If you’re a nursery or SEND teacher looking for your next role, you’ve probably already come across Aspire People. This recruitment agency has built a strong reputation across the Midlands and beyond for connecting talented educators with schools that genuinely need their skills. What sets them apart is their understanding that teaching young children or those with special educational needs isn’t just about following a curriculum—it’s about patience, creativity, and deep empathy. In this article, we’ll explore the top job opportunities currently available through Aspire People for nursery and SEND teachers, and why these roles might be the perfect fit for your career.
Nursery Teaching Roles in Private and School-Based Settings
Aspire People regularly advertises nursery teaching positions in both private day nurseries and maintained nursery schools. These roles range from full-time permanent contracts to flexible supply work, so whether you’re looking for stability or variety, there’s likely something for you. Private nurseries often seek teachers who can lead a room, plan age-appropriate activities, and build strong relationships with parents. School-based nursery roles, on the other hand, tend to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework more closely and may involve transition planning into Reception. The beauty of working with aspire people is that they take the time to match your personal teaching philosophy with the right setting—so you’re not just another CV on a desk.
SEND Teacher Positions in Specialist Schools
For SEND teachers, Aspire People has some particularly exciting openings in specialist provisions across Leicestershire, Birmingham, and Staffordshire. These schools cater to children with a wide range of needs, including autism, severe learning difficulties, and complex medical conditions. Unlike mainstream schools with a SEND unit, specialist schools often have smaller class sizes, higher staff-to-pupil ratios, and access to on-site therapists. Aspire People works closely with these schools to fill both long-term and permanent roles, and they’re always on the lookout for teachers who understand that progress might look different for every child. If you’ve got experience with PECS, Makaton, or TEACCH, you’ll find these roles particularly rewarding.
Early Years SEND Support Within Mainstream Nurseries
One of the fastest-growing areas of recruitment at Aspire People is the role of early years SEND support within mainstream nursery settings. More and more mainstream nurseries are admitting children with emerging special educational needs, but they don’t always have the in-house expertise to support them effectively. That’s where specialist teachers come in. These jobs often involve working one-to-one with a child who has a diagnosis or is on the waiting list for an assessment, helping them access the same activities as their peers while managing sensory overload or communication barriers. It’s challenging work, but the impact you can make on a child’s early development is enormous. Aspire People offers competitive daily rates for these roles, particularly for teachers who hold additional qualifications like the Level 3 in Early Years SEND.
Flexible Supply Teaching for Nursery and SEND Specialists
Not every teacher wants the commitment of a full-time role, and Aspire People understands that completely. Their flexible supply teaching options are ideal for nursery and SEND specialists who want to control their own schedules. You might work three days a week, take school holidays off, or simply pick up shifts when it suits you. The agency has built a reliable bank of schools that frequently need last-minute cover in their nursery or SEND departments. What’s particularly useful is that Aspire People tries to send the same supply teachers back to the same schools, so you get continuity and familiarity rather than walking into a completely new environment every single time. For parents, carers, or teachers pursuing further studies, this flexibility can be a lifesaver.
Permanent Leadership Opportunities in Early Years
For nursery teachers ready to take the next step, Aspire People also advertises permanent leadership roles such as Nursery Manager, Early Years Lead, or SENDCo in early years settings. These positions come with greater responsibility, including staff supervision, budget management, and Ofsted preparation. However, they also come with significantly higher salaries and the chance to shape entire departments. Aspire People’s consultants work hard to match experienced teachers with leadership roles where their vision for early years education aligns with the school or nursery’s ethos. If you’ve been thinking about moving away from day-to-day teaching but still want to stay closely connected to the classroom, these leadership posts offer a brilliant middle ground.
Temp-to-Perm Pathways for Long-Term Career Growth
One of the smartest ways Aspire People helps nursery and SEND teachers find lasting work is through temp-to-perm contracts. You start in a role on a temporary basis, usually for around twelve weeks, and if both you and the school are happy, the position becomes permanent without you having to reapply or interview again. This takes a huge amount of pressure off teachers who have been burned by jobs that looked perfect on paper but turned out to be a poor fit. It also gives schools the confidence to offer permanent roles to teachers they’ve already seen in action. Aspire People has a high success rate with these placements because they’re honest with both parties from the very beginning about expectations, challenges, and support available.
How to Apply and What Aspire People Looks For
If any of these roles have caught your attention, applying through Aspire People is refreshingly straightforward. You can register on their website, and a dedicated consultant will give you a call to discuss your experience, availability, and the kind of setting you thrive in. For nursery roles, they’ll want to see a genuine warmth and understanding of child development from birth to five. For SEND positions, they’re looking for resilience, creativity, and specific experience—whether that’s with autism, ADHD, or physical disabilities. A current DBS check and relevant qualifications are essential, but Aspire People can guide you through getting these if you’ve let them lapse. The best advice is to be honest about what you can and cannot do. A good consultant won’t push you into a role you’re uncomfortable with; they want a placement that lasts. So take the leap, update your CV, and have an honest conversation about what you’re looking for. Your next nursery or SEND role might be closer than you think.