The Children’s Society is a leading children’s charity committed to making childhood better. We work with children across the country, providing the right support at the right time. We commissioned The Good Childhood® Inquiry; the UK's first independent national inquiry into childhood. Its aims were to renew society's understanding of modern childhood and to inform, improve and inspire all our relationships with children.

We are looking for Bank Early Years Practitioners to join the staff team within the Paddocks Nursery which is situated within Wiveliscombe Children’s Centre.

The Nursery is open from 8-00am to 6-00pm Monday to Friday and our vision is that the Nursery provides high quality, inclusive and integrated early learning and childcare for children aged 0 to 5.

In our first OFSTED inspection in November 2008 we scored an overall grade of ‘good’.

We are looking for staff with NVQ level 2 in childcare or play who are able to provide cover for holidays, sickness and training. You will work in partnership with parents/carers to promote the well being and happiness of babies and children within the nursery and will provide high quality early education and childcare. Hours will vary and are not guaranteed.

Bank Early Years Practitioner

Job purpose: 

• To work in partnership with parents / carers to promote the well being and happiness of babies and children within the nursery
• To provide high quality combined early education and child care

Reporting to:

Childcare Manager

Reward band:

Ancillary Staff A  SAXN   £6.09 to £6.74 per hour

Key activities: 

• To provide a welcoming environment for all children and their parents / carers
• To work closely with parents in the nursery and within the community to care for each child’s individual needs
• To use models of participation to enable children’s voices to be heard in the evaluation and decision making process
• To encourage children to be independent, make choices and become aware of the needs of others
• To work alongside other nursery staff to support a culture of excellence in play within the nursery and to lead by example and support students and volunteers
• To record, store and share information appropriately with regard for confidentiality and safe practice
• To work as a member of the nursery team, to plan, prepare, deliver and evaluate nursery activities with guidance from senior staff

Location:

Wiveliscombe Children’s Centre

Attainment:

In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have:

Qualifications

• A level II qualification in childcare or play

Skills/Work based knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of early years learning and child development within the context of the family
  

Core competencies:

In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to:

Agree and meet targets

• Support the nursery plan and quality standards, and to deadline

Manage Yourself

• Get on with work with guidance
• Demonstrates a willingness to learn
• Behave in a way that is consistent with The Children’s Society values, and Sure Start standards

Lead Others

• To be a good role model for parents, students and visitors
• Co-operate well with manager and colleagues
• Respond positively to suggestions and feedback

Building and Maintaining Relationships

• Develop positive working relationships with colleagues and service users
• Able to work co-operatively as a member of a team
• View others positively

Communicating with Others

• Able to communicate clearly
• To use appropriate methods of communication with children aged 0 to 4
• Record and share essential information

Providing Service to Others

• Able to listen to others and be positive about meeting their needs

Continuously Improving

• Work to quality standards with guidance

Managing Resources

• Support the efficient use of resources

Special job circumstances:

The post has the following special circumstances:

• This post is to provide cover for holidays, sickness and training – hours will vary and are not guaranteed 
• Occasional evening/weekend work with prior notice
• To work outside on a daily basis
• To be flexible to meet the needs of a new venture
• To work in a similar capacity within the Sure Start Local Programme if required to do so

Relevant personal characteristics:

So that you personally can succeed in this role and with the Children’s Society you will require:

• An understanding and commitment to the mission, vision and values of the organisation
• An understanding and acceptance of the principles and values of the organisation
• A commitment to keeping children and young people safe
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice
• To be flexible, adaptable and able to cope with changing priorities