Early Years Teaching Assistant – Darlington

Milk Education is working with a number of welcoming and supportive Primary Schools across Darlington and the surrounding areas and is looking to recruit passionate, caring, and enthusiastic Early Years Teaching Assistants to join schools from September 2026.

Whether you're an experienced Early Years Teaching Assistant or have experience working with young children and are looking to develop your career within education, we'd love to hear from you. We have a range of long-term and full-time opportunities available, with the potential to become permanent for the right candidate.

You'll play a key role in supporting young children during the important early stages of their education, helping create a nurturing, stimulating, and engaging environment where children can develop their confidence, independence, communication, and early learning skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Support teachers in delivering engaging learning opportunities in line with the EYFS Framework.
• Create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating Early Years environment.
• Support children's communication, language, physical, personal, social, and emotional development.
• Assist with learning through play and child-led activities.
• Support children's independence and school readiness.
• Observe and contribute to assessing children's development and progress.
• Provide one-to-one and small-group support where required.
• Support children with additional learning needs.
• Build positive relationships with children, parents, carers, and colleagues.
• Work collaboratively with teachers and the wider Early Years team.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding and professional practice.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Previous experience working with children, particularly within an Early Years setting, is desirable.
• A relevant Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years or Teaching Assistant qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Strong understanding of child development and early learning.
• Patient, caring, and nurturing approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to support learning through play.
• Confident working as part of a wider school team.
• Passion for helping young children develop and thrive.
• Enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to apply).

What Milk Education Offers

• Competitive weekly pay of £538.55 – £575.00 per week.
• Opportunities across Darlington and surrounding areas.
• Long-term opportunities with the potential to become permanent.
• Fast-track registration and compliance process.
• Five-star rated education agency with strong local school partnerships.
• Access to our Perks Portal with discounts and exclusive offers.
• Over 1,000 free and discounted CPD courses through Milk Academy.
• Free PSHE lesson plans and teaching resources.
• Educator wellbeing support and wellbeing hub access.
• School Preparation Pack.
• Ongoing support from your dedicated consultant.

This role is paid within the advertised pay scale. Your starting rate will be determined by your qualifications, relevant experience, and the requirements of the assignment.

Apply Today

If you're looking for your next Early Years Teaching Assistant opportunity in Darlington and want to make a real difference to young children's education and development, we'd love to hear from you.

Chris Shaw
📞 01642 983001
✉️ chris.shaw@milk-education.co.uk

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS and compliance checks in line with the DfE's Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance and APSCo standards.

Milk Education is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Milk Education is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy