Appointment details
Nursery Carer (Bank Staff)
Closing date
15 April 2015
Ref: R150076
Contents
 About Aston University
 Welcome from Alan Charters, Chief of Operations and Estates
 Aston University Nursery
 Role description
 Person specification
 How to apply and the selection process
 Main requirements for the engagement of casual workers
About Aston University
At a time of significant change within the Higher
Education sector, with more emphasis being placed on
widening participation, graduate employment, the
student experience and the impact of research on
society, Aston looks forward to the future with
confidence.
Aston’s vision is to be the UK’s leading University for
business, enterprise and the professions, where
original research has a positive impact on the world
around us. Aston’s strategy ‘Forward to 2020’
describes Aston as a top research-led international
University renowned for developing future leaders of
business and the professions.
We already ‘punch above our weight’ and have high,
yet realistic, aspirations for 2020 that include:
 Ranked within the top 1% of universities in the
world, and consistently in the Top 20 in the UK
 In the Top 10 for Graduate Employability in the
UK and Top 40 worldwide
 Focussed on the needs of business and the
professions, with all Aston undergraduate
students taking part in integrated work
experience
 Carrying out world class research that leads to
the creation of practical and applicable
solutions for the challenges of the future, and
contributes to the development of research
leaders and entrepreneurs
 Providing an inspiring, challenge-based
education for students, equipping them to
develop into global citizens, with the skills,
knowledge and confidence they will need to
achieve their goals and reach their full life
potential
 Engaging with our community and city,
recruiting students with talent regardless of
income and background, and partnering with
business, the professions and the public sector
 Putting sustainability at the centre of all we do,
ensuring that Aston is one of the greenest and
most sustainable of all UK universities, in the
Top 5 of the People and Planet League.
Students are at the heart of everything we do within
Aston’s small and friendly community – in the way we
think and in the way we act. The student experience is
distinctive and unique at Aston because it is built and
lived by students and staff as equal partners in the
relationship. Our students are engaged in all aspects
of their academic and social lives at Aston; our staff
are genuinely interested in their students, their
success and their welfare, and are universally
approachable and friendly.
Welcome from Alan Charters
Dear applicant
I am delighted that you are considering applying for this position at what is a particularly exciting time
for Aston University, and an incredibly challenging time for the Higher Education (HE) sector. The HE
sector is currently experiencing an unprecedented scale and pace of change, combined with a high
degree of ambiguity and uncertainty.
Whilst there are some ‘knowns’ - HEFCE funding for both teaching and capital investment has
experienced dramatic reductions, the impact of the UK’s new visa regime on international student
numbers - there are equally important ‘unknowns’ - to what extent will student expectations rise as a
result of the increased fees. Universities who are able to adapt swiftly to a changing and increasingly
competitive market will thrive.
Aston is well positioned for the future. Our vision ‘Employable Graduates; Exploitable Research’ not
only inspires and motivates students, but speaks to business and governments, who will increasingly
look to Aston for ideas and partnership.
I look forward to receiving your application, and learning more about how you feel you can contribute to
Aston’s continuing success.
Alan Charters
Chief of Operations and Estates
Aston University Nursery
Aston University Nursery was founded in 1973 with a
commitment to provide the highest standards of care
and education.
We cater for up to 70 children from the age of 5
months to 8 years. We have four nursery rooms
where children are grouped primarily according to their
age and stage of development allowing for their
individual needs to be catered for.
We aim to provide every child with the best possible
start in life and provide them with the support they
require to enable them to reach their full potential. We
.
pride ourselves on providing a nurturing environment
to help your child feel secure and cared for. We
provide a fun learning environment in which children
can develop a secure foundation for future learning.
Our commitment to learning through play ensures that
each child develops confidence as they learn to
explore, to think about problems and to relate to
others.
For more information, visit our website
www1.aston.ac.uk/about/nursery
Organisational structure
Casual Workers Role Description
Work as part of a team, and with parents, to create a happy and stimulating atmosphere where children can develop
to the full their emotional, physical, social and intellectual potential in a bright, attractive, safe and healthy
environment. In all aspects of your work you should aim to provide the highest standards of care possible for the
children. When making decisions, the safety, wellbeing and security of the children in your care have priority at all
times.
Responsibilities
Work with children
 Care for the physical, intellectual, emotional and social wellbeing and development of the children.
 Assess and record the progress of children within your care, identify strengths and weakness and plan a
variety of stimulating activities to develop children to their full potential.
 Establish caring relationships with children and parents within an equal opportunities and non-judgmental
framework. To work in partnership with parents to provide the best care possible for their children.
 Promote full, consistent and relevant exchanges of information with parents and colleagues in a professional
manner.
 Promote positive cultural images in both general attitude and creative activities ensuring that all of the
children, regardless of cultural or religious influences, are seen as valuable members of society.
 Maintain high standards of hygiene, cleanliness and safety in all areas of the Nursery.
 Monitor and suggest ways to develop the daily routine and record keeping procedures in co-operation with the
Nursery Officer, to reflect children’s and their parent’s needs and other influences.
