MANORGARDENS WELFARE TRUST

Job Description

Title:Early Years Practitioner

Grade:NJC Scale 14-17£20,254-£21,245 per annum (pro rata)

Hours:15 hours per week

Term:39 weeks per year

Overall Purpose:To work collaboratively withthe Pre-School staff team to provide a quality childcare service in line with theEarly Years Foundation Stage and all relevant objectives, policies, and legislation

Responsible To:The Pre-School Co-ordinator and through her to the Manor Gardens Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees

Liaison With:Parents and carers, professionals from other agencies (ie. Health Visitors, Islington Council Early Years Officers), and Manor Gardens Centre administrative and project staff.

Principle Tasks:

  1. To work as part of the Pre-School team to provide a constructive and creative environment for under 5’s and to further the seven areas of learning as specified in Action Plans and Curriculum Plans.
  1. To actively comply with the Pre-School’s policies and procedures, including those laid out in the Service Agreement with parents/carers.
  1. At all times ensure that the Pre-School children are safe and protected, and if in doubt implement the Safeguarding & Child Protection procedure.
  1. Ensure good health and safety practices at all times.
  1. With other staff, undertake assessments and observations of individual children as part of a planned approach.
  1. To encourage children to develop and form relationships based on mutual respect and awareness, and to discourage antisocial and discriminatory language and behaviour through reasoning and example.
  1. To be aware of the special needs of some children and of cultural, gender, and language differences, and ensure that this awareness fully informs work carried out.
  1. To administer any medication to children in line with the Pre-School’s policy on this.
  1. To assist with changing, toileting, dressing and cleaning of children as required.
  1. With other staff, set up activities and clear away equipment as required.
  1. To assist in planning and organising a good variety of play activities on a rota basis, including cultural festivals.
  1. To help organise any outings, parties and other events.
  1. To be accessible to and communicate with parents and carers both formally and informally about the development, needs and behaviour of their children, encourage parental contribution, and to assist the Co-ordinator and Assistant Co-ordinator in the speedy provision of information to parents/carers as appropriate.
  1. To assist in organising parents meetings, ensure that these take place on a regular basis, that parents/carers are facilitated to participate in them effectively, and that their comments and ideas are fed back in order to inform service development.
  1. To contribute to the production of Pre-School publicity and the Newsletter.
  1. To undertake continuing professional development training to ensure compliance with the changing legal requirements in the childcare sector.
  1. To attend further training to refresh and/or acquire new skills as required by the post
  1. To attend Pre-School Team meetings
  1. To attend regular Manor Gardens Centre Staff Meetings.
  1. To undergo regular staff supervision and participate in the annual Appraisal Procedure.
  1. To perform any other tasks that may be required from time to time

Person Specification

  • Hold a recognised childcare qualification of minimum NVQ-3
  • Have a minimum of 2 years experience as a childcare practitioner
  • Be knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage in child development.
  • Be committed to providing good quality childcare in a multi-cultural setting
  • Be familiar with Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures and at all times seek to ensure Pre-School children’s safety and wellbeing
  • Have good literacy skills and the ability to write professional observation reports.
  • Be committed to working collaboratively within a team
  • Be organised, self-disciplined, reliable, conscientious and honest

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