Nursery Practitioner

Position Details

Elms & Oaks Day Nurseries

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £17,543 to £18,131, with potential progression once in post to £21,217

Band 300

Full Time/ Part Time FTC & Permanent positions available

Job Summary

The role of the Nursery Practitioner is to ensure that all children attending The Elms and Oaks Day Nurseries receive high quality care, are kept safe and receive rich and stimulating play experiences which meet their individual needs and support all aspects and components of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. This role will entail light domestic duties as and when required in the playrooms.

Main duties

Marketing

Promote the nursery to current parents and potential new parents.

Effectively communicate information to prospective customers and to provide guidance, support and reassurance to new parents.

Care and Education

- Provide high standards of quality within the nursery including the environment, resources and experiences offered to children.

- Comply with the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation (EYFS) and relevant legislation including the Children Act 1989 and 2004.

- To ensure activities take into account the individual needs of each child by implementing a key worker system and building relationships with an identified group of children and their families.

- Observe, support and extend children's learning.

- Ensure effective planning, assessment and record keeping for children, using the EYFS curriculum for guidance.Work in partnership with parents/carers to ensure they are kept fully informed and included in record keeping, monitoring and reviewing the progress of their child.

- Demonstrate inclusive practice and positive behaviour management techniques.

- Promoting the welfare of the children and ensure the children are kept safe and Child Protection Procedures are followed where necessary.

- Work with outside professional bodies or agencies as appropriate.

- Work with the Head of Early Years Practice to continuously improve quality of childcare and education.

- To support the nursery in its delivery of quality care education. More experienced practitioners or those working towards promotion will, under the guidance of the Nursery Manager, take on special responsibility for a co-ordinating role across the whole of the nursery which will in turn assist them with their own self- development.

Personnel

- Notify the Management Team of any concerns or issues regarding Company policies and procedures.

- Maintain a positive attitude at all times with children, parents, carers, visitors and work colleagues.

- Ensure confidentiality, where appropriate, is maintained.

- Work as a team with other team members and undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by line management.

- Actively participate in all self-development activities including appraisals, One to One meetings and interim performance reviews.

Training

- Learn about and keep abreast of current developments in childcare and education policy and practice.

- Attend regular team meetings, planning meetings and undertake training as required.

- Support and mentor Nursery Assistants and students completing training placements with the setting.

Finance

- Support the Nursery Manager in deploying people, resources and equipment efficiently and effectively.

Facilities

- Ensure efficient and effective use of available resources reflecting diversity.

- Undertake a shared responsibility the premises, garden and equipment are well maintained and meet Health and safety/EYFS requirements.

- Ensure that the nutritional needs of the children are met and the Food Safety Regulations are complied with.

Health and Safety

- Take responsible care for the Health and Safety of themselves and colleagues who may be affected by acts or omissions at work.

- Demonstrate the highest standard of hygiene and cleanliness of the children at all times.

- Ensuring the premises and the environment are safe, clean, tidy and well maintained.

Quality Assurance

Adhere to all Company policies and procedures.

Work with the Nursery Manager and Inspectors during inspections by regulatory bodies and assist in the implementation of any recommendations made by those external bodies or recommendations made following a programme of internal audits.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

- Childcare and Education NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C or above
- Experience of working with children from birth to 5 years and positive behaviour management
- Knowledge of developments in early years education and willingness to undertake training
- Knowledge of legislation, regulations, inspection criteria and curriculum relevant to Early Years.
- Understanding of how to ensure health and safety and hygiene in a childcare setting
- Understanding of and commitment to Child Protection procedures
- Suitability and ability to care for children, including ability to deal with challenging behaviours.
- Ability to communicate well and work well with children and adults from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to write legibly and present information well
- Ability to work well as part of a team
- Good organisational skills
- Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect early years' childcare.
- Ability and willingness to take on duties as required

Internal and external relationships
This role will interact with children and carers/parents from a range of backgrounds and will need to have a high level of communication skills to provide quality care, learning and development for all children attending the nursery, and to work in partnership with carers/parents.