Explore the rewarding world of EYFS Teacher + Phonics Lead jobs, a unique and vital dual-role within primary education that combines classroom teaching with specialized curriculum leadership. This profession is ideal for educators who are passionate about shaping the foundational years of a child's learning journey while driving literacy excellence across the school. Professionals in these roles are at the heart of early childhood development, fostering a love for learning while ensuring children master the crucial building blocks of reading and writing. An EYFS Teacher + Phonics Lead is primarily responsible for two key areas. Firstly, they are a class teacher within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), typically teaching Reception-aged children (4-5 years old). In this capacity, they create a nurturing, stimulating, and safe environment that supports holistic development across the seven areas of learning. Daily activities are play-based and designed to develop children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. They plan and deliver engaging lessons, conduct ongoing observations and assessments, and build strong, communicative relationships with parents and carers to support each child's individual progress. Secondly, they hold the strategic leadership role of Phonics Lead. This involves overseeing the school's systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) programme from EYFS through to Key Stage 1 and often beyond. Their responsibilities include developing and implementing a robust, consistent phonics curriculum, selecting appropriate resources, and monitoring its effectiveness across all year groups. They lead regular training sessions and provide coaching and support for fellow teachers and teaching assistants to ensure high-quality phonics delivery in every classroom. A significant part of the role is analysing phonics screening check data and other assessment metrics to identify trends, implement interventions, and report on progress to senior leadership and governors. Typical skills and requirements for these jobs are comprehensive. Candidates must possess Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with substantial, proven experience teaching in the Early Years Foundation Stage, particularly in a Reception class. A deep, expert knowledge of early literacy development and a government-approved systematic synthetic phonics programme, such as Read Write Inc. or Letters and Sounds, is non-negotiable. Beyond technical knowledge, successful individuals are excellent communicators, collaborative team players, and confident leaders capable of inspiring both children and adults. They are organised, analytical, and passionate about educational research, constantly seeking ways to improve teaching and learning. They must be resilient, approachable, and genuinely enjoy working with young children, creating a fun and positive atmosphere for learning. If you are an educator who thrives on making a lasting impact at both a classroom and whole-school level, EYFS Teacher + Phonics Lead jobs offer a challenging yet incredibly fulfilling career path where you can truly shape the future of literacy and early education.
