Pre-School Deputy Manager - Job Description & Person Specification

Role Summary
To work as Deputy Manager, Key Person, and part of the Pre-School team under the direction of the Pre-School Manager in providing safe, high quality care and education for Pre-School children.
Provide inclusive play and learning opportunities for all children attending the Pre-School, assisting the Pre-School Manager with curriculum planning, staffing levels and behaviour management.
Reports to: Pre-School Manager
Reports (Direct and Indirect): In the absence of the Pre-School Manager: Pre-School Assistants (2-5), Administrator, Cleaner, volunteers. Responsible for a group of key children
Main Responsibilities & Duties
General:
·  Deputise for the Manager and be responsible for the daily running of the Pre-School, including care and welfare of the children and delivery of the curriculum, in her absence.
·  Support and liaise with the Manager on a daily basis
·  Adhere to the Pre-School’s policies and procedures, with particular regard to Health and Safety, Behaviour, Safeguarding Children, Equality and Diversity, Inclusion and Special Educational Needs, and Confidentiality
·  Be aware of, and responsible for, all aspects of health and safety, and to actively recognise that the safeguarding of children is paramount
Learning & Development:
·  Assist the manager and support other staff in the planning of activities following guidance from the EYFS curriculum
·  Supervise and assist with the daily setting up of indoor and outdoor environments to provide for the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of the children.
·  Ensure that all equipment and resources are maintained, tidied away and stored safely
·  Assist with the planning and implementation of the curriculum with age appropriate and stimulating activities ensuring that the children’s learning and development needs are met
·  Ensure that the children are able to make choices within their play and have the opportunities to engage in positive active play
·  Be a Key Person for a group of children
·  Use Tapestry to make observations and assessments of learning and development
·  Be proactive in identifying children’s next steps and planning for their needs
Working with others:
·  Support the manager in the appraising and mentoring of staff
·  Support the manager in the mentoring of students
·  Work in partnership with the children, parents / carers and other professionals.
To undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Chair of the management committee in accordance with the pre-school’s business plan-objectives.
NB: this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders that have been made against them.
Person Specification
Education & Experience
Essential / Desirable
o  Completion of a CWDC recognised full and relevant Level 3 Childcare qualification, e.g. Level 3 Diploma for the Children & Young People’s Workforce, NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
o  Completion of Safeguarding Foundation course (Group 3) within last 3 years – (for Safeguarding Designated Officer role.)
o  Good knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage national curriculum and child development
o  Experience of teaching in EYFS
o  Willingness to participate in other development and training opportunities
o  Full working knowledge of policies/codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation
o  Understanding and recognition of the principles of equality and diversity
o  Experience of working as part of a team and with other agencies/professionals
o  Ability to relate well to children and adults including other professionals/carers/parents
o  Experience of having kept written records of children’s achievements including observations
o  Ability to effectively use ICT to support learning / o  Relevant Level 4 Management or Level 5 childcare qualification or higher
o  Completion of Safeguarding Awareness course (Group 2) within last 3 years – (where not holding Safeguarding Designated Officer role.)
o  Understanding of principles of child development and learning processes and in particular barriers to learning
o  Knowledge and/or experience of other forms of communicating with children, eg. Makaton
o  Knowledge and understanding of the type of external support that is available to support children’s development and how to access these services.
Personal Skills
Essential / Desirable
o  Good communication skills
o  Ability to work as part of a team and lead where required
o  Enthusiasm for working with young children
o  Caring, friendly, approachable, open, inclusive, welcoming and personable
o  Reflective approach and commitment to personal development
o  Able to maintain confidentiality at all times