Nursery Practitioner

Cornwall Council · Penzance

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Newlyn School is seeking a warm, positive and motivated Nursery Practitioner to join our growing Early Years team. We are looking for someone with a calm, nurturing approach who also brings ambition, creativity and high expectations for every child. Our ideal candidate will be passionate about supporting young learners to grow, explore and thrive in a rich and inspiring environment.

This role is for 15 hours per week. Morning or afternoons or a flexible working pattern over 2-3 days term time only.

Nursery opening times are 9:00am until 3:00pm daily with wraparound from 8:00am – 9:00am and from 3:00pm until 5:30pm daily.

As a Nursery Practitioner at Newlyn School, you will work closely with teaching colleagues and Early Years staff to deliver high quality learning experiences through play based, child centred provision. You will be confident in leading small groups, supporting individual children, and contributing to purposeful activities that promote communication, early literacy, early mathematics, social development and independence.

In the Early Years at Newlyn School, every interaction matters. We are looking for a practitioner who can provide:

High Quality Interactions
 

• Engage children in purposeful conversations that extend their language, curiosity and critical thinking.
• Use open ended questions, modelling, repetition and rich vocabulary to deepen learning.
• Tune in to children’s interests and follow their lead, supporting sustained shared thinking.

Emotion Coaching & Nurture
 

• Use emotion coaching strategies to help children understand, label and regulate their feelings.
• Support children to develop empathy, resilience and positive relationships through co regulation.
• Model warm, predictable and emotionally safe interactions that build trust and confidence.
• Progressive, Play Based Learning
• Plan and facilitate rich, meaningful experiences in continuous provision that link directly to learning goals.
• Adapt activities so children of all needs and abilities can access, explore and progress at their own pace.
• Observe children closely and use these observations to shape next steps in learning.
  Early Phonics & Pre Literacy
• Support children with early phonics, focusing on developing listening skills, sound discrimination, oral blending and segmenting.
• Create playful, multisensory opportunities for early reading and mark making.
  Build early literacy confidence through songs, rhymes, rhythm, storytelling, and sound rich environments.

This dedicated EYFS practice is woven into everything we do; the right candidate will bring enthusiasm, curiosity and professional skill to each moment of learning through play.

The successful candidate will:

• Support the planning and delivery of engaging, inclusive Early Years learning opportunities.
• Work 1:1, with small groups and as part of whole class provision under the guidance of the Nursery management team and EYFS Lead.
• Help create a nurturing, stimulating environment where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive.
• Contribute to observations, assessments and next steps that inform children’s progress and development.
• Support personalised provision, including for children with additional needs, helping every child access learning successfully.
• Build warm, trusting relationships with children, families and colleagues.
• Engage fully with all aspects of school life—including Forest School, Beach School, clubs and wrap around care where possible. There are also opportunities to support with Holiday Club events should you wish to.

At Newlyn School, we value staff development highly. You will have access to a robust training package that includes:
 

• High quality teaching and learning strategies
• Therapeutic approaches
• Pedagogical development aligned with best Early Years practice
• Ongoing CPD opportunities to support you to grow, specialise and make a meaningful difference

Our Vision

At Newlyn School we are deeply committed to ensuring all children become confident, ambitious, curious learners who leave us proud of who they are and where they come from. We guide children to achieve well academically, grow emotionally and socially, and develop a strong sense of identity and belonging within our community.
 

We are incredibly proud of our nurturing and inclusive environment, and we warmly welcome applications from those who share our vision. We strongly encourage prospective applicants to arrange a personalised visit—come and witness the joy, creativity and community spirit that make Newlyn School such a special place.

About You:

You will have a child-centered approach, and will provide a creative, inclusive and challenging curriculum which inspires and motivates children and supports high quality teaching and learning both indoors and out.

We are looking for someone who:
 

• Is flexible, enthusiastic and eager to be part of a collaborative, supportive team.
• Places children’s needs, wellbeing and happiness at the heart of their practice.
• Brings creativity and adaptability to design learning experiences accessible to all children.
• Is reflective, proactive and committed to continuous professional growth.
• Has experience supporting young children, including those with SEND (desirable but not essential).
• Shows passion, warmth, patience and a genuine love of Early Years education.
   

For more information and to apply please click here. 

We are committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be assessed against the Childcare Disqualification Regulations. 

This is not a Cornwall Council vacancy therefore please contact the organisation direct for further information.

Organisation address: Newlyn CP School, Carne Road, Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall,
TR18 5QA

Contact detail: Lauren Huntington

Email: recruitment@tpacademytrust.org

Website: https://www.newlynschool.co.uk/

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