Preschool Practitioner (1:1) – Little Explorers Preschool

18 hours per week

Fixed Term – initially funded until 23rd July 2027 (subject to continued funding)

Location: Little Explorers Preschool, Freshwater & Yarmouth CE Primary School

About Our Federation

We value and respect every individual within an atmosphere of Christian love. Our welcoming community builds strong relationships and is dedicated to supporting everyone to flourish academically, emotionally, socially and culturally through an excellent and engaging curriculum.

Preschool Practitioner (1:1) – Little Explorers Preschool

The successful candidate will provide dedicated 1:1 support for a child with additional needs, helping them to access learning opportunities, develop independence and achieve their full potential within a nurturing Early Years environment.

At the Federation of the Church Schools of Shalfleet and Freshwater & Yarmouth, our children are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that our preschool is often the first step in a child's educational journey, and we are deeply committed to providing a nurturing, inclusive and high-quality Early Years’ experience.

For our staff, we offer an inclusive and supportive working environment where professional development and wellbeing are genuinely valued. Our school values of Respect, Resilience and Relationships shape our culture and guide our work every day.

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity to join our Little Explorers Preschool team as a 1:1 Preschool Practitioner, providing dedicated support to a child with additional needs and helping them access all areas of learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

About the Role

• Working Pattern: Days to be discussed
• Start Date: As soon as possible
• Working Weeks: Term time only, with the opportunity to undertake additional holiday club shifts

As a member of our preschool team, you will be responsible for promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children, maintaining professional boundaries, and following all school safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.

We Are Looking For Someone Who:

• Has a Level 3 Early Years qualification
• Has GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above
• Is passionate about supporting children to achieve their full potential
• Can build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues
• Has experience of supporting children with additional needs, or is willing to develop these skills
• Is caring, patient, adaptable and enthusiastic
• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding, child protection and promoting the welfare of children.
• Understands the importance of professional conduct and maintaining appropriate boundaries when working with children.

What We Offer

• A welcoming and supportive team
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to staff wellbeing initiatives
• The opportunity to make a real difference to a child's educational journey

Safeguarding Statement

The Federation of the Church Schools of Shalfleet and Freshwater & Yarmouth is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to:

• An Enhanced DBS Check with Children's Barred List Check
• Online searches as part of the safer recruitment process
• Receipt of satisfactory references
• Verification of qualifications
• Verification of identity and right to work in the UK
• Prohibition checks where applicable

We are committed to safer recruitment practices in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2026).

For further information and an application pack, please contact Sarah Woodburn, School Business Manager at sbm@fosay.co.uk

Closing Date: Midday, 2nd October 2026

PLEASE NOTE: Not all school staff are employed directly by the Isle of Wight Council, you can ask on application who the employer for this role will be.

To discover more about our careers please visit Jobs and careers - Isle of Wight

Find out more about Our culture and environment & living on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by the following;

unacceptable behaviour policy

employee code of conduct

We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and we provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees.

The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via adverts@iow.gov.uk if you would like to receive a copy.

The Isle of Wight Council is an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community. In addition to this, we are also a Disability Confident Employer. Along with a number of other areas of commitments, this means that providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.

The management reporting line for this role is ultimately through the Isle of Wight Council Children’s Services directorate.

This council and its schools recruit according to the council’s Recruitment, Policy and Procedure and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.