Line Management Responsibility

Job Description

Post Designation / Early Years Practitioner / Grade
Sc3
Organisation / Homestart Greenwich, Central A Children’s Centres
Reports to / Service Development Manager

Line management responsibility

None

Budget responsibility

None

Purpose of the Job

To be an excellent crèche worker, in close liaison with the children’s centre teacher and other colleagues.

To work with children and their families to deliver Together for Twos sessions, creches and stay and play sessions and other learning activities, to enable them to access informal learning and play experiences and social activities.

To empower and support parents/carers to become actively involved in their children’s learning and development.

To support the delivery of the Children and Young People Plan and the requirements of the Childcare Act 2006 and related legislation.

Main Duties

1. To provide a high standard of quality care and education in stay and play sessions and crèches.

1. To contribute effectively to the planning and provision of activities in relation to the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance.

1. To help children develop positive relationships with adults and peers to enable them to play and learn effectively, and increase their self confidence and realise their potential.

1. To liaise effectively with parents/carers, informing them of their child’s progress.

1. To actively support the growth of confidence and self-esteem in babies, children and their families.

1. To assist in developing and maintaining an environment that promotes physical, emotional and social development for children of all ages and abilities, through a range of arts, crafts, games and activities, both indoors and outdoors.

1. To set out and clear away play materials and equipment to ensure a welcoming, safe environment.

1. To actively promote an inclusive environment for all children and families that reflects diversity and children’s individual needs and ensures all children are effectively integrated into the activities.

1. To support delivery of toy library services.

1. To be aware of and comply with the Ofsted registration requirements for crèches.

1. To work in partnership with other professionals delivering services from Greenwich children’s centres.

1. To carry out appropriate tasks in order that a high standard of hygiene, safety and cleanliness is maintained at all times including to help clean the various toys and equipment used at the session.

1. To carry out and/or participate in risk assessments as required pertaining to health & safety for centre activities, including outdoor play areas.

1. To report any concerns regarding the physical and emotional well being of a child to the designated senior member of staff.

1. To take part in local events to promote the work of the children’s centre.

1. To provide information and signpost parents/carers as appropriate.

1. To manage own time effectively and complete all responsibilities of a shift or support session.

1. To maintain a working knowledge of Safeguarding policies and procedures and an understanding of how this applies to the role

1. To participate as requested in common assessment framework procedures involving children supported by the children’s centre and any review or case conference meetings.

1. To participate in in-service and other training programmes as required, and maintain personal and professional development in order to meet the changing demands of the post.

1. To carry out any other work as appropriate to the level and general nature of the duties of the post.

1. To develop good working relationships with appropriate staff within the service and other external agencies.

1. To ensure that the duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with the Data Protection Act and related legislation and regulations.

1. To carry out all duties with due regard to the provisions of health and safety regulations and legislation and the Council’s equal opportunities and customer care policies.

1. To carry out occasional weekend and evening work in context of both this specific role and the wider needs of the service.

1. To follow the code of conduct and safeguarding procedures for the service and to report any concerns appropriately.

Person Specification
JOB TITLE: Early Years Practitioner
Criteria / Method of Assessment / Shortlisting Criteria
A - APPLICATION
T - TEST
P - PRESENTATION
Experience/Education / I - INTERVIEW
NVQ Level 3 in Child Development & Learning or equivalent / A / *
Experience of working in crèches, parent and toddler, stay and play sessions,etc. at various venues / A/I / *
Experience of supporting play provision supported by evidence based approaches outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage / A/I / *
Post qualifying experience of working with children under 5 years of age and their families / A/I / *
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures / A/I / *
Able to accept and respond to the varying needs of families in a non-judgemental way. / A/I / *
Ability to communicate information clearly both orally and in writing / A/T
Able to manage workload, meet set performance targets, apply good time management and organisation to work / A/I
Knowledge and understanding of working with children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds, provision for disabled children and those with special needs / A/I / *
Able to work effectively in partnership with families, children, the staff team and other colleagues across agencies / A / *
Ability to contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes / A/I / *
Equal Opportunities
A good knowledge and understanding of equalities/diversity issues. / A/I / *
Committed to adhere to Homestart Greenwich’s Policies and Procedures / A/I
Other Requirements
A satisfactory sickness record of not more than 9 days or four periods in a twelve month period. / INTERVIEW
Enhanced DBS disclosure required for the post, as well as a suitable Disqualification by Association status. / A/I