Early Years Practitioner / EYFS Lead
September 2026 or January 2027 start.
Location: Imperial Wharf, Chelsea (Hammersmith & Fulham), London
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience and level of responsibility
Contract: Full-time, Permanent (Monday to Friday)
At First Bridge School, we are looking for an Early Years Practitioner or EYFS Lead to support and help shape high-quality Early Years provision for young autistic children in a specialist school environment.
About First Bridge School
First Bridge School is a DfE-registered specialist SEND school for pupils aged 2 to 11 with autism and complex developmental needs, located in Chelsea, London.
Our Early Years provision is where many of our pupils begin their journey with us. You will be working with children at the start of their educational experience, in an environment built from the ground up to meet the needs of young autistic learners.
This is not a mainstream Early Years setting. The successful candidate will work daily alongside teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Behaviour Specialists within a fully integrated therapeutic model.
The Role
We are looking for a skilled Early Years Practitioner, or an experienced practitioner ready to take on EYFS Lead responsibilities, to support pupils aged 2 to 5 with autism and complex developmental needs. You will contribute to structured, play-based and EHCP-aligned learning, working closely with teachers, Teaching Assistants and a multidisciplinary clinical team.
Your focus will be early communication, personal care, independence, emotional regulation and the foundational skills that support long-term development. Where appointed at EYFS Lead level, you will also help lead day-to-day practice, model high standards and support consistency across the Early Years team.
Key Responsibilities
- Support and deliver individualised Early Years provision aligned to EHCP outcomes and EYFS principles
- Use autism-specific strategies including structured routines, visual supports and communication systems
- Create a predictable, sensory-considered and emotionally safe learning environment
- Support early communication development in partnership with the SaLT team
- Support personal care routines, independence and self-help skills with dignity and professionalism
- Differentiate activities for pupils at varying developmental stages, including pre-verbal pupils
- Implement positive behaviour support strategies consistently and calmly
- Contribute to observation, assessment, tracking and EHCP review processes
- Collaborate with teachers, OT, SaLT and Behaviour Specialists to ensure integrated approaches
- Maintain strong, professional communication with parents and carers
- For EYFS Lead applicants: support planning, model good practice, guide colleagues and help maintain high standards across the provision
- Uphold safeguarding and SEND best practice at all times
Requirements
Essential
- Relevant Early Years qualification, ideally Level 3 or above
- Experience working with children in Early Years, nursery, reception, SEND or specialist provision
- Understanding of EYFS principles and child development
- Ability to support children with autism, communication needs and behaviour differences
- Calm, consistent and nurturing approach to supporting young children
- Confidence with observation, assessment and recording progress
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Willingness to support personal care, routines and regulation needs
- For EYFS Lead applicants: experience supporting colleagues, leading practice or taking responsibility for an area of Early Years provision
Desirable
- Experience in SEND or autism-specialist settings
- Knowledge of autism-specific approaches such as TEACCH, PECS or Intensive Interaction
- Experience working alongside SaLT, OT or clinical colleagues
- Experience with pre-verbal or minimally verbal pupils aged 2 to 5
- Leadership, room lead, key person, SEN support or EYFS coordination experience
- Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Teacher Status or a higher Early Years qualification would be advantageous but is not essential unless appointed into a teaching post
What You Get
- Competitive salary
- Manageable workload with realistic expectations for planning and admin
- Daily collaboration with therapists (SALT, OT, Behaviour Specialists)
- Strong staff support model (no isolated teaching)
- Funded professional development in SEND, autism, and specialist education
- Clear career progression pathways
- 34 days' holiday
- Laptop for work and home use
Who This Role Is For
- Early Years practitioners who want to specialise in SEND and autism
- Practitioners or room leads who are confident supporting communication, regulation and independence
- Professionals motivated by developmental progress, not standardised attainment data
- People who value structured, purposeful and therapeutic learning environments
- EYFS Leads who want genuine multidisciplinary collaboration, not isolated leadership
Who This Role Is Not For
- Practitioners seeking a mainstream nursery or traditional Early Years environment
- Those uncomfortable supporting pupils with complex needs, personal care or behaviour differences
- Practitioners who prefer unstructured or highly flexible approaches without consistent routines
Safeguarding
We expect everybody to share our commitment to safeguarding.
Our vacancies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Pre-employment checks are carried out, professional references sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks.
We comply with the DBS code of practice. As such, having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us; the nature of the position and the circumstances and context of your offences will be considered.
Online Searches
An online search is carried out on all shortlisted candidates.
Share An Initial Interest
Please submit your CV and a brief statement outlining why you would like to work at FBS and how you feel your experience makes you a suitable candidate for this role.
Apply
After expressing an initial interest and reviewing the information on our website, suitable applicants will be invited to an initial screening phone call and to complete our application form.
Trial Visit & Formal Interview
Applicants who are shortlisted will be required to attend an assessment and interview day.
Referral Awards
We offer referral awards to existing colleagues for recommending people who come to work with us.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Private medical insurance
Ability to commute/relocate:
- London SW6 2PY: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- Relevant Early Years qualification, ideally Level 3 or above?
Education:
- Diploma of Higher Education (required)
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 3 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
