Join Early Years – the organisation for young children as Early Years Quality Advisor

Location: South Eastern Area, Southern Area, a hybrid working policy is in place

Hours: 37 hours

Tenure: Fixed Term Contract until December 2025 (with the potential to be extended subject to funding)

Salary: NJC Scale, Point 23 (£32,076) per annum pro rata

Do you have a passion for making a meaningful impact in early childhood education? Do you believe in the power of play to unlock potential? Be part of our team and help shape the futures of children by fostering growth and learning through purposeful opportunities.

At Early Years, we are committed to fostering growth for both the children and our staff. Joining means an opportunity to enhance your skills, make a meaningful difference, and collaborate with a team that upholds dedication, compassion, and excellence in early years care and education.

In return, Early Years provides a comprehensive rewards package, including a competitive salary, 36 days of annual leave (pro-rata), inclusive of statutory/public holidays, a contributory pension scheme, options to purchase additional leave, and access to healthcare schemes.

The role

The Early Years Quality Advisor (EYQA) will be responsible for the programmatic development, delivery, co-ordination and quality assurance within the pre-school sector. The EYQA will also contribute to the delivery of existing services and developments within the Early Years portfolio, with a clear focus on leading improvements within the sector.

To promote and support the development of early years settings, demonstrating a strong commitment to improvement and the ability to respond to expectations of the sector relating to outstanding practice. With a focus on clear, timebound evidence demonstrating sustained and high-level improvements to practice and / or leadership of a setting.

To demonstrate a commitment to excellence in all the services provided by the organisation and to settings through specialist, highly effective and timebound support. Focusing on high quality learning and care for children, families and communities.

We're looking for people who:

At the closing date have:

Essential Criteria

At the closing date applicants, must have:

• Undergraduate Qualification in Early Years.

• Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of statutory requirements in Northern Ireland for childcare settings in the community and voluntary sector.

• Two years acting in a lead capacity in:

a voluntary/independent pre-school

OR

Sure Start

OR

a Nursery, Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 class.

Desirable Criteria

• Proven experience of quality improvement.

An information pack containing the job description and personnel specification is available by clicking here.

Please note, the information pack will not be available after the job posting closes therefore you may want to download it.

As part of the application process, you will need to demonstrate how you meet the criteria as outlined above and, on the personnel specification, and provide a copy of your CV. Shortlisting will be completed based on the information contained with the application form, therefore it is important to clearly outline how you meet the criteria. Please note that your CV will only be used to support your application in assessing employment history.

Once you begin the application, it must be completed in one session, as there is no option to save and return to it later.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 14 February 2025.

For shortlisted applicants it is anticipated that assessments and interviews will take place on Wednesday 26 February 2025.

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to six months for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via email.

Should you need to contact us, please use the following methods:

Email: monitoringofficer@early-years.org

Phone: 028 9038 7905

Early Years is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to providing flexible friendly working conditions. As Protestants and males are currently known to be under-represented in the Organisation, we would particularly welcome applications from these groups.