Sovereign Base Areas Administration - Official Vacancy Notice
Vacancy reference: HR/26/11
Location: Episkopi
Eligibility: LEC UKFM
Closing date: 11/10/2026 (Midnight, Cyprus local time)
Official listing: SBA Administration vacancies
Original advert: View the official PDF
PRESCHOOL SENIOR
PRACTITIONER
ADVERT
Vacancy Campaign Number: HR/26/11
Terms & Conditions of Employment
1. Contract Type: Permanent - Full Year (52 Weeks) – Full For information on the
Time process or the application
please contact the
2. Grade: EYQKP3 – Qualified Key Person 3
Resource Administrator:
3. Salary: €25,46.00 plus Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA)
Mrs Angela Ioannou
4. Hours per week: 37 hours per week
on 00357 25 96 2385
5. Location: Episkopi Early Years (In partnership with Episkopi
Operating hours:
primary School)
Monday to Thursday:
6. General_Terms_Conditions_Employment_New_Recruits 08:00 – 14:00
(Weblink). Please note that the Pay paragraph of this Friday: 08:00 – 12:00
document is not applicable for Education Grades.
7. Closing Date: 11/10/2026, Midnight, Local Cyprus Time
Special Discount
For all staff successful on full year contracts (52 weeks), on full time or part time hours, the
organization can offer a 50% discount on all childcare costs in Early Years during the holiday
period. The organization retains its right to review, change or remove the discount at any time.
Additionally, the Early Years offer a two-week Christmas closure, three extra privileged days off
each year in addition to public holidays, paid training inset days and various training
opportunities available through your time at the setting.
ABOUT THE JOB
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PRESCHOOL SENIOR PRACTITIONER – EPISKOPI
VACANCY NUMBER: HR/26/11
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Early Years Senior Practitioner looking to take the
next step in their career. We are looking for an enthusiastic, qualified, hardworking senior practitioner
keen to make a difference and support children to ensure they have the time to play and explore, the
opportunity to talk and question, wonder and investigate, build the confidence to discover, create, and
learn.
Under the direction of the room leader, you will help to manage the room by example to others. The
team will learn and perform by how you perform your own role on a day to day basis and continually
strive for best practice in yourself and inspiring others.
The Senior Practitioner role was created to provide a promotional path to experienced and qualified
applicants who have excelled in their roles and who have shown the ability to develop their skills and
knowledge. This role provides a good grounding in the skills required to be Room Leader.
If you are passionate about working with children and inspiring them to achieve their full potential
Early Years Cyprus is a great place to work. We adopt the latest thinking and research in the field of
early education and therefore have a regular programme of continuing professional development to
support our practitioners to not only confidently deliver the EYFS but be inspirational in their practice.
We don’t settle for people who can just do the job, we are looking for people that go beyond that and
always push us to be better than yesterday. We are therefore looking to recruit a friendly,
experienced individual who will embrace our values and join our wonderful team. If you are
committed to contributing to our younger generation’s formative years and want to be part of a unique
setting offering opportunities to advance your career in childcare.
Your days will be fun, messy, indoors, outdoors, quiet, creative, explorative, child-led, and free, but
never the same! The early years are a magical time, and we want people in our team to harness
every child’s individual sparkle! To nurture that seed of magic with love and care to inspire every
individual child. Finally, you must be prepared to feel loved, special, and important to many young
children and their families. There is simply no other job quite like this one.
Eligibility - Are you eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply for this role, you must be a UK Family Member with a valid for
employment Status Stamp. If you are yet to receive your status stamp, please contact
the Resource Team.
Applications from individuals that have either reached or passed the BFC / SBAA Normal
Retirement age of 65 will not be accepted.
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PRESCHOOL SENIOR PRACTITIONER – EPISKOPI
VACANCY NUMBER: HR/26/11
Essential & Desirable Criteria for the Role
1. Full and Relevant Nationally Accredited Minimum Level 3 Early Years (or Equivalent). (You
must provide a copy of your qualifications when submitting your application form.)
