Job Description:

Position: Early Years Teaching Assistant

Contract Type: Full-time, temporary

Start Date: 12/10/2026

Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK

Salary: £95 -£101.8, dependent on experience and qualifications

Higher rates apply to candidates with substantial relevant experience and/or training, such as a recognised Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification (or equivalent).

Hours: 8:30am–3:30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only

Contact: Danna Crous | (url removed)

About the Role

Help a young learner feel secure, included and ready to learn as an Early Years 1:1 SEN Teaching Assistant at a primary school in St Albans. Working within provision for children aged 3–5, you will provide consistent individual support with communication, classroom routines and learning alongside peers.

You will collaborate with the class teacher and SEND colleagues to adapt activities, encourage independence and support emotional regulation. Calm responses and predictable routines will help the child feel safe, while your observations will guide adjustments to their support.

The school values pastoral care, wellbeing and social and emotional development. This Early Years Teaching Assistant role offers the opportunity to bring specialist SEND experience into a mainstream classroom while developing autism-informed and trauma-informed practice alongside experienced colleagues.

Requirements

• Experience supporting children with SEND in Early Years, primary or specialist education.
  
• Practical experience supporting autism and additional needs through consistent, child-centred approaches.
  
• Understanding of safeguarding and appropriate responses to children needing emotional support.
  
• Ability to collaborate with teachers and SEND staff and follow agreed strategies.
  
• Good spoken and written English for clear communication and accurate records.
  
• Willingness to complete an enhanced DBS check and required safeguarding checks.
  

Key Responsibilities

• Provide tailored one-to-one support during Early Years activities.
  
• Use agreed routines and trauma-informed strategies to support emotional regulation and safety.
  
• Adapt activities with the teacher to develop communication and independence.
  
• Respond calmly to distress, maintaining appropriate boundaries and safeguarding standards.
  
• Share observations to review progress and refine support.
  
• Build constructive relationships with families and colleagues.
  

What the School Offers

• A focused one-to-one role where consistent support can make a lasting difference.
  
• Guidance from experienced teachers and SEND colleagues.
  
• Opportunities to develop autism-informed and trauma-informed practice through collaboration.
  
• A supportive ethos centred on wellbeing and pastoral care.
  
• The chance to apply specialist SEND skills within a mainstream Early Years setting.
  

Why Work via Teach Now?

Teach Now is an established education recruitment company offering dedicated customer service and professional development for teachers and support staff. Benefits include:

• Your own dedicated consultant for ongoing support and guidance.
  
• A £150 referral reward for each candidate you refer once they have worked and been paid for their first 10 days.
  
• Pay in line with Agency Worker Regulations (AWR), including equal pay entitlements where applicable.
  
• Access to a wide range of CPD through our in-house team of experienced senior leaders.
  

Application Process

Apply below or email your CV to (url removed). Applicants must have the appropriate qualifications, training and experience for this role.

If you are not contacted within two working days, your application has been unsuccessful for this role. However, we will retain your CV and continue supporting your search for work in education.

Teach Now operates stringent safer recruitment procedures. We promote equality, challenge discrimination and are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. This post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance.