Our mission is to provide opportunities for people to develop to their full potential, with a focus on children and young people and those who are vulnerable, have a disability or face disadvantage.

We are recruiting for an Early Years Practitioner to join our Family Centre team

YMCA East Surrey is looking to recruit a qualified and experienced Early Years Practitioner with energy and motivation to plan, lead and deliver targeted play opportunities and support groups for children 0 up to 12 years and their parents at YMCA Horley Family centre.

The post holder will deliver targeted and universal family focused support sessions on both a 1:1 and group basis.  Facilitating high quality play activities for children aged 0 – 11 years and their parents/carers within a safe stimulating environment.  Building links and working in partnership with parents, carers, and other partners, supporting them to engage and join in with the activities with their children, to enhance the child’s wellbeing and overall development.  

  All services provided will support the delivery of the Family Centre specification and core offer, which aims to enable children to achieve and improve outcomes.

 This role requires someone with

• Minimum Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education, Early Years or related professional qualification
• Knowledge of child development and knowledge of the importance of play in child development
• Experience in the delivery of support groups and sessions for parents and children aged 0 - 12 years
• Experience of managing children’s behaviour in a variety of situations
• Experience of providing advice, guidance and support in a one-to-one or small group setting

Working Hours: - 24 hours per week worked across Monday-Thursday 9am–3pm  Ideally with flexibility to work on additional days by negotiation and to be available for occasional out of hours work according to needs of families (evening and weekends).

Location- The post holder will be required to work flexibly across the Family Centre partnership area of Reigate and Banstead.   Sites include: Horley, The Red Oak Family Centre, Merstham, Welcare Redhill and Epsom Downs Family Centre

  Key responsibilities:

Ø To deliver specialist targeted courses and support groups for parents and children

Ø To plan, prepare and deliver targeted interventions for vulnerable children and families including Speech and language/ Communication courses, SEND support groups, creche work, play and development groups, bonding and attachment activities, baby and toddler and new parents’ groups.

Ø To plan and facilitate the Centre’s crèche offer

Ø To respond to the individual needs of parents/carers attending groups and signposting to specialist agencies.

Ø To build parent resilience through delivery of services

Ø To evaluate and report on outcomes of each session

Ø Plan and organise own work and/or intervention to meet given priorities

Ø Liaise and work in partnership with partners

Ø To assist in the smooth operations of the centre

Ø To assist in the induction and mentoring of volunteers to ensure that the service provided is high quality and appropriate for the service users

Ø To ensure that all working practices operate within the organisational health and safety and procedures regarding your direct work with children attending the YMCA activities and to ensure that safeguarding and child protection policies are always adhered to.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.

 PAY:

·      £14.33 per hour /£26,080.6 FTE 

BENEFITS:

·      Be part of a long-standing and well-respected charity

·      Discounted childcare for permanent employees

·      Gym membership and free access to all leisure facilities for permanent employees

·      Eligibility for Blue Light Discount Retail Card

·      Cycle to Work Scheme

·      6.6 weeks annual leave which increases after 2 years continuous service

·      Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme

·      On site parking

 CLOSING DATE: 9^th January 2026

 TO APPLY: Please scroll down the page to the application form.

Successful candidates will already have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

Accessibility if you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us at HR@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk  

 YMCA East Surrey requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adult’s barred lists) check, along with reference checks.