Job Introduction
We have an exciting opportunity to be part of a new provision in our federation right from the beginning!!
The pre-school will be operational during term time only and members of staff will be employed on that basis. It will be operational for parents and children for 38 weeks annually, coinciding with term times, as it will close on federation inset days to allow staff to participate in ongoing professional development.
There will be a maximum of 24 children per session all aged from three years old upwards. We will be offering the core pre-school hours which all three years olds are entitled to (15 hours) but will also have breakfast, lunchtime and after school care on offer at an additional cost. We will open from 7.30am each day until 6pm. When we open we plan to have a pre-school manager, a deputy and two assistants who will be employed for 37 hours a week to cover the opening hours (this could be 7.15am until 3.15pm or until 10.15am until 6.15pm).
The role is to assist in the provision of a high standard of childcare within a stimulating and friendly environment that is physically and emotionally secure.
Main Responsibilities
- To assist welcoming children and settling them into pre-school as well as the preparation of children for collection by their parent or carer.
- In a developing role and under guidance of senior staff, to take key worker responsibility for a group of children, observing, monitoring, reviewing and recording the development of each child.
- To attend to the physical needs of children in the age range including (this may include feeding and changing for some children); to foster their development, independence and self-reliance; PE, toilet training/supervising.
- Report any concerns about a child who raises any physical, social or emotional concerns to a senior member of staff.
- To participate in taking children out of the pre-school on activity visits e.g. shopping, park, library and act in loco parentis, in the absence of parents
- To assist in the implementation of a curriculum of activities to ensure that the physical intellectual, emotional and social needs of each child are met
- To encourage children to explore and investigate structured play activities and games, developing social and motor skills.
- To encourage interaction between adults and children.
- To report to senior staff any child they observe is not thriving.
Key Expectations
Liaison with parents
- To assist in maintaining good working relationships with parents and as required participating in meetings with parents and carers.
- Where undertaking a key worker role, to liaise with parents on the care, progress and well-being of their child.
Resources
- Under the supervision of senior staff, to assist in the preparation of materials and equipment at the start of each session.
- To clear equipment away after use and help ensure all toys, equipment, rooms and play areas are kept safe and hygienic at all times and as clean and tidy as is practicable.
- To help maintain the safety of equipment and premises and to report any defects to senior staff.
Teamwork
- To work co-operatively as part of and where necessary to provide cover for other pre-school staff
- To attend and participate in staff meetings and training
Administration and Finance
- Where undertaking a key worker responsibility, to maintain appropriate records for particular children under the guidance of senior staff.
- To record data to support pre-school procedures under guidance as necessary.
Health, Safety and Welfare
- To maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene for children (including changing children’s clothes as required), equipment and environment
- To ensure that accidents are attended to immediately by a trained first aider then recorded and reported accurately
- provide comfort to sick or injured children
Development of individual pupils
- Interact and support children in their growth and understanding for example - assist in children’s play or dispel upsets
- To discuss and give input to the assessment of progress and refer any concerns to a senior member of staff
Resources / equipment
- Identify and report defects to a senior member of staff
- Identify and withdraw potentially dangerous toys and equipment and report to a senior member of staff
Working with very young children – emotionally and physically challenging. Please be aware of the potential working conditions
- Environmental and physical factors, physical effort or strain and frequency of occurrence.
- Exposure to bodily fluids –changing, vomit etc.
- Bending. stretching and working at low levels e.g. on the floor
- Lifting and carrying equipment
We are looking for
- Have a genuine interest and some experience of working with the age range of children
- Good team player who can contribute effectively to a multi-agency approach
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Maths and English qualifications to at least GCSE (pass+) or equivalent (e.g. functional skills)
- Demonstrate a commitment to working towards a suitable vocational qualification in child care (minimum requirement NVQ Level 2)
- Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise workload
- Willingness to continue with own professional development
- A sound knowledge of the early years curriculum and assessment
- Experience of working with young children and their families
- Experience of working in a pre-school is desirable but not essential
If you are interested in applying for this position please complete the Hampshire County Council Support Staff Application form. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further please contact Keira Manley, Head of Infant school at k.manley@croftonannedale-inf.hants.sch.uk.
Applications will close at midday on Friday 8th May and short listing will take place the following week with successful applicants invited to interview on either Friday 15th May or Tuesday 19th May.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
