nurture curiosity, build confidence, and help every child feel secure, valued and ready to learn.

You'll work closely with the Nursery class teacher and other early years practitioners to deliver engaging, play-based activities that develop children's communication, physical, social and emotional skills. From storytelling and counting games to outdoor learning and messy play, you'll help children explore the world around them in safe, structured and creative ways.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting children one-to-one and/or in small groups
• Encouraging language development through play, songs and conversation
• Observing and recording progress, feeding this back to the class teacher
• Supporting personal care needs with kindness and dignity
• Helping to create stimulating, well-organised learning space
• Building strong, trusting relationships with children, families and staff
• Promoting good behaviour, emotional well-being and a sense of belonging

Skills and Experience we would like to see:

• Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification (essential)
• Experience supporting early years aged children (up to 5 years old)
• Patience, kindness and resilience
• Familiarity with phonics programmes such as Read Write Inc
• Understanding of child development and how children learn
• A flexible, proactive approach and a genuine passion for primary education
• Paediatric first aid is advantageous

UK right to work, as this role is not eligible for sponsorship

We value the skills and dedication of our teaching assistants. To support the best outcomes for our students, we require applicants to hold at least a Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification; ideally Level 3. If you're working towards a level 3 qualification, we'll support your journey through our Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Programme, helping you develop the skills and confidence to make an even greater impact.

About Lift Shafton

Lift Shafton is a welcoming and inclusive school community where every child and every member of staff experiences a genuine sense of belonging. We are proud to provide a supportive, nurturing and joyful environment in which our team works collectively to deliver the outstanding education that our families deserve.

Lift Shafton is a truly special place to learn and to work - a professional yet caring community where dedicated and talented staff are valued and enabled to thrive, and where all children, regardless of background or ability, are supported to flourish. We are also delighted to be extending our provision with the launch of a new nursery in January 2026.

Closing date: 17th Oct
Interview dates: 24th Oct

Who is Lift Schools?

We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

• Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
• Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
• Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.