Early Years Officer

Early Years Officer Apply

Early Years Officer Apply

The Post

• To work under the direction of the manager and senior early years officer (SEYO)
• To support the aims and objectives of the Kindergarten and assist the manager and SEYO in the organisation of a high-quality establishment for children from 2 years and 9 months to 5 years
• To provide high standards of childcare and education - this includes providing a safe, caring environment to enable the emotional, social and educational development of children, through individual attention and group activities
• To support supply staff as well as research students as indicated by the Kindergarten manager
• To fulfil safeguarding duties along with the manager and SEYO (and in their absence) for the kindergarten to promote the safeguarding and welfare of the children, staff and parents/carers

Kindergarten staff contracts reflect school terms times on an annualised basis.

Description of Duties

• To promote the aims and objectives of the Psychology Kindergarten; interacting effectively and enthusiastically with children by engaging them in learning activities appropriate to their needs
• To promote the high standards of the kindergarten at all times to parents/carers, research staff and visitors
• To assist the manager in showing parents/carers as well as students and researchers around the facilities
• To ensure the Kindergarten maintains a high standard of care
• To assist the manager in supervising supply staff and research students and to ensure good practice at all times
• To assist the kindergarten manager in ensuring that the Kindergarten guidelines and procedures are adhered to at all times
• To assist with the development and implementation of systems and protocols to monitor and record child development such as the newly created record of development and care plan
• To contribute effectively to the delivery of curriculum to meet the needs of individual children from differing cultures and religious backgrounds, and stages of development
• To assist with the preparation and maintenance of materials and equipment to provide a safe and stimulating environment, carrying out daily checks on the resources and request to reply faulty or damaged items
• Work as part of a team ensuring appropriate Health and Safety standards for the needs of young children and ensuring staff compliance and awareness
• To ensure high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times and cleaning records are up to date
• To ensure confidentiality of information received
• To respond appropriately to challenging situations or to support families when needed
• To comply with staff development and training
• Liaise with parents/carers, other family members and staff to help ensure that the particular needs of children are met and that parental choice is considered in terms of care given
• To liaise with outside agencies as required
• Assist the manager with the efficient upkeep of the building and maintenance/stock of equipment, furnishings and fittings
• Maintaining staff awareness of fire drill in accordance with the code of practice
• To attend training sessions outside working hours if required
• To undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined from time to time by the Kindergarten manager
• To actively promote and support the safeguarding of children and young people in the workplace, ensuring that all staff and volunteers observe Kindergarten policies and procedures to keep children safe from harm

Essential Criteria

Skills, Aptitude, Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in working with young children
• An understanding of staff induction, supervision, and appraisal processes
• Previous experience of caring for or working with children aged 0-5 in a voluntary or paid capacity
• A commitment to the provision of high-quality childcare with an interest in the care, learning and development of young children
• Knowledge of the National Standards for the regulation of Childcare provision
• A thorough understanding of Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC

Personal Qualities

• Enthusiasm for working with young children
• Good organisational, record keeping and planning skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with colleagues, parents, carers and children
• A positive approach to inclusive practice, with children, colleagues, parents and carers
• Punctuality
• Patience
• Reliability and trustworthiness
• Showing initiative and independent thinking

Qualifications

• Experience of working within an early years setting with children 3 to 5 years of age
• Completion of HNC in Childhood Practice (SCQF at level 7) or equivalent qualification recognised by SSSC as early years practitioner
• Completion of Safeguarding training course within last 3 years –
• Completion of First Aid Paediatric course within the last 3 years
• A positive approach to gaining further qualifications
• Understanding of the importance of Health & Safety and Food Hygiene in the workplace

Desirable Criteria

Skills, Aptitude, Knowledge and Experience

• Proven administrative experience, including handling confidential staff and child records
• Experience in delivering a child-centred curriculum
• Experience of establishing learning areas and identifying appropriate resources to extend learning
• An interest in extending outdoor learning provision
• A positive approach to learning and gaining new skills through teamwork and training opportunities
• Awareness of Stirling Council Play and Learning Framework

Personal Qualities

• Management skills
• Flexibility – occasionally working hours might be changed, e.g. training events for continued professional development
• Able to work in small team

Qualifications

• Be working towards completion of an additional relevant qualification in Early Years Childcare recognised by SSSC.
• Completion of Safeguarding/Child Protection training course within last year
• Health & Safety certificate
• Paediatric First Aid certificate
• Completion of Food hygiene and health safety course
• Completion of other relevant courses.

Additional Information

Full time
Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 11 October 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role will require a membership of the PVG scheme. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.

This post may be eligible for sponsorship, depending on candidate circumstances, under SOC code 3232.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

About Us

Information Services delivers the library, IT, digital learning technology and other information needs and services to enable all students and staff of the University of Stirling to learn, research and work here. Our mission is to equip and empower our users and ourselves to function and achieve successful outcomes in the digital age. We strive to achieving excellent customer service and always aim to exceed our users' expectations.

The University

The University of Stirling is Scottish University of the Year 2027 and UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide).

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

We are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and, in recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 200 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver major University-led projects, the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub and Scotland’s International Environment Centre. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number

SERV02129

Contract Type

Open Ended

Posting End Date

11-Oct-2026

Location:

Stirling Campus

Salary

Grade5 £26,707 - £29,588 p.a.

