Aspiring Psychologist – Early Years Behaviour Support Assistant

Specialist Nursery Settings in Durham

Start Date – ASAP, as we have multiple roles available
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, term time only
Pay: £107.70 per day

Education and Training – Aspiring Psychologist – Early Years Behaviour Support Assistant – Durham

Are you looking to gain hands-on experience that will support a future career in Psychology, Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Child Development, or CAMHS?

Milk Education are recruiting Aspiring Psychologists to work within specialist and mainstream nursery settings across Durham. This is a full-time opportunity for Psychology graduates who want to gain valuable practical experience supporting children during their early developmental years.

You will work with children aged 2–5 years, many of whom may have additional needs including Autism, ADHD, speech and language delays, sensory processing differences, attachment needs, and social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Your role will focus on supporting positive behaviour, emotional regulation, and implementing strategies that enable every child to thrive within the nursery environment.

Why this role is ideal for an Aspiring Psychologist

Working within an Early Years setting provides excellent practical experience for graduates looking to progress into psychology or child development careers.

You will gain first-hand experience in:

Supporting children with Autism, ADHD, and additional learning needs
Developing behaviour management and emotional regulation strategies
Understanding child development and early intervention approaches
Building secure, trusting relationships with young children
Supporting communication, play, and social interaction
Implementing positive behaviour support techniques
Working alongside Early Years Practitioners, SENCOs, Speech and Language Therapists, and parents
Learning how early intervention positively impacts long-term educational and developmental outcomes

This role is particularly valuable if you are aiming for:

Educational Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Child Psychology
CAMHS
Speech and Language Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Early Years SEND
Primary Teaching
Child Development

Your Core Purpose

Your goal is to:

Support children to regulate their emotions and behaviours
Encourage positive social interactions through play
Help children access learning opportunities within the nursery
Build confidence, independence, and resilience
Implement behaviour support strategies tailored to individual needs
Create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child can flourish

What You Will Be Doing

Supporting children on a 1:1 basis and in small groups
Assisting with behaviour management using positive reinforcement and child-centred approaches
Encouraging communication, social skills, and emotional development
Supporting sensory and emotional regulation throughout the day
Working closely with nursery staff to implement individual support plans
Observing children’s development and reporting progress
Acting as a calm, positive role model
Building professional relationships with children, families, and the wider nursery team

We would love to hear from you if you have:

A degree in Psychology or a related subject
Experience working with children through nurseries, schools, coaching, volunteering, youth work, or care settings
A strong interest in child development, behaviour, and mental health
Patience, resilience, and excellent communication skills
A genuine passion for supporting young children during their early years
A proactive and nurturing approach to supporting children’s development