Lunchtime Support Assistant
Location: Childhaven Community Nursery School, Scarborough
Contract: Fixed term contract until July 2026
Salary/ Hourly Rate: Grade AB, £12.65 per hour (Pay award pending)
Hours/ Working Pattern: 12.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 10:45am – 1:15pm, Term time only
Closing Date: 11:59pm Tuesday 17th March 2026
Shortlisting: Wednesday 18th March (You will be informed of the outcome the same day – please hold the interview date in your diary)
Interview Date: Monday 23rd March, 11am
Start Date: April 2026
Are you looking to test the waters of a career working with children? This part time role is ideal for balancing with other commitments.
About Childhaven - Learning for Life
A school with child led approaches at its heart
Here at Childhaven Community Nursery School we provide a vibrant, welcoming, and inspirational setting and serve the communities around the Scarborough Town.
We were judged to be OUTSTANDING by Ofsted in 2012,2015, 2019, and then again in 2024! We are a forward thinking, family friendly nursery school who like to stay at the cutting edge of best practice. Due to our success, we are a DfE Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, we share our practice and expertise with other settings across the region. We are one of only 3 maintained nursery schools in North Yorkshire and we offer children a unique start to their education.
We have recently been awarded the National Nurture Schools UK award and one of only a handful of local schools to be declared a nurture school. We take pride in nurturing each and every one of our children as well as all their families and also our school staff too.
Our learning environment and education provision that is offered to our 95 children on roll is second to none and our teaching assistants play an important part in school life. Our team ethos helps make our school welcoming, calm and purposeful.
We are continuously developing our specialist practice in supporting children with a wide range of additional needs and we pride ourselves in having the highest expectations for all children.
Nurture, Love & Care at Childhaven
- Curiosity Approach Accreditation - A culture of curiosity, awe, and wonder
- Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation - A culture rooted in love, kindness, nurturing, and self-care for children and staff - inspired by the Danish approach to living well.
- Nurture School – A focus on social and emotional needs and development
Our Opportunity
Due to increased numbers of children attending our school in the summer term, we are looking for additional support at lunchtime to support the children when eating their packed lunches. You will ensure that children safely enjoy their lunch in a supportive and relaxed environment.
The role involves ensuring our environment is prepared for the children as well as engaging with children during the lunchtime part of their day, supporting their independence, personal care and language skills.
This part time role is ideal to balance alongside other commitments, to test the waters of a career working the children, or to help develop experience towards your goal of becoming a teaching assistant.
You will be/possess:
- English and Maths GCSE level ‘C’ equivalent
- Awareness of health and hygiene issues
- Experience appropriate to working with children
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work successfully in a team
We can offer you
- A warm, happy school where we value everyone and have a philosophy of kindness and support for each other. Our approach is not always conventional but has the impact our children need- and deserve
- Happy, enthusiastic and well-behaved children
- A school with exciting and attractive learning environments and where no two days are the same
- A school who puts nurture for staff and children at the forefront
- A place where children’s dreams come true
- A forward-thinking school who will be committed to your own professional development and provide you with many opportunities to advance in your Early Years career
If you think you would enjoy a job where every day brings you joy, please get in touch with us!
Queries / Visits
Informal chats about the role are welcomed and encouraged. Unable to visit? View our video of our nursery on our Facebook page.
Please contact Chloe Bullen on 01609 536 964 or via chloe.bullen@northyorks.gov.uk
Chloe has been engaged to support us with recruiting to this exciting opportunity.
Application Process
Please apply via NYC Jobs
An email will be sent to shortlisted candidates with details of the interview process / shortlisting outcome.
We do not accept CV’s
Please contact us if you need to apply in a different format.
When applying please take into account the following:
Employment History
In line with KCSIE requirements, please complete your full employment history to ensure any gaps in your education and career history are accounted for.
Suitable References
When completing your application, please provide two employment referees. Generally, this should be your current and most recent Headteacher or line manager. Please note if your former Headteacher or line manager has since left, please use an alternative current senior staff member as they need to be in post at your former location to be able to confirm your details in full.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept personal references or personal email addresses.
Please get in touch for any queries if you are unsure.
Supporting Information
The supporting information section of your application should clearly evidence your ability to meet the requirements we have outlined in the job description & person specification. This will be used to shortlist applicants for this role and therefore it is imperative that you provide evidence as requested.
We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We have a robust child protection policy and all staff will receive training relevant to their role at induction and throughout employment at the school. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Please note this post is in regulated activity and exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS criminal records and barred list check for work with children. An online search may be undertaken as part of the recruitment process on information available in the public domain. Candidates should disclose anything that may be relevant in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies and process applications on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Further information on how we process your data can be found here.
Lunchtime Support Assistant
Posted: 11/03/2026
Closing date: 17/03/2026
Closing time: 23:59