Faculty/Service

Information Services

The Post

• To work under the direction of the manager and senior early years officer (SEYO)
• To support the aims and objectives of the Kindergarten and assist the manager and SEYO in the organisation of a high-quality establishment for children from 2 years and 9 months to 5 years
• To provide high standards of childcare and education - this includes providing a safe, caring environment to enable the emotional, social and educational development of children, through individual attention and group activities
• To support supply staff as well as research students as indicated by the Kindergarten manager
• To fulfil safeguarding duties along with the manager and SEYO (and in their absence) for the kindergarten to promote the safeguarding and welfare of the children, staff and parents/carers

Kindergarten staff contracts reflect school terms times on an annualised basis.

Description of Duties

• To promote the aims and objectives of the Psychology Kindergarten; interacting effectively and enthusiastically with children by engaging them in learning activities appropriate to their needs
• To promote the high standards of the kindergarten at all times to parents/carers, research staff and visitors
• To assist the manager in showing parents/carers as well as students and researchers around the facilities
• To ensure the Kindergarten maintains a high standard of care
• To assist the manager in supervising supply staff and research students and to ensure good practice at all times
• To assist the kindergarten manager in ensuring that the Kindergarten guidelines and procedures are adhered to at all times
• To assist with the development and implementation of systems and protocols to monitor and record child development such as the newly created record of development and care plan
• To contribute effectively to the delivery of curriculum to meet the needs of individual children from differing cultures and religious backgrounds, and stages of development
• To assist with the preparation and maintenance of materials and equipment to provide a safe and stimulating environment, carrying out daily checks on the resources and request to reply faulty or damaged items
• Work as part of a team ensuring appropriate Health and Safety standards for the needs of young children and ensuring staff compliance and awareness
• To ensure high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times and cleaning records are up to date
• To ensure confidentiality of information received
• To respond appropriately to challenging situations or to support families when needed
• To comply with staff development and training
• Liaise with parents/carers, other family members and staff to help ensure that the particular needs of children are met and that parental choice is considered in terms of care given
• To liaise with outside agencies as required
• Assist the manager with the efficient upkeep of the building and maintenance/stock of equipment, furnishings and fittings
• Maintaining staff awareness of fire drill in accordance with the code of practice
• To attend training sessions outside working hours if required
• To undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined from time to time by the Kindergarten manager
• To actively promote and support the safeguarding of children and young people in the workplace, ensuring that all staff and volunteers observe Kindergarten policies and procedures to keep children safe from harm

Essential Criteria

Skills, Aptitude, Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in working with young children
• An understanding of staff induction, supervision, and appraisal processes
• Previous experience of caring for or working with children aged 0-5 in a voluntary or paid capacity
• A commitment to the provision of high-quality childcare with an interest in the care, learning and development of young children
• Knowledge of the National Standards for the regulation of Childcare provision
• A thorough understanding of Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC

Personal Qualities

• Enthusiasm for working with young children
• Good organisational, record keeping and planning skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with colleagues, parents, carers and children
• A positive approach to inclusive practice, with children, colleagues, parents and carers
• Punctuality
• Patience
• Reliability and trustworthiness
• Showing initiative and independent thinking

Qualifications

• Experience of working within an early years setting with children 3 to 5 years of age
• Completion of HNC in Childhood Practice (SCQF at level 7) or equivalent qualification recognised by SSSC as early years practitioner
• Completion of Safeguarding training course within last 3 years –
• Completion of First Aid Paediatric course within the last 3 years
• A positive approach to gaining further qualifications
• Understanding of the importance of Health & Safety and Food Hygiene in the workplace

Desirable Criteria

Skills, Aptitude, Knowledge and Experience

• Proven administrative experience, including handling confidential staff and child records
• Experience in delivering a child-centred curriculum
• Experience of establishing learning areas and identifying appropriate resources to extend learning
• An interest in extending outdoor learning provision
• A positive approach to learning and gaining new skills through teamwork and training opportunities
• Awareness of Stirling Council Play and Learning Framework

Personal Qualities

• Management skills
• Flexibility – occasionally working hours might be changed, e.g. training events for continued professional development
• Able to work in small team

Qualifications

• Be working towards completion of an additional relevant qualification in Early Years Childcare recognised by SSSC.
• Completion of Safeguarding/Child Protection training course within last year
• Health & Safety certificate
• Paediatric First Aid certificate
• Completion of Food hygiene and health safety course
• Completion of other relevant courses.

Additional Information

Full time
Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 11 October 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role will require a membership of the PVG scheme. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.

This post may be eligible for sponsorship, depending on candidate circumstances, under SOC code 3232.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

About Us

Information Services delivers the library, IT, digital learning technology and other information needs and services to enable all students and staff of the University of Stirling to learn, research and work here. Our mission is to equip and empower our users and ourselves to function and achieve successful outcomes in the digital age. We strive to achieving excellent customer service and always aim to exceed our users' expectations.

The University

The University of Stirling is Scottish University of the Year 2027 and UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide).

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

We are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and, in recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 200 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver major University-led projects, the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub and Scotland’s International Environment Centre. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

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