Bear Necessities Nursery

Bear Necessities Nursery ‘My Big Boots Ltd’

JOB DESCRIPTION

Lead Practitioner

REPORTS TO Deputy, Manager, Owners

Scope of position:
To work as a member of the nursery team and lead others to ensure that all children attending the setting receive high quality care, are kept safe, treated equally and receive rich and stimulating play experiences which meet their individual needs. To support aims and objectives of the nursery and assist the Deputy/Manager in the organisation of a high quality establishment for children.
Key Responsibilities:
Personal
Promote the nursery to current parents and potential customers
Work with the management team and inspectors during inspection by regulatory bodies and to assist in the implementation of any recommendations
Support and mentor students through inclusive practice
Be responsible for participating in all self development activities including appraisals, supervision etc
Undertake any other duties as reasonably requested by management
Regularly attend necessary training to keep up to date knowledge and understanding in many areas of childcare to support the smooth running and professional practice within the setting.
To be involved in out of working hours activities such as monthly staff meetings, parents evening, open mornings etc
Health and Safety
Ensure that the nutritional needs of the children are met and food safety regulations are complied with
Undertake a shared responsibility for health, safety and cleanliness within your working room and the nursery
Ensure the general cleanliness of all children at all times and encourage personal hygiene
Be fully aware of all emergency and security procedures
Ensure all accidents/incidences are dealt with responsibly and correctly, with management participation
Provide safe practices in a safe environment for all children, following the settings beliefs, values and safeguarding culture. Having a duty to report any breach of these procedures noticed.
Team Work and Leadership
Recognise your role and carryout all duties asked of you to the highest of standards at all times
Establish and sustain a culture of collaborative and cooperative working between colleagues
Ensure that other colleagues understand their role and are involved appropriately in helping children to meet planned objectives
Contribute to the work of a multi-professional team and, where appropriate, coordinate and implement agreed programs and interventions on a day-to-day basis
Recognise and use your staffs areas of expertise and delegate necessary duties where possible to encourage personal development
Recognise your staffs areas of weakness and support them as necessary to overcome these
Continuously role model good practice, professionalism and passion towards the setting overall
To ensure smooth running of your room at all times including in the seniors absence
Work closely and communicate fully with the management at all times
Have strong working relationships with all other Lead Practitioners
Ensure your senior role is recognised by all staff in your/all teams
Prioritise your time and work load effectively
Seek extra duties when and where necessary in order to progress your personal development
Deal with challenges positively and professionally, involving management at all times
Continuously demonstrate such skills and qualities as enthusiasm, passion, motivation and professionalism
Treat your team with respect; sharing ideas, being reflective with best practice and keeping up morale/motivation / Key Person
Build strong relationships with a small group of children and their families
Develop and promote parental partnership and involvement
Deal with individual children’s personal care such as feeding, changing etc
Maintain up to date, accurate and effective children records
Plan age and stage appropriately for the individual child and their needs, using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum for guidance and thoroughly evaluate
Liaise between shared provision of your key children
Respect confidentiality of all information
Childcare and Education
Provide high standards of quality within the nursery including the environment, resources and experiences offered to children
Observe, support and extend all children’s learning
Work in partnership with parents/carers and other family members
Demonstrate good understanding and practice with regard to special needs and inclusion
Ensure that children are kept safe and that staff have full understanding and follow all child protection procedures at all times
Work with SENCOs, EY advisory teachers, health professionals and both internal and external agencies when necessary
Comply with the statutory framework of the EYFS and relevant legislation including the Children Act 1989 and 2004
Adhere to all the setting’s policies and procedures at all times
Be involved in personal reflective practice and development
To implement new ideas and changes that will have a positive impact on the children and setting overall
Taking overall charge by dealing with specific nursery events when and where necessary
Keep a correct balance of being authoritative and remembering your position/responsibilities while remaining respectful and on the same level as others
Safeguarding Children
Ensure that children are kept safe at all times and understand your duty with regard to child protection and confidentiality
Be fully aware of all settings robust safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures and follow these accordingly. Keeping up to date with any changes
Attend external Safeguarding Children training at least every three years and/or specialist training as appropriate
Be continually fully aware of who is the designated safeguarding lead coordinator and liaise with them as necessary
Take part in robust recruitment procedures completing and authorising appropriate DBS and suitability checks annually
Keep providers informed of any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings that may affect your suitability to work with children (whether received before or during employment at the setting)
Keep providers informed of:
*any convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings that may affect your suitability to work with children (whether received before or during employment at the setting)
*changes to health that would have an impact on your ability to work with children and comply with your job duties
*any incidences or accidents involving yourself in a second place of work
*any changes with regards to your DBS checks
Designated Safeguarding Children (DSO)
Ensure you attend DSO training at least every two years and keep annually refreshed through media, online training and the OSCB website/newsletters
Take lead responsibility of safeguarding children in the setting, working alongside the other responsible DSO’s (The Director, Manager and other Lead Practitioners)
Be responsible for liaising with local statutory children’s services agencies, and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB)
Provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific safeguarding issue as required
Ensure there is at least one DSO available at all times. In the unlikely event of not one DSO being present in the setting within work hours; ensure there are robust procedures to follow to access an available person
The nursery may amend your duties from time to time and may require you to undertake other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the business October 2016

LEAD PRACTITIONER

Person Specification

Essential Criteria – Must be met in full / Desirable Criteria
Experience
Experience of working with children aged 0 to 5 years
Education and Training
A Childcare and Education qualification equivalent to NVQ Level 3
Designated Safeguarding Officer Training (booked or completed) / Current First Aid certificate/qualification
Current food management certificate/qualification
Current Manual Handling certificate/qualification
Knowledge
A sound knowledge of child development for children from birth to five years
Knowledge and understanding of the statutory framework for the EYFS and the inspection processes of regulatory bodies
An understanding of a play based approach to children’s learning and development
Knowledge of the observation, planning and assessment cycle
Understanding the role of the Key Person system
Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures.
The ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and young people / Knowledge of research related to childcare and education
Knowledge of the importance of confidentiality
Skills and abilities
Good communication skills both written and verbal
Ability to build effective relationships between colleagues, parents and outside agencies / Team worker
Effective Team Leader
Flexibility – adapting to the needs of the business
Other Requirements
An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and inclusive practice
Thorough understanding of the importance of safeguarding and child protection / An understanding of health and safety in practice

Reviewed October 2016