Location
222 Upper St, London

Hours
Full Time - 35 hours per week, all year round. Some Saturday availability required.

Salary
£38,637 per annum

About the Role
An exciting fixed-term maternity cover opportunity to join Bright Start Islington, a vibrant multi-agency network supporting families with children under 5. As an Early Childhood Practitioner within the Bright Start Central team, you will plan and deliver daily stay and play sessions across different centres and outdoor spaces in the Central locality. This role is ideal for someone passionate about young children and the outdoors. You will use your strong Early Years Foundation Stage knowledge to create fun, creative, and engaging play activities for children and their families. Additionally, you will act as a role model, promoting effective early years and childcare practice, and supporting staff where necessary. Bright Start Islington is committed to providing high quality activities and services that support children's independence, skill development, and family support networks during these critical early years.

Benefits
Islington Council is committed to challenging inequality and creating a diverse, inclusive workplace. Staff benefits include up to 31 days annual leave (increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service), flexible working arrangements, a 35-hour working week, learning and development opportunities, competitive pay with a commitment to the London Living Wage minimum, an excellent local government pension scheme, Cycle to Work scheme, discounted gym memberships, and local discounts at restaurants, shops, and health and beauty providers.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Islington Council fosters an inclusive and equitable workforce where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The council maintains a zero-tolerance approach to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on any protected grounds. It actively promotes diversity and inclusion through transparent policies, data-driven initiatives, and collaboration with Colleague Forums and Trade Unions. All employees are encouraged to live the council’s CARE values: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering.

Pre-Employment Checks
Employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks including proof of address, right to work in the UK, references, occupational health clearance, professional qualifications, and an enhanced DBS check with children’s barred list where applicable.

Safeguarding
The council is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This post requires an enhanced DBS check with children’s barred list, qualifications check, and 3-5 years of references.

Disability Confident Scheme
Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and provides support for reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and career.

Experience
This vacancy is internal only and open to current Islington Council employees and agency workers on assignment. Experience working with young children and knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage are essential. Experience in planning and delivering stay and play sessions and working outdoors is highly desirable.

About you
You are a highly skilled, dedicated, and enthusiastic practitioner with a passion for early childhood development and outdoor activities. You are resourceful, able to plan creative and engaging activities, and act as a role model promoting best practice. You work well within a team and can support and direct staff when necessary. You share the council’s values of being collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering.

Qualifications
You must hold relevant professional qualifications in early childhood education or childcare appropriate to a Scale 6 Early Childhood Practitioner role. You will be subject to enhanced DBS checks and required pre-employment verification of qualifications.