Preschool Practitioner (Maternity Cover)

Contract: Fixed Term until October 2026

Hours: 35.83 hours, 39 weeks (term time plus one week)

Working pattern: 8.20am – 4pm, Monday to Friday

Salary: Pathway 2, £20,885 – £22,244 per year, plus £1,331 for room leadership (FTE: £25,185 – £26,824

Site: Gladstone Primary Academy

Closing date:  4th January 2026

Start date:  Asap

Please note the trust may decide to withdraw the advert before the closing date or interview suitable candidates prior to the advert closing.  

Are you passionate about early years education and ready to make a meaningful impact in a vibrant, multicultural community?

Do you have a Level 3 Early Years Educator Qualification?

If so, Gladstone Primary Academy would love to hear from you!

Your role:

As a Preschool Practitioner and Room Leader, you’ll work closely with the Preschool Manager and team to deliver high-quality care and education tailored to each child’s individual needs. You’ll lead the daily operations within your designated room, ensuring a safe, stimulating environment that promotes emotional, physical, and intellectual development. You’ll support the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum through engaging adult-led and child-initiated activities, while acting as a positive role model and building strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues. In this role, you will take responsibility for organising your room’s routines and activities, observing and assessing children’s progress, supporting mealtimes, contributing to weekly planning, and ensuring safeguarding and health and safety procedures are followed at all times.

To thrive in this role, you’ll need a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and resilient in a busy preschool setting. Experience in a similar role and knowledge of child development, EYFS, and safeguarding practices are desirable.

Fluency Duty: As this role involves direct interaction with the public, it is essential that the candidate meets the Fluency Duty requirements as outlined in the Immigration Act 2016. The successful candidate must demonstrate fluency in English to ensure effective communication with our staff, parents and pupils.

About us:

Gladstone Park Preschool is a warm, inclusive and well-established part of Gladstone Primary Academy, offering a safe and stimulating environment where children are encouraged to explore, play and grow. Our preschool team is passionate about nurturing each child’s development through a rich EYFS curriculum and strong partnerships with families.

As part of Gladstone Primary Academy and the Thomas Deacon Education Trust (TDET), you’ll join a forward-thinking organisation that values collaboration, professional growth and shared success. You’ll work alongside dedicated colleagues in a supportive, multicultural community that celebrates diversity and encourages innovation.

Why work for us?:

Join Thomas Deacon Education Trust and be part of a dedicated team committed to "working together to transform lives through education.”  To learn more about the benefits we have on offer, check out our video here: Employee Benefits

At TDET, 95% of our new employees highly rate our induction programme. Benefit from the unwavering support of our dedicated staff, ensuring you feel welcomed and well-prepared from day one.  According to our 2025 staff survey, 91% of staff are proud to work for TDET!

Ready to transform lives through education?  Apply now and make a difference!

TDET - Working together to transform lives through education

Thomas Deacon Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Academy will require the successful candidate to provide satisfactory references and undertake an Enhanced Check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

At Thomas Deacon Education Trust, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Join us in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all contributions are valued.

If you have any questions regarding this post, please contact the HR Team on e-mail at  hrteam@tdet.education