Job Descriptions

Early Years Teacher Job Description

What is the job description of an Early Years Teacher? What are the duties and responsibilities of an Early Years Teacher? What does an Early Years Teacher do?

Job description of an Early Years Teacher

Early years or nursery teachers work in pre-school, nursery and reception classes with children aged between three and five. They plan and carry out activities in line with early years foundation stage. This involves developing work schemes and lessons plans to motivate children and imaginatively using resources to help them learn.

Early years teachers develop the social and communication skills of children and provide a safe and secure environment in which the child can learn. They build and maintain relationships with parents/guardians to further support pupils as well as operate within multi-agency networks to ensure the correct support is available.

Early years teachers record observations and summarise the children’s achievements. They focus on optimum child development and preparation for a successful transition to primary school education.

This Early Years Teacher job description example includes the list of most important Early Years Teacher duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Early Years Teacher profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Early Years Teacher Duties and Responsibilities

Early Years Teacher job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Developing and producing visual aids and teaching resources;
  • Organising learning materials and resources and making imaginative use of resources;
  • Developing children’s curiosity and knowledge;
  • Working with others, including teaching assistants and/or nursery nurses as well as volunteer helpers, to plan and coordinate work both indoors and outdoors;
  • Observing, assessing and recording each child’s progress;
  • Attending in-service training;
  • Sharing knowledge gained with other practitioners and parents;
  • Providing pastoral care and support to children and providing them with a secure environment to learn;
  • Motivating and stimulating children’s learning abilities, often encouraging learning through experience;
  • Ensuring the health and safety of children and staff is maintained during all activities, both inside and outside the nursery/school;
  • Keeping up to date with changes in the curriculum and developments in best practice.
  • Assisting with the development of children’s personal/social and language abilities;
  • Supporting the development of children’s basic skills, including physical coordination, speech and communication;
  • Encouraging children’s mathematical and creative development through stories, songs, games, drawing and imaginative play;

Early Years Teacher Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Early Years Teacher job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • Degree in Education, with a focus on early childhood development.
  • Experience working with young children in a classroom setting.
  • Ability to communicate with young children at their level.
  • Patient, compassionate attitude, with a friendly, energetic disposition.
  • Good mediation and nurturing abilities.
  • Creative mindset with an ability to create memorable, out-of-the-box lessons.
  • Passion for shaping and inspiring young minds.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Ability to serve as a positive role model.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Early Years Teacher starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Early Years Teacher job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of an Early Years Teacher may also reference it in preparation for the interview.