First Steps Enterprise Limited & Netherton Children’s Centre Job Title: Lead Childcare Practitioner Pay: £8.50 per hour / 18 hours per week Fixed-term to 31st December 2015 We are looking for a dynamic, motivated professional to lead childcare sessions in the on-site nursery and activities in the centre. An early years/childcare qualification at level 3 will be required Aims of Post   To lead childcare sessions in the on-site nursery, delivering high quality early years care. To lead crèche and parent & child activities (i.e. stay & play), which promote parent & child interaction and the development of the child. Responsible to:   Day-to-day – Children’s Centre Nursery Manager Employer – First Steps Enterprise Managing Director Responsible for: N/a Main Responsibilities 1. To work as part of the children’s centre team to deliver high quality early years 2. Assist the manager with ensuring the nursery complies with all regulations and recommendations determined by OFSTED via the Early Years Foundation Stage and Every Child Matters in matters relating to the required standards, inspection and other associated issues. 3. To ensure parents/carers and children are welcomed in a professional manner, to carry out registration and reception duties 4. Ensuring the delivery of creative play opportunities in a safe and caring environment. 5. Providing full care for the children including safe delivery to parents and/or named carers. This will include providing refreshments and meal times. 6. Providing creative, appropriate play opportunities, preparing activities, helping organising the programme and so forth 7. To assist in the setting up and clearing of rooms for activities, including preparing snack and creating and updating wall displays. 8. To work as part of the children’s centre team to ensure a welcoming and friendly environment for children and families at all times. 9. To provide regular feedback to parents about their child’s development and progress. 10. To build and maintain positive relationships with children, staff, parents/carers and line management 11. To work within the framework of Safeguarding Children and Child Protection policy and procedures 12. To attend staff meetings and planning meetings as required 13. Assist with carrying out day-to-day administration, record keeping, ordering and purchasing materials and equipment. 14. To assist with providing data/monitoring information and reports as required by management, including children and their progress against EYFS 15. Administering First Aid as appropriate. 16. To assist with promoting and publicise the nursery to local parents and the community 17. Encouraging parental involvement and support of the nursery. 18. Carrying out all responsibilities and activities within an inclusive equal opportunities framework. 19. Working within agreed policies, including full regard to the setting’s Health and Safety and confidentiality policies and procedures 20. The post holder will be expected to take full responsibility for ensuring they are up to date with current childcare issues. Other Information    Physical Demands The work requires normal physical effort. It may occasionally involve lifting and handling of play equipment and other resources and to be involved in practical activities and the physical care of young children. Working Conditions Sessions are mainly Children’s Centre based, but staff will also be expected to attend other venues to support services or attend training. General The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not restrictive and the post holder may be required to undertake any other duties which may be required from time to time. Any such duties should not, however, substantially change the general character of the post. Criminal Records Bureau and Other Checks      A full enhanced DBS disclosure will be undertaken and any adverse findings could result in any offer of employment being withdrawn. Previous employer references will be requested Qualification checks will be undertaken Eligibility to work in UK Other checks may be undertaken PERSON SPECIFICATION – ESSENTIAL (or working towards) Qualifications & Training  NNEB,/BTEC/NVQ Level 3 equivalent childcare qualification  A current first aid certificate (can be arranged if expired)  Food Safety certificate (can be arranged if expired) Experience  A minimum of 1 years, experience post-qualified working with children aged 0-4  Some experience of being in a position of responsibility an advantage* Skills and Knowledge  Good knowledge and Understanding of OFSTED standards and regulations  Good knowledge and Understanding of Early Years Foundation Stage  An excellent understanding of good quality childcare and the principles and values underpinning it  Ability to lead, provide and facilitate safe, creative childcare sessions  Knowledge, understanding and practical experience of giving care to young children  Ability to produce reports as required  Ability to meet children’s individual needs  Some experience of administration  Some fundamental ICT skills  Ability to communicate confidently with a wide range of people, including staff at all levels, parents/carers, line management and others Attributes/Personal Qualities  Ability to lead childcare sessions  Ability to work on own initiative and manage own time effectively  Ability to use judgement and common sense  Commitment to equal opportunities for all children and families  Warm and caring personality – friendly and approachable for families  Commitment to partnership with families  Enthusiastic, innovative, energetic and able to motivate others  Motivated to develop and maintain high quality provision and practice  Able to accommodate any flexible working hours that may be required, including extra hours at required periods. (* denotes desirable) OTHER DETAILS            Salary: £8.50 per hours 18 hours per week Fixed-term to 31st December 2015 Annual leave based on number of hours worked per week and over the contract fixed-term period. This is done on a pro-rata basis of 25 days leave/175 hours, If the period of work covers any Christmas shutdown period of the centre, workers will be required to take hours from their leave allocation for this for the days they normally work – e.g. if a normal working day is a Monday but not a Tuesday, the worker would take the Monday as leave but not the Tuesday (non-Bank Holiday days) Bank holidays are additional where they fall on a worker’s normal working day only. Place of work: Netherton/The Grange Children’s Centre, and other community venues as required. Fixed-term in line with offer letter. Any extension beyond this period is not confirmed and is subject to funding and commissioning arrangements This post is funded through the placement children centre The post is subject to all checks highlighted above The post is subject to a 12-week probationary period