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Job Description

Job Title: Childcare Development Officer – Group Care

Grade: PO2

Function: Community Children’s Service

Reporting to: Childcare Development Manager

Jobholder:

Job ref: CYP0013

Main Purpose:

·  To support the development, quality, sustainability and integration of childcare across the borough through Children’s Centres, other group childcare and extended schools across the Borough.

·  To have area responsibility for the development of the full range of childcare services.

Principle Accountabilities

1.  To have specialist responsibility for supporting the development and implementation of high quality provision of one of the following projects across the borough:

·  Wave 1 & 2 Children’s Centres

·  Other childcare development including provision of pre- Ofsted registration guidance and support

·  Childcare development within extended schools

2.  To be based in one of the five Town Centre areas and have responsibility for leading, developing and supporting the whole range of childcare services including childminding.

3.  To be a member of a town based multi disciplinary team, co-ordinated by the Early Years Area Co-ordinator, to deliver integrated provision.

4.  To prepare a project brief with targets and timescales in accordance with the Early Years and Sure Start Service Strategic Plan.

5.  To work in partnership with Children’s Centres and other early year’s settings in developing childcare provision which meets local need.

6.  A local needs analysis is continually undertaken to ensure that childcare provisions meets the needs of local parents.

7.  To model and disseminate good practice to childcare providers. This includes offering support advice and implementing best practice to providers.

8.  To design and deliver in house training to providers to ensure that good practice is disseminated across the borough.

9.  To liaise with Asset Management in relation to capital projects.

10.  To work in partnership with the Extended Schools in the planning and development of the childcare element, for example breakfast clubs and holiday school provision.

11.  To support the development of activities which support the development of new childcare provision.

12.  To monitor the implementation and delivery of the integrated education and childcare offer in Children’s Centres.

13.  To liaise with the Business Development Team to access business planning support for Children’s Centres.

14.  To provide guidance, advice and support to the range of childcare providers in the maintained, private and voluntary sectors in delivering high quality services.

15.  To provide advice and support on Ofsted registration requirements. This includes all aspects of the service from the suitability of premises, advising on statutory qualification requirements and ratio of adults to children.

16.  To establish effective working partnerships with private, voluntary and independent providers to support sustainable development of childcare.

17.  To work with providers to adapt and design services in response to expressed need. This includes analysing and assessing whether the needs of the local community match the services offered.

18.  To advise childcare providers to of the needs of the local community and work in partnership in order to meet the local requirements.

19.  To encourage parent participation in identifying need.

20.  Ensure that providers encourage and offer support and advice on service offers.

21.  To access additional sources of funding to develop creative and innovative childcare solutions. This could include completing complex application forms and bidding for funding.

22.  Advising on the quality of the provisions.

23.  To keep abreast of national and local developments in childcare and ensuring that any changes are communicated within the department and an impact assessment is communicated in the appropriate format.

24.  To be responsible for preparing reports and briefing papers as required. This includes ensuring each town centre area partnership board is aware of the current level of childcare development.

25.  To attend conferences, seminars and internal and external meetings to represent the service.

26.  To deputise for the Childcare Development Manager in particular when advice is required on the Officers area of expertise.

27.  To advise on the quality and standard of communications within the department on their area of expertise.

28.  To observe all health and safety rules and guidance and to take all reasonable care to promote the health and safety at work of yourself and your fellow employees.

29.  To carry out the responsibilities of the post at all times with due regard to equal opportunities, the Data Protection Act and the maintenance of confidentiality and service user choice.23.

30.  To take responsibility, appropriate to the post for tacking racism and promoting good race, ethnic and community relations.

31.  To undertake such other duties as are consistence with the purpose and grade of the post.

Community Children’s Service

Competency Based Person Specification – Childcare Development Officer

In your written application, you will need to give evidence or examples of your proven experience in each of the criteria marked essential. Evidence of other areas will be sought at interview and/or test (as highlighted).

If you are applying under the two ticks scheme, you will need to give evidence or examples of your proven experience in the areas marked with PP on the personal specification when you complete the application form.

Criteria / Description / Shortlisting
Criteria
Key Knowledge / K1 NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in childcare and education or a willingness to undertake training to achieve this qualification.
K2 Knowledge of the Childcare Strategy.
K3 Knowledge of child development and good Practice.
K4 Knowledge of full range of childcare provision. / PP Essential
PP Essential
Relevant Experience / E1 Experience in childcare development.
E2 Experience of project management. / Essential
Key
Competencies / P2 Promoting the Service
Seizes opportunities to create a positive and professional image of the service through discussion and personal example. / PP Essential
P3 Collaborating and Teamwork
Demonstrates commitment to colleagues, team objectives and collaborative working opportunities. / PP Essential
P4 Developing Productive Relationships
Builds effective working relationships with a diversity of individuals and groups.
P5 Communicating in Writing
Produces clear, succinct and well structured written work which creates a positive impact. / PP Essential
P6 Communicating Orally
Conveys messages effectively, creating a positive impact on the listener(s). / Essential
P10 Planning and Co-ordinating
Establishes clear targets, defines plans and co-ordinates resources in order to meet them.
P16 Delivering Customer Centred Services
Achieves customer satisfaction by identifying genuine needs and jointly developing effective solutions.
P17 Delivering Results
Works hard, Takes ownership and consistently meets or exceeds targets. / PP Essential
P19 Promoting Diversity
Promotes respect for all people, recognises differing needs and expectations and challenges all oppressive practice. / PP Essential

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