At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to nurture children's development in a fun, safe environment.
- Company: Join Spring Nurseries, a family-focused nursery dedicated to children's growth and staff support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days off, counselling support, childcare discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace, encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career in early years education.
- Qualifications: Level 3 early years qualification and experience in leading a childcare setting.
The predicted salary is between 27300 - 27300 £ per year.
Location: Winlaton, Blaydon on Tyne
Salary: £27,300 per annum pro rata (depending on experience)
Contract/Hours: Permanent/Part Time – 20 hours per week
Benefits:
- Time off to recharge – 25 days plus bank holidays
- 24/7 Confidential Helpline - speak to trained counsellors any time, 365 days a year, for emotional, wellbeing or mental health support.
- Enhanced Wellbeing - 8 sessions In-Person, Phone, or Online Counselling or CBT
- Staff discounts portal and blue light card with 15,000 retailers
- Childcare Discount – Enjoy 60% off childcare within our nurseries and out of school clubs
- Up to 3 Days Dependency Leave – to care for dependents in an emergency.
- Paid maternity, adoption, and paternity leave
- Gain professional qualifications - with excellent training/development opportunities
- Salary Finance - access to financial advice and the ability to manage savings or loans directly from your salary
- Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
About the nursery:
Spring Blaydon is a small, cosy nursery set within the grounds of a local primary school, offering a warm and welcoming environment where children feel safe, valued and ready to learn. The team plays a strong emphasis on storytelling, songs and rhymes, creating a language rich setting that supports early communication and the love of learning from the very start. The team work closely together to provide a nurturing, play based curriculum where every child is encouraged to explore, develop independence and thrive at their own pace.
About the role:
We're looking for a Senior Early Years Practitioner to play a key leadership role within our nursery. In this position, you'll support the development and well-being of children across the setting while guiding and inspiring colleagues around you. As Senior Practitioner, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of your designated room, ensuring a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment where every child can thrive. You'll be a role model for best practice, supporting staff development and maintaining high standards of care and education in line with the regulatory requirements and nursery values.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading the staff within the room on providing learning programmes for individual or groups of children appropriate to their needs and developmental stages in accordance with Early Years legislation and guidance.
- Ensuring the compliance and application of nursery policies and procedures and relevant legislative requirements, informing management immediately of any instances of non-compliance or variations in practices.
- Contributing to and participating in the wider nursery management through leading on specific areas of development within the nursery, as directed by the Nursery Manager.
- Preparing and supervising dedicated areas/rooms within the setting on specific working patterns through planning, monitoring of outcomes, managing ratio of children, and the provision of a stimulating and appropriate range of activities whilst ensuring health and care needs are met.
What we need from you:
- Level 3 early years and childcare qualification e.g., NNEB, CACHE, NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education.
- A thorough knowledge of children's developmental needs from 0 to 5 years.
- Experience working and leading in an early year setting.
- Strong planning, observation and reflection of children and their learning.
- Effective communication skills across multiple age groups.
- Paediatric First Aid qualification.
Contact:
If you need support with your application, please contact our Recruitment Team at RecruitmentService@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13165.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion:
At Spring Oscars we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within the organisation. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups. Male staff are often under-represented within this sector, and we would like to encourage more male applicants for our roles. We are committed to safer recruitment practices to protect our service users; therefore, all applicants are expected to have an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding best-practice.
Application Process:
Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. There are 5 sections for you to complete - Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration – please refer to the Job Description when applying. We also want to know what unique qualities you can bring to help us reach our vision for children and families.
Talent Pool:
We're sure you've got what it takes to join our ambitious team. If you're unsuccessful this time around, we'd like to hold your details in case similar jobs come up that you might be better suited for. But feel free to let us know if you'd rather we didn't do that.
Want to know more about Spring and Oscars? Check out our socials on Linkedin, Facebook or Youtube.
Senior Early Years Practitioner employer: Action for Children
At Spring Nurseries, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing environment where both children and staff can thrive. Located in the heart of Winlaton, our small, cosy nursery fosters a strong sense of community, providing generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, extensive wellbeing support, and opportunities for professional development. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values creativity, collaboration, and the growth of every individual, ensuring a rewarding career in early years education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Early Years Practitioner
✨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 Senior Early Years 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
Get social! Follow Spring Nurseries on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms. Engage with their posts and share your passion for early years education. This not only shows your interest but also helps you stay updated on any new opportunities they might post.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of early years legislation and best practices. Think about how you can demonstrate your leadership skills and experience in nurturing children's development during the interview. We want to see your passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our family at Spring Nurseries. Let's make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Early Years Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Early Years Practitioner role. Highlight your relevant experience, qualifications, and any specific skills that match what we're looking for. This shows us you’re serious about the position!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our nursery. Share your passion for early years education and how your values align with ours at Spring Nurseries.
Showcase Your Unique Qualities:We want to know what makes you stand out! In your application, mention any unique qualities or experiences that can help us reach our vision for children and families. This is your moment to be memorable!
Follow the Application Process:Don’t forget to follow the application process outlined in the job description. Complete all five sections carefully, and if you need help, reach out to our Recruitment Team. We’re here to support you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of early years legislation and child development. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children aged 0 to 5, as well as the nursery's values and policies. This will show that you're not just qualified, but genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Early Years Practitioner, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully guided colleagues or managed a classroom environment. Think about times when you've inspired others or implemented effective learning programmes.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Approach
Expect questions about your planning, observation, and reflection techniques. Be prepared to discuss how you create a stimulating environment for children and how you adapt activities to meet their developmental stages. Use specific examples from your experience to illustrate your points.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready to ask the interviewer. This could be about the nursery's approach to staff development or how they support children's individual needs. It shows you're engaged and thinking about how you can contribute to their team.
