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- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team in a vibrant nursery environment focused on outdoor play.
- Company: Join Acorn, a nurturing nursery committed to children's growth and development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, and a 65% childcare discount.
- Why this job: Develop your leadership skills while making a real difference in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in early years and experience in a similar role required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for career progression and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
If you are offered an EYP role, you will receive a £500 recruitment bonus after successfully completing your 3 month probation period. We are looking for an experienced Lead Practitioner to join our nursery in Westcroft. This is a full time position 40 hours per week between the hours of 07:00 - 18:15.
Acorn at Westcroft is situated in the Westcroft District Centre, and is adjacent to our training centre where we host training for our staff and other early years professionals. The nursery has three outdoor play areas, giving children the opportunity to free-flow indoors and outdoors to access a full range of activities. Acorn places a strong emphasis on outdoor play and learning, and the children will be outdoors at some point every day, whatever the weather. Included in our fees are regular Forest School sessions. These exciting educational experiences are suitable for pre-schoolers and are delivered by fully trained forest school leaders and offer an innovative approach to outdoor play. We are very fortunate to have Howe Park Wood on our doorstep, which we visit regularly.
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 or 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.
Benefits:
- 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
Lead Practitioner in Milton Keynes employer: Acorn Early Years
Contact Detail:
Acorn Early Years Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Practitioner in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Lead Practitioner role. 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 related to leadership and child development. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for outdoor play and learning during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've implemented these practices in your previous roles, as it aligns perfectly with Acorn's ethos.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Practitioner in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Early Years: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your love for nurturing and supporting children's development.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the values and ethos of Acorn. Mention how your personal philosophy aligns with our commitment to outdoor play and holistic learning.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Since this role is all about leadership, don’t forget to showcase any previous experience where you’ve led a team or mentored others. We want to see how you can inspire and support your colleagues!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Acorn Early Years
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Acorn’s ethos, values, and policies. Familiarise yourself with the EYFS framework and safeguarding procedures. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also committed to the nursery's mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led or supported others in previous roles. Whether it’s mentoring apprentices or managing a team, be ready to discuss your experiences and how they align with the responsibilities of a Lead Practitioner.
✨Engage with Outdoor Learning
Since Acorn places a strong emphasis on outdoor play, think about how you can incorporate this into your teaching methods. Be prepared to share ideas on how to create engaging outdoor learning experiences for children.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the nursery’s approach to professional development or how they support staff in their leadership journey. This shows your eagerness to grow and contribute positively to the team.
