EYFS SEN Teacher - Autism Specialist Provision

Enfield, North London | Specialist Primary SEN School | Long-Term Temporary
£220 - £280 per day | January 2027 - End of Academic Year
Full-Time Preferred | Flexibility Considered

Are you an experienced Early Years Teacher with a strong understanding of Autism and child development?

Do you enjoy creating highly personalised learning through play, communication, exploration and structured routines?

Would you like to work within a specialist setting where progress is measured around the individual child and where communication, emotional regulation and independence are embedded throughout the school day?

A highly regarded specialist primary SEN school in Enfield is looking to appoint an EYFS SEN Teacher from January 2027 until the end of the academic year.

This is a specific Early Years position within a specialist provision for autistic children, and the school is particularly interested in teachers who bring genuine EYFS experience alongside a good understanding of Autism.

The role will involve teaching a small Early Years class, supported by experienced Teaching Assistants, with learning adapted around each child's developmental level, communication profile, interests and EHCP outcomes.

Pupils may present with significant differences in communication, social interaction, sensory processing, emotional regulation and engagement with learning. Teaching therefore looks very different from a traditional mainstream EYFS classroom, with a strong emphasis on communication, play, interaction, independence, regulation and learning-to-learn skills.

You will create a warm, structured and engaging classroom where children feel safe to explore, communicate and develop at their own pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for a specialist Early Years class of autistic pupils.
• Plan and deliver an engaging, highly differentiated EYFS curriculum.
• Adapt teaching around each child's individual developmental level rather than relying solely on age-related expectations.
• Use children's interests to create motivating and meaningful learning opportunities.
• Develop communication, interaction, play and early learning skills through carefully planned activities and continuous provision.
• Support pupils to develop attention, engagement and readiness to learn.
• Promote early literacy, numeracy and wider developmental skills at an appropriate individual level.
• Create clear, predictable routines that help pupils understand and successfully navigate the school day.
• Use visual supports, structured communication strategies and alternative communication approaches where appropriate.
• Support children who may be non-speaking or have significant speech, language and communication needs.
• Develop pupils' social communication and ability to interact with adults and peers.
• Support emotional regulation through proactive, individualised and positive approaches.
• Understand and respond appropriately to sensory differences and individual sensory needs.
• Create opportunities for sensory exploration, play and experiential learning.
• Encourage children's independence across learning, personal care and everyday classroom routines.
• Use observation and assessment to identify small but meaningful steps of progress.
• Plan teaching around individual EHCP outcomes and personalised learning targets.
• Maintain accurate records of pupil progress and contribute towards reviews and future target setting.
• Lead and effectively deploy Teaching Assistants within the classroom.
• Ensure support staff understand individual children's communication, sensory and learning strategies.
• Work closely with specialist professionals and the wider school team to maintain consistent approaches for each child.
• Build strong and positive relationships with parents and carers.
• Help families understand and celebrate children's progress while supporting consistency between home and school.
• Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding, care and pupil wellbeing.

We Are Looking For

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
• Strong experience within Early Years / EYFS.
• Experience supporting autistic children or pupils with significant SEND.
• A good understanding of Early Years child development.
• Confidence working with children who may be developing significantly below typical age-related expectations.
• Strong knowledge of play-based and child-centred learning.
• An understanding of how Autism can impact communication, interaction, sensory processing and engagement.
• Experience adapting learning around individual communication profiles.
• Confidence using visual strategies and alternative communication approaches.
• The ability to recognise and respond to sensory and emotional regulation needs.
• Strong observational and assessment skills.
• A calm, patient and nurturing teaching style.
• The ability to build trusting relationships with children who may communicate in very different ways.
• Confidence leading Teaching Assistants and creating consistency across the classroom team.
• Excellent communication with families and other professionals.
• A creative and flexible approach to teaching.
• A genuine interest in developing specialist Autism practice.

Experience with AAC, PECS, Makaton, Attention Autism or other specialist communication approaches would be advantageous, although the school is primarily interested in finding a teacher with the right combination of strong Early Years practice, Autism experience and the ability to understand the individual child.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Early Years practitioner who wants to move further into specialist education or an existing SEN Teacher with a strong EYFS background.

Rather than following a rigid whole-class curriculum, you will have the opportunity to plan around individual children and recognise progress across communication, interaction, regulation, independence and early academic development.

You will work alongside experienced SEN staff within a supportive specialist environment where teachers are encouraged to continually develop their understanding of Autism and highly personalised teaching.

The position will initially run from January 2027 until the end of the academic year, with full-time preferred, although some flexibility may be considered for a particularly strong candidate.

£220 - £280 per day | January 2027 Start | Enfield, North London | Long-Term Temporary

Apply now or send your CV to Stephen at KPI Education to be considered.

INDTEA