2. Level 2 or GCSE C English and Math.
3. 1/2 years’ experience of working in an Early Years setting
4. Paediatric First Aid or undertake Paediatric First Aid training once recruited into the role.
5. Extensive working knowledge of the EYFS, the curiosity approach and in the moment planning
6. Extensive knowledge of child development and the key person role
7. Knowledge and proven practical experience of implementing good quality learning opportunities
8. An understanding of, and a commitment in working to the principles of Equality of Opportunity
and how to support children with learning difficulties and disabilities in accordance with statutory
requirements of the EYFS (DfE 2017)
9. Encourage other staff and children to appreciate and value each other’s similarities and differences and
teach them about the diversity in the immediate and wider community.
10. You must undergo and pass as security & police check. If you are found successful, you will be
requested to provide a Clean Criminal Record and a Sex Offenders Certificate issued by the
Republic of Cyprus. For UKFMs that will be found successful on this advert and who have lived
on island for longer than 18 months, will be requested to provide a Clean Criminal Record and a
Sex Offenders Certificate issued by the Republic of Cyprus.
11. All candidates who have lived in the UK, must undergo and pass an Enhanced Disclosure and
Barring Service (DBS).
12. As part of the Safer Recruitment process, successful candidates must provide, upon
employment, clean criminal records from all countries they have lived in the last 10 years.
13. As part of the Safer Recruitment process, candidates must provide their full employment history
on the application form and justify any gaps in employment.
14. If you are found successful on this campaign, we will be requesting references, therefore,
ensure to have completed this information on your application form. To underline, we do not
accept references from relatives and friends.
15. As part of the Safer Recruitment Process, we may conduct social media checks.
16. Candidates must have an understanding on Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
For further information, read below the Safer Recruitment Statement and Keeping children safe
in education UK (WEB LINK)
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PRESCHOOL SENIOR PRACTITIONER – EPISKOPI
VACANCY NUMBER: HR/26/11
17. Candidates must complete the Self Declaration form related to criminal convictions background.
Any information disclosed on the Self Declaration form will not automatically disqualify a
candidate, the information will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and considering that the
role will be working with children and vulnerable adults.
18. Awareness of Data Protection practices and importance to protect the personal information of
children and vulnerable adults.
19. Be prepared to self-drive an MT vehicle (and prepared to maintain or obtain FMT600) to attend
meetings across WSBA and ESBA or occasionally in the Republic of Cyprus
Important Note: Details on the role can be found on the Job Description which is at the
end of this document. These criteria are part of the assessment criteria and will influence
the decision on whether your application will proceed to the next stage.
Safer Recruitment Statement - Safeguarding
The British Forces Cyprus and Sovereign Base Areas Administration are committed to
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We
expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. To achieve this we, as much as
practically, apply the Safer Recruitment practices as those have been defined in the United
Kingdom. As part of our safer recruitment process, all applicants will be subject to appropriate
screening and background checks, including reference and online checks, where applicable
enhanced disclosure through Disclosure and Barring checks and local police checks, therefore, we
seek a series of information on the application form that would help us identify suitable individuals
to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Official Language
The official language of the Sovereign Base Areas is English and consequently English is the official
language of British Forces Cyprus and Sovereign Base Areas Administration. All documents are to be
completed in this language. All employees of the Sovereign Base Areas Administration and British
Forces Cyprus are expected to have a basic command of the English language as a pre-requisite for
employment.
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PRESCHOOL SENIOR PRACTITIONER – EPISKOPI
VACANCY NUMBER: HR/26/11
How to apply
a. To apply for this role you must complete the SBAA BFC Safer Recruitment Application
(weblink) and include evidence on how you meet the below Competences. The
completion of the competences is mandatory. If you do not demonstrate evidence of the
below competences, your application will be sifted out. Additionally, please note that we
can only accept applications as attachments to email on its original Word Document
format. No hard copy applications will be accepted. Any forms that are submitted in any
other format e.g., links to One Drive, bitmap, jpeg, pdf will not be considered.
You may find Competences Examples here, please ensure to adjust these to the applicable
Competence Framework (Weblink)
1. Working Together
2. Support for Learning Activities
3. Support Learning Environment
4. Support children’s well-being and
resilience
b. This role is assessed through the use of the Early_Years_Competence_Framework (Weblink),
therefore, you are kindly invited to read the document to assist you with writing your
competences.
c. For further information about the role please contact Mrs Natalie Johnson, Headteacher on
Tel: 00357 2596 3425
d. For further recruitment information and guidance please choose the appropriate guidance:
Cypriot Nationals Q&A Application Process or UK Family Members Q&A Application Process
e. Once completed electronically please send your application by email to:
BFC-SBAA-Recruitment-GpMailbox@mod.gov.uk.
Important Note: Ensure that your application has been correctly completed and all relevant
information has been provided. Failure to do so may result in your application being excluded.
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PRESCHOOL SENIOR PRACTITIONER – EPISKOPI
VACANCY NUMBER: HR/26/11
The recruitment process
Please note that this recruitment process is associated with the recruitment of Locally
Employed Civilians (LECs).
The recruitment process is a fair and open competition and candidates are judged on their
own merit.
Please read the information on The Recruitment Process Stages Guide for Applicants
(Weblink) to help you understand the process. The document will explain the recruitment
process stages and enhance your understanding on it.
Additionally, as we want you to show the best version of yourself, we invite you to read the
guides available which should help you understand what you need to do to stand out. If you
feel you need further support, please contact the Resource Admin responsible for this
campaign, you can find the contact details on the front page of this advert.
Once your disclosure application has been completed it will be forwarded to the Disclosure
and Barring Service, who will undertake a check which will include:
▪ Details of convictions, including those ‘spent’ under the Act stated above.
▪ Cautions, etc and (where appropriate) whether you are included on one of the barred
lists preventing you from working with children and/or vulnerable adults
▪ Where appropriate, information taken from police records that a chief officer of a
police force considers relevant to the application.
Note: A conviction is not necessarily a bar to recruitment, unless Episkopi Early Years
considers that the conviction renders you unsuitable for appointment. In making this
decision, consideration will be given to the nature of the offence, how long ago and what
age you where when it was committed and any other factors which may be relevant. It is
an offence for an individual who has been disqualified from working with children to
knowingly apply for, offer to do, or accept or do any work in a regulated position.
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PRESCHOOL SENIOR PRACTITIONER – EPISKOPI
VACANCY NUMBER: HR/26/11
Job Description
What you’ll need to succeed
o Demonstrate a passion for childcare and be an advocate for the early years sector
o Demonstrate a passion for enabling children to learn
where-ever and however is best for them.
o Be a role model for your colleagues.
o Reflect on your practice and look for ways to improve.
o Provide inspiration to nursery children through exciting
activities in all areas of learning whilst incorporating
EYFS, curiosity approach and in the moment planning
o Raise the profile and the benefits of personal
development and learning with their colleagues
o Be constantly looking for ways in which the setting could
be improved and developed, making a thriving
environment dedicated to improving standards
o Good communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to communicate
effectively with a variety of agencies.
o You must provide 2 professional references. (Standing requirement).
All members of the nursery team have a responsibility towards promoting safeguarding the
welfare of children and/or vulnerable persons in their role
All members of the nursery team will safeguard children in accordance with British Forces
Cyprus Safeguarding Children’s Board and the statutory framework for the early years
foundation stage (EYFS) (Department for Education (DFE) 2017)
Required qualifications, experience and skills
1. Full and Relevant Nationally Accredited Level 3 Early Years (or Local Equivalent)
2. Level 2 or GCSE C English and Maths
3. 1/2 years’ experience of working in an Early Years setting
4. Paediatric First Aid or undertake Paediatric First Aid training once recruited into the role
5. Extensive working knowledge of the EYFS, the curiosity approach and in the moment
planning
6. Extensive Knowledge of child development
7. Knowledge and proven practical experience of implementing good quality learning
opportunities
8. An understanding of, and a commitment in working to the principles of Equality of
Opportunity and how to support children with learning difficulties and disabilities in
accordance with statutory requirements of the EYFS (DfE 2017)
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PRESCHOOL SENIOR PRACTITIONER – EPISKOPI
VACANCY NUMBER: HR/26/11
9. Encourage the staff team and children to appreciate and value each other; our similarities
and differences and
teach them about the diversity in their immediate and wider community.
