Early Years Specialist Teaching Assistant

Now Hiring: Early Years Specialist – Support Learning Through Phonics, Play & Positive Development

Location: Newport
Start Date: April/May 2025
Salary: From £89 per day
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Full-time & part-time available)

Are you passionate about early childhood development? Do you believe in the power of positive play and phonics-based learning to spark curiosity and confidence in young children? If so, this is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference during the most important stage of a child's learning journey.

About the Role:

Teaching Personnel is working with a welcoming primary school in Newport seeking a caring and creative Early Years Specialist to support children in Nursery and Reception. This role centres around phonics delivery, language development, and learning through play—creating a nurturing space where children feel safe, valued, and eager to learn.

You’ll work alongside class teachers and the school’s SENCO to deliver small-group and 1:1 support, with a strong focus on communication, early literacy, and personal, social, and emotional development.

Key Responsibilities:

Deliver engaging phonics sessions using structured schemes (e.g., Jolly Phonics, Read Write Inc)
Encourage learning through play, exploration, and hands-on activities
Support speech, language, and communication development
Foster emotional well-being and help build confidence and independence
Work 1:1 and in small groups to support children with ALN/SEN needs
Create a safe, stimulating, and inclusive learning environment
Observe and track progress to support ongoing learning plans

We’re Looking For Someone Who:

✅ Has experience in an Early Years setting (Nursery or Reception)
✅ Understands early child development and EYFS curriculum
✅ Is confident delivering phonics and supporting early reading
✅ Brings a playful, patient, and nurturing approach to learning
✅ Can adapt activities to suit children’s needs and learning styles
✅ Experience with speech and language support or ALN is a bonus—but training is available

Requirements:

EWC (Education Workforce Council) registration
Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (child-only)
Two professional references from the last 24 months

Why This Role Matters:

Early childhood is where the foundation for all future learning is built. By supporting young learners through phonics and purposeful play, you’ll help develop not just key skills, but also curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Why Join This School?

✨ Inclusive and nurturing school culture
✨ Creative, play-based approach to learning
✨ Opportunity to gain meaningful experience in early education
✨ Ongoing professional development and support from Teaching Personnel

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
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