The Post
This is a key post delivering early years learning to children from 2 years and 9 months to 5 years old in a kindergarten within the faculty and working in a team of early years specialists. As a member of the kindergarten team the postholder will work with academic staff to ensure the efficient delivery of this learning, that services are delivered to the highest standard when and where they are needed, that skills are kept up-to-date and that the highest health and safety standards are maintained at all times.
The kindergarten delivers learning in an effective high quality establishment for children from 2 years and 9 months to 5 years old to allow their study by academics and students. This includes providing a safe, caring environment to enable the emotional, social and educational development of children, through individual attention and group activities. The role will assist in the management, planning and implementing of protocols and procedures and to promote the safeguarding and welfare of the children, staff and parents/carers.
Kindergarten staff contracts reflect school terms times on an annualised basis.
Additional Information/Special Conditions
- PVG Membership
- SSSC Registration
Description of Duties
- Understand and contribute to the development and achievement of the faculty and kindergarten’s aims and objectives and promote high quality standards to parents/carers, research staff and visitors
- Assist in the management, planning and implementing of protocols and procedures and to promote the safeguarding and welfare of the children, staff and parents/carers
- Deputise for the manager in their absence, being responsible for delivering a quality curriculum and ensuring compliance with regulations and quality standards
- Assist with the implementation of administrative procedures involved with registration, place allocation, and other related matters
- Actively promote and support the safeguarding of children, ensuring that all staff, students and volunteers observe kindergarten policies and procedures to keep children safe from harm
- Facilitate research and teaching activities at the playgroup; liaise with students and researchers to ensure appropriate resources and comply with the university and ethical guidelines and policies for carrying out child development research and teaching
- Ensure the kindergarten maintains a high standard of physical and emotional care for all the children
- Develop and implement systems and protocols to monitor and record child development and care plans
- Work collaboratively with the Kindergarten Manager to observe, record and assess children, contributing to individual learning plans and profiles
- Maintain a responsive curriculum to meet the needs of individual children from differing cultures and religious backgrounds, and stages of development
- Manage the kindergarten’s physical resources, identifying gaps and keeping the inventory up to date
- Ensure high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at all times and cleaning records are up-to-date
- Respect and ensure confidentiality at all times
- Share in the supervision of supply, voluntary staff and work placement students. Dealing with induction, definition of duties and ensuring good practices at all times
- 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
- Communicate and network effectively within the university and with external agencies
- Assist the manager with the efficient upkeep of the facility and maintenance/stock of equipment, furnishings and fittings
- Ensure appropriate health and safety standards for the needs of young children and ensuring staff compliance and awareness, maintain staff awareness of fire drills in accordance with the code of practice
- Service the Kindergarten Committee, working with the Chair to prepare agendas and papers. To take minutes and follow-up on actions
- Undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined from time to time by the Kindergarten Manager
- Contribute to the identification of own training needs and undertake relevant training courses in order to evidence continuing professional
Essential Criteria
Skills, Aptitude, Knowledge and Experience
- Considerable, extensive experience of working within a childcare playgroup
- 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
Personal Qualities
- 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
- Flexibility – occasionally working hours might be changed, e.g. if the playgroup hosts an Open Day
- Showing initiative and independent
Qualifications
- Completion of relevant qualification recognised by SSSC as senior early years practitioner (i.e. PD8+)
- 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
- A positive approach to learning and gaining new skills through teamwork and training opportunities
- An interest in extending outdoor learning provision
- An understanding of staff induction, supervision, and appraisal processes
- Experience in managing staff, and motivating teams
Personal Qualities
- Leadership and management skills
- Able to work in small team, motivate others and organise supply staff’s duties
- Enthusiasm for working with young children
Qualifications
- Completion (or be working towards completion) of a relevant qualification recognised by SSSC as lead practitioner/childcare management qualification (i.e. PDA 9)
- Completion of Safeguarding training course within last year
- Health & Safety training 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 14 June 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role will require membership of the PVG scheme. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.
This role 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.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
- Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
- Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
- Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
The University
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 were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and 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 are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). 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 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 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 three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
Job Reference: SERV02081