• Hold a driving licence
What we can offer you
• A full programme of essential EYFS Training units delivered to meet EYFS welfare
requirements and the needs of the setting
• The support and mentoring required to enable you to achieve any further relevant,
accredited childcare qualifications such as an NVQ level 4.
• High-quality Continuous Professional Development opportunities; led by internal and
external Early Years experts and researchers.
• Working and mentored by a Team of professionals surrounded by our wonderful little
people to keep you on your toes within a community where you’re valued
Our values
• Children are born ready to learn.
• Children have the right to secure, trusting relationships with adults and to safe, nurturing
environments.
• Children learn through play.
• Children construct their own knowledge based on their curiosity are and driven by their
interests
• Children learn best when exposed to and engaged in high-quality environments,
interactions, and relationships
• Children learn best when the adults in their life work in partnership with one another
Main duties and responsibilities
• To be vigilant and protect children from harm or abuse, reporting any concerns
immediately – in accordance with child protection and whistleblowing policies
• Have a sound knowledge and understanding of and uphold safeguarding procedures
and strategies ensuring that all children are safeguarded and appropriately supervised
at all times
• Support other team members to carry out health and safety checks as required to
ensure the room / nursery is tidy, safe, clean and secure for children, staff,
parents/carers and visitors
• As part of the Nursery team under the direction of the Room Leader support the room
leader to deliver the early years foundation stage framework and any other appropriate
guidance for children in accordance with statutory and nursery policy and guidelines
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PRESCHOOL SENIOR PRACTITIONER – EPISKOPI
VACANCY NUMBER: HR/26/11
• Support the room leader to ensure that the children engage in activities that develop
their potential and that creativity is fostered within their learning environment, and that
they develop their interests and engage in positive social interaction.
• Support the room leader to plan a curriculum that adheres to the nursery philosophy that
young children learn best through play.
• Help create an environment that nurtures children’s curiosity to question why things
happen and to develop the confidence to problem-solve for themselves and in
collaboration with their peers and the adults who work with them.
• Cover for other staff as appropriate and as directed by your manager, especially given
that unforeseen situation can occur when caring for children and recognising that the
child’s welfare is paramount
• Act as a key person for a group of children providing each child with continuity of care
throughout the child’s time at the setting, in partnership with their parent/carers:
o Develop a loving and secure relationship with each key child.
o Help each key child to become familiar with and confident in the setting.
o Look after each key child’s care and welfare needs e.g. dressing, toilet training,
eating, sleeping, being comforted.
o Build trusted relationships with each key child’s parents, ensuring there are
regular opportunities to share information on the child’s development at home
and in the setting.
o Support each key child’s individual learning journey through on-going
observation, assessment and planning in partnership with parents/carers and
other colleagues
o Complete reviews of key children in partnership with and parents/carers and
multi-agency professionals as appropriate (eg 2 Year Progress Check)
• To work across the whole learning environment – indoors and out. The outdoor
environment is a very important aspect of our provision and is used in all weather
conditions.
• A Senior Practitioner is not required to have the same responsibility as the Room Leader
for staff management tasks such as mentoring, training, induction, although will be
asked to participate as appropriate.
• To attend reasonable out-of-working-hours activities, including training, staff meetings,
parents evenings and special events
• To attend and help organise events arranged for the children and to benefit the children,
families and setting as a whole
• To keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or
other staff that is acquired as part of the job.
• To read, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures relevant to your role and
the safe running of the setting.
• To undertake any other aspects of nursery work according to need. This job description
is intended to give you an indication of the main duties, but is not meant to be an
exhaustive list.
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Links contained in the official document
