Toybox Project Worker

Location: Belfast (but may need to support across regional offices as required)

Base: Early Years Headquarters, Belfast, BT12 6TA

Hours: 20 hours per week

Tenure: Fixed term until 31 March 2026 (with possibility of extension subject funding)

Salary: NJC Scale 5, Point 12-17 (£27,711-£30,060) 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

As Toybox Project Worker you will work with the Project Manager and the Toybox team to improve the early years’ development and educational opportunities for Traveller and Roma children aged 0-4. This will involve a ‘hands on’ approach taking a mobile play resource to families (whether living on Traveller sites, at the roadside or in settled accommodation) and working with them to encourage their child’s development through play.

You will work in partnership with families to promote and facilitate positive parenting and the enhancement of the role of parents as ‘first educators’.

The Toybox Project Worker will innovatively support and extend play experiences to ensure early outcomes are achieved.

We're looking for people who:

At the closing date have:

Essential Criteria

At the closing date applicants, must have:

• An NVQ Level III in Early Years Care and Education or equivalent.
• Two years previous experience working with young children in a variety of settings, including community development settings.
• Driving license and access to a car.

Desirable criteria

• BA in Early Years Childhood Studies or equivalent.

To find out more about the role and to apply, visit our website by clicking here.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Saturday 28 June 2025.

For shortlisted applicants it is anticipated that interviews will take place on Monday 7 July 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.