 Support, as directed, the training of child care students, and co-operate with the Student Supervisor and
relevant student projects.
 Work within the national standards for day-care laid down by Ofsted as well as established Nursery care
practices.
Additional responsibilities
 Accept guidance from the Nursery Officer concerning day to day care practices.
 Discuss concerns, ideas and new developments with the Nursery Officer.
 Challenge stereotypical and racist attitudes.
Occasional duties
 Assist with the organisation, supervision etc. of day-trips, Christmas parties etc.
 Assist with fund raising activities.
Flexibility
 At all times the casual worker should be prepared to be flexible and to work in whatever area needs their
skills.
 It is expected that in emergency and unusual situations all staff will help with whatever duties are necessary to
ensure the effective operation of the Nursery.
General
 The casual worker has a general responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of all children in the Nursery at all
times. With this in mind, it is the responsibility of the casual worker to be aware of what constitutes good care
practices. Any casual worker who has concerns regarding inappropriate practices must report this to the
Nursery Manager, a member of the management team, or the Chief Operating Officer.
 We aspire to the highest standards of service and friendliness from all our staff. We expect staff to maintain
at all times, a high standard of professionalism, especially in relation to work practices, confidentiality and
integrity.
Casual Workers Person specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
Method of assessment
Basic literacy in English.
Application form
NVQ level 2 in Child Care and education or willing to
work towards this qualification.
Experience
Current and relevant experience in the under-five’s age
group.
Application form,
interview
Aptitude and skills
An understanding of own motivation for childcare work.
Interview
Approachable, with good interpersonal skills, and able to
communicate with a range of people parents, children,
staff visitors and senior managers.
Reliable, with good time-keeping skills.
Ability to reflect on experiences to enable selfdevelopment.
An understanding of work practices in a day nursery
setting.
Application form,
interview
The ability to retain and interpret information provided
such as policies and procedures which regulate work
practices.
Demonstrates a commitment to equal opportunities.
Training and Development
An understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Application form,
interview
Desirable
Method of assessment
Experience
Current and relevant experience in a good day nursery
work environment.
Application form,
interview
Aptitude and skills
A good knowledge of Child Development from 0 to 5
years.
Application form,
interview
Other
Formal training in childcare.
Application form
How to apply and the selection process
Please visit our website aston.ac.uk/jobs to apply online. If you do not have internet access, call 0121 204 4500 and
leave your name and address quoting the job title and reference number:
Closing date for applications
15 April 2015
Interview date
W/C 27 April 2015
Please contact Dionne Rutty, Deputy Nursery Manager, for an informal discussion about the role.
Tel: +44(0) 121 204 5323 Email: [email protected]
If you would like information on the progress of your application, advice on any aspect of the appointment process, or
a conversation about our terms and conditions of service, please contact:
Anne-Marie Lokwiya
HR Advisor
+44 (0) 121 204 5385
[email protected]
Sarah Taylor
HR Advisor
+44 (0) 121 204 4573
[email protected]
Main Requirements for the Engagement of Casual
Workers
Qualifications
Successful candidates will be required to produce evidence of their qualifications
upon joining the University.
Eligibility to work in the UK
Candidates who are not citizens of the United Kingdom, or of another EEA member
country, should ensure that they meet the requirements of one of the 5 tiers of the
immigration points based system.
Candidates should check their eligibility to enter or remain in the UK in advance of
making any job application using the points-based calculator on the UK Visas &
Immigration website. If you do not meet the minimum points requirement, you will
not be able to work in the UK and any application for employment would be
unsuccessful.
Document checks
As a result of the implementation of sections 15 to 26 of the Immigration, Asylum
and Nationality 2006 Act on 29 February 2008, the University requires all
prospective and, in some cases, current employees, to provide documentation to
verify their eligibility to work in the UK. Further information about these
requirements can be found on the UK Visas & Immigration website.
Equal opportunities
Aston University promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We aim
to ensure, through our admissions policies for students, and our staff recruitment
and selection processes, that we encourage applications from all groups
represented in the wider community at a local, national and international level.
The University will endeavour not to discriminate unfairly or illegally, directly or
indirectly, against students or potential students, staff or potential staff. This
commitment applies to all functions of the University and to any stage of an
individual’s career at Aston.
An Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form is included with the application form.
Data Protection Act 1998
Your application will only be used to inform the selection process, unless you are
successful, in which case it will form the basis of your personal record with the
University which will be stored in manual and/or electronic files. Information in
statistical form on present and former employees is given to appropriate outside
bodies.
Data you provide on the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be included in a
general database, for statistical monitoring purposes, enabling the University to
monitor the effectiveness of its Policy, Code of Practice and Guidelines on Equal
Opportunities in Employment. Individuals will not be identified by name.
Disclosure and Barring
Service (DBS)
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a person with a criminal record is
not required to disclose any spent convictions unless the position they are applying
for is listed as an exception under the act.
Since this post may involve substantial unsupervised contact with young people
and/or vulnerable adults, it is an exception under the act and the successful
applicant will be required to undergo a DBS check.