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- Tasks: Lead and inspire young minds while developing your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Company: Join Acorn, a nurturing nursery group dedicated to children's growth and development.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £500 recruitment bonus, competitive pay, generous leave, and childcare discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career in early years education.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in early years and experience in a similar role required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent training and career progression opportunities.
If you are offered a EYP role, you will receive a £500 recruitment bonus after successfully completing your 3 month probation period. We are looking for experienced Lead Practitioners to join our Nurseries based across Milton Keynes. This is a full time position 40 hours per week between the hours of 07:00 -18:15.
The Early Years Lead Practitioner role is a steppingstone into more senior positions and will allow for leadership skills to be developed through direct and ongoing support from senior staff. Excellent leadership skills are crucial for senior positions and the Early Years Lead Practitioner role will help develop these essential competencies.
The Early Years Lead Practitioner is a role suited to those with a good amount of practical experience within an early years setting, who is beginning to demonstrate ability to lead, support and nurture others within a team and is an excellent role model to others, including apprentices, volunteers and students. The candidate should have at least a level 3 qualification in early years and taken on at least one additional role, such as an Acorn Mentor, Health and Safety Rep, Employee Forum Rep etc.
The ideal candidate should have an eagerness to learn and develop their leadership skills with the support of senior staff and be keen to progress and develop their career with Acorn.
- To support a holistic approach to the curriculum
- To ensure basic care needs of individual children are met
- To ensure a high level of emotional well-being among children
- To have a good understanding of Acorn's ethos, values, policies and procedures and that they are reflected in daily practice
- To demonstrate Acorn's ethos, values policies and procedures in your practice and be a good role model
- A good working knowledge and practice of the EYFS, including the statutory guidance
- To have a sound knowledge of safeguarding procedures within Acorn and for external agencies
- To carry out tasks requested
- To lead the room in the absence of the Senior or Deputy manager within the room
- To work in partnership with the Senior or Deputy within the room to ensure smooth day to day running of your group
- To support and nurture staff in your group, in particular apprentices, students and volunteers
- To ensure the interactions with children are high quality and based on individual interests, need and/or stage of development
- To demonstrate a positive approach to children's behaviour working in-line with our policy and procedure
- To ensure there are professional, positive relationships demonstrated with parents/carers
- To safeguard all children in our care following procedures outlined in Acorn's policy and external procedures
- To ensure the environment offers rich, first-hand learning opportunities for all children which accommodates a holistic approach to the curriculum, providing awe, wonder and opportunities for children to think critically and independently
- To support in making sure resources and equipment are readily available, accessible and replenished both inside and outside
- To ensure children's interests are being met and appropriate teaching methods are being used to extend children's thinking and learning
- To support all staff, working as part of a team, adapting your role as necessary, and taking on specific responsibilities as required, including supporting inexperienced staff
- To begin to take lead on aspects of the role with the support of the Senior or Deputy within the room (e.g. mentoring, health and safety, etc)
- To continue to develop your leadership skills through direct support from the Senior of Deputy within the room
- To be responsive and aware of the individual needs of children whilst maintaining a safe and stimulating environment and keeping high levels of supervision of the whole group
- To ensure all children are making progress to their full potential
- To understand and implement planning in the moment
- To carry out observations regularly and ensure they are of high quality and in-line with Acorn's recommendations for planning in the moment
- To ensure all children are given the opportunity to be independent, physically challenged and able to take informed risks and are making progress to their full potential
- To complete paperwork in relation to the child, for example care plans, all about me forms, medicine forms, accident forms, transition forms and two-year progress check (where appropriate) etc
- To understand and implement the key person approach and be an effective key person
- To cascade any information or updates to the management and your staff team
- To keep abreast and adhere with changes in accordance to Acorn's policies and procedures
- To keep abreast of changes to early years guidance and legislation
- Work in partnership with the senior/deputy of your room to understand the overall analysis of the assessment and understand how you are going to support progress moving forward
- To work in partnership with the senior/deputy of your room to understand the skills and progression needs of the staff in your team and the room
- To have a good understanding of Acorn's core values, ethos and policies and ensure these are reflected in practice
- A high-quality provision to support children's learning across the curriculum
- To value parents as partners
- For all children to be happy, confident, self-assured and independent
- Effective communication with management, staff, children and parents/carers
- To role model outstanding practice and positive behaviour strategies to support individual children
- To be confident to talk to external agencies, including Ofsted
- To oversee the smooth running of the room in the absence of the Senior/Deputy
- To support and nurture the staff within your team
- To continually strive to develop your leadership skills
At Acorn, we're committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We value diverse perspectives and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. As an inclusive employer, we're happy to consider any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process. You must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and, due to the nature of our sector, all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually:
- 65% Childcare discount - Pro rata according to contracted hours
- Generous family leave
- Christmas closure
- 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
- 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Cyclescheme
- Techscheme
- Length of Service awards
- Pay advances for when times are tough
- Employee assistance wellbeing programme
Lead Early Years Practitioner - Across Milton Keynes employer: Acorn Early Years Foundation
Contact Detail:
Acorn Early Years Foundation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Early Years Practitioner - Across Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to early years settings. Think about how you can showcase your leadership skills and practical experience, as these are key for the Lead Early Years Practitioner role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on nurseries that align with your values and ethos. When you find a place that resonates with you, tailor your approach to show how you can contribute to their mission and culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Early Years Practitioner - Across Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through! We want to see how much you care about nurturing and supporting children’s development.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in early years settings. We’re looking for those who have taken on additional roles, so don’t forget to mention any mentoring or leadership experiences you've had!
Reflect Our Values: Familiarise yourself with Acorn's ethos and values, and weave them into your application. Show us how you embody these principles in your practice and how you can contribute to our inclusive environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn Early Years Foundation
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Acorn's ethos, values, and policies. Brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding procedures and be ready to discuss how you would implement these in your role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've demonstrated leadership in previous roles, whether it's mentoring apprentices or leading a team. Be ready to explain how you can support and nurture staff while ensuring high-quality interactions with children.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don't just answer questions; engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their experiences at Acorn and how they see the role evolving. This shows your eagerness to learn and develop within the company.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Think about past experiences where you had to adapt your approach and be prepared to share those stories.
