Early Years Creative Session Leader

Job Summary

Delivery of weekly movement and sensory play sessions for early years children and their families in support of social confidence, increased wellbeing and bonding between little people and their grown ups. Sessions are taking place in Ferndown, Dorset on a Thurs morning. £40 +mileage per session

Job Description

Due to recent funding success, we are hoping to recruit another Practitioner to deliver Wiggles and Giggles (our under 5s dance and sensory play concept) and The Parenthood (our under 2s creative play course for adjusting Parents) at The Centre, Ferndown on a Thursday morning starting October 8th. Sessions will run across 50 weeks, with 5 weeks of The Parenthood occuring 4 times across the year, alongside Wiggles and Giggles (70 sessions in total).

Through the use of movement, music, props and play, we aim to:

- Provide opportunities for children to develop motor skills and sensory perception through movement and play-based activities
- Promote dancing and singing as a tool for self expression, having fun and learning new skills
- Remove barriers to accessing baby and grown-up 'arts and play' provision which might otherwise feel emotionally or financially challenging
- Reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing in Parents/Carers at a vulnerable time of life
- Equip Parents/Carers with the tools to play and bond with their babies
- Provide the space/time for Parents/Carers to learn positive habits and techniques through peer observation and through seeking advice from peers and supporting staff

Detailed session plans, props and playlists are provided.

Sessions will be running on a Thurs morning from 8th October for 50 weeks (excluding two weeks at Christmas when the venue is closed).

Job Requirements

You will need:

- Demonstrable experience facilitating arts and/or play-based activities with children and/or families
- Demonstrable interest in improving community wellbeing (physical and emotional health)
- A professional or educational background in the Arts and/or Childcare
- Access to a car with the ability to pack and unpack resources (a trolley will be provided if you do not have one)
- Use of a Spotify Account (without ads)
- A valid DBS certificate and a subscription to the update service
- Personal Liability Insurance as a Practitioner
-Registration as a self-employed worker.

Desirable criteria:

- Our base for exchanging resources is in Broadstone (Poole). It is therefore desirable that you're in close driving distance to this area as we will need to be in physical contact regularly

- Ideally you will have your own speaker to play music from
- Ideally you will have lived experience of being a primary carer

Job Responsibilities

To deliver movement and singing activities, and to facilitate sensory and free play within a 40 min session to local families. This is then followed by an optional stay and play for attendees. For 20 weeks of the year, there will be two sessions back to back.

You will be required to setup for the session, pack down and return the room to it's previous state, and to maintain a positive relationship with the venue team.

Sessions are delivered on a 'Pay What You Can' basis for participants. As a result, you may be required to support payments via a QR code or to carry a donations box with cash in.

You will need to replenish packaged snacks/drinks for the sessions as they are consumed. Any expenses will be reimbursed upon receipt of your invoice.

There will be a small evaluation to do with participants throughout delivery of the project, but Claire can support with this if preferred.

Props will be prepared for you and exchanged during regular meet ups (every 3-4 weeks).

Useful Links

Job Overview

Job Title: Early Years Creative Session Leader
Salary: Under £10K
Hours: Part time
Artform: Dance
Role: Teaching
Contract: Contract
Closing date: Mon, 07 Sep 2026
Location:

South West

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Job: Early Years Creative Session Leader

Organisation: Wakey Wakey ARTS

Postcode: BH22 8XH

How to Apply

1) Please submit an expression of interest responding to the person specification, and a brief run-down of your relevant educational/professional experience (feel free to copy and paste from your C.V.) via email to [email protected]. The deadline is 9am on 7th September.
2) Interviews will be held in the week commencing 14th September. Interview questions and a brief response task will be provided at the shortlisting stage.
3) There will then be a half day of training/familiarisation of props before work begins in October.

If you have any questions about the work, please do not hesitate to contact Claire on [email protected], or by calling 07552 215774.

Contact name: Claire Reilly
Contact email: [email protected]

Apply now

About Wakey Wakey ARTS

Wakey Wakey ARTS is an arts intermediary service bringing creative opportunities to young people. Predominantly those affected by adverse childhood experiences.

We aim to reverse or reduce the negative effects of these, and offer restoration to those in recovery from poor mental and/or physical health.

We also aim to provide opportunities for practicing artists to deliver high-quality cultural experiences to young people within the arts, health and education sectors.

Find out more