Senior Early Years Practitioner - Gorebridge Primary School

Job Vacancy

We have an exciting opportunity to support Gorebridge Primary ELC as a SEYP.

This is a one-year maternity cover, starting in August 2026.

We are looking for someone who currently is a SEYP (perhaps seeking a new challenge or to extend your experience in a different context) or an EYP with aspirations.

We are seeking practitioners with experience in an ELC environment.

We are looking for someone who is:

Caring, warm and an enthusiastic, practitioner who has a passion for Early Years.

Able to lead and support ELC staff in planning delivering and evaluating a high quality, inclusive early years curriculum that meets the needs of all learners

Has strong leadership qualities combined with good communication, organisational, motivational, and interpersonal skills

Able to promote strong partnerships with families, carers and relevant agencies to support children’s learning and wellbeing.

Contribute to quality improvement, service development and self-evaluation processes

If you are interested in this opportunity then please discuss with your line manager in the first instance.

If you would then like to be considered for this role, please email Stephanie Palmer (Head Teacher) at s.palmer@midlothian.education with an expression of your interest in approx. 500 words by Tuesday 21^st April.

CLOSING DATE - Tuesday 21 April 2026

INTERVIEW DATE - Thursday 14 May 2026

Job Advert

Essential

You must have experience in a Childcare environment and hold a practitioner level qualification (e.g. SVQ3 in Childcare & Early Years Education or an HNC in Childcare and Education, or equivalent) that meets the requirements for SSSC (Scottish Social Services Council) registration. Qualifications which were previously recognised for SNNEB/NNEB registration may be acceptable.

It is desirable for jobholders to hold the Level 2 Child Protection and Risk Assessment and Process Training; the Elementary Food Hygiene and First Aid for Childcare Certificate.

It is essential that candidates have proven leadership qualities combined with good communication, organisational, motivational, and interpersonal skills. Evidence of good team working and collaboration skills is required along with a flexible and responsive approach, self motivation, the ability to work under pressure as well as the capability to take on additional responsibilities as and when required. Evidence of embracing innovative and creative practice is also an essential requirement to be considered for this role. Candidates must be able to demonstrate a passion and flair for working with young children and families as well as a commitment to equality and social inclusion. Good experience of developing self reflection and evaluative skills is also required. Candidates must have experience of the development and implementation of service plans and programmes and be able to demonstrate experience of participation in local networking and working groups.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate a sound working knowledge of young children’s learning and development, local and national policy, research, legislation and documentation. Candidates are required to show a good understanding of the nature of quality ELC as defined by current guidelines and legislation.

Desirable

BA in Childhood Practices

Froebel qualification

It is desirable that candidates have experience of supporting children with ASN, a knowledge of positive behaviour strategies, and experience of using a family learning approach to support children and families.

 

Position Title: Senior Early Years Practitioner

Directorate: Children, Young People and Partnership

Working from Home: No

Location: Gorebridge Primary School

Contract Status: Fixed term until 29/06/2027

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

Working Pattern: Mon-Thurs 08:00-16:15 and Friday 08:00-13:00

Weeks per year: 39

Please note that it is Midlothian Councils policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.

Based on 36 hours over 39 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £34,925.20 per annum.

Requirements

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children.
Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you. For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk

Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way PVG certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

Additional Information

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email the Recruitment Team at recruitment@midlothian.gov.uk stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.