Nursery Officer in Leeds

Salary: B3 £27,274 - £29,071 (pro rata)
Hours: 37 all year round
Contract: Permanent
Location: Little Owls Osmondthorpe

Are you interested in a career in childcare? Little Owls nurseries are currently recruiting for nursery officers. Little Owls is a great place to progress in your childcare career and many of our officers move on to become managers. We support staff to learn and progress by offering regular training.

As a nursery officer based in one of our Little Owls nurseries you will be part of a great team and will deliver a high standard of care which meets the individual needs of the children. It is rewarding work, as well as energetic and at times challenging. We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.

You will:

• Provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
• Be responsible for ensuring that the day to day childcare provision in your assigned room is of a high standard.
• Work with the wider leadership team to ensure a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is provided.

About you:

We are looking for qualified, enthusiastic, adaptable candidates with personal qualities to care for and develop young children. You must have:

• Ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
• Ability to safeguard children and support them to develop their resilience.
• Able to effectively use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to lead planning and evaluation of activities to aid children’s learning.
• Able to write and oversee the production of reports and plans to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing, to the required standard.

We expect the following experience and qualifications:

• Minimum of level 3 qualification in childcare.
• Good standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Recent experience of working with young children and families.

What we offer you:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How to apply:

Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

Please be aware that successful applicants will be employed by LCC and not a particular centre and could be asked to work at any of the city wide Little Owls Nurseries.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Samantha Oakes (Day Care Manager) Tel: 0113 3367296 Email: samantha.oakes@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period.

Job purpose:

Under the general direction of the Manager and Senior staff, to work as part of the team to deliver a high standard of care which meets the individual needs of the children. To make and maintain positive relationships with the children and to safely meet the physical care and management needs of children. All staff are required to support the services’ main purpose of encouraging and enabling children to develop, behaviourally, educationally, and emotionally.

Responsibilities:

• To lead and provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
• To lead and provide a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum that will meet the requirements of relevant National and Local standards.
• To establish and deliver on Individual Education Programmes (IEP) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND).
• To observe and monitor children’s development and prepare written reports of their progress, to promote their wellbeing.
• To liaise with and provide professional advice to, parents/carers; and other professionals involved with the child.
• To maintain client confidentiality.
• To liaise with the local primary school teachers and prepare reports that will support the child’s transition into school.
• To report any injury or accident ensuring that the Health and Safety of the individual is maintained.
• To understand and operate the policies and procedures for the administration of medication including accurately recording and verifying drug sheets.
• To follow the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury, complying with Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.
• To support student placements: to prepare and present accurate, concise reports on these to the Manager and/or college tutors.
• To support parents, carers and families in the successful admission and transition of their children.
• To organise and participate in interesting and appropriate educational visits for children and families, observing health and safety policies and making risk assessments.
• To take responsibility for the securing of the building and resources if required.
• To assist the management in providing professional support to parents and outside agencies on issues relating to child protection.
• To take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
• To participate in and provide training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Service.
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications:

It is an essential requirement of this post that the post holder should hold a minimum of a full and relevant Level 3 qualification as defined by the Sector Skills Council for Childcare.

Essential requirements:

• Able to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
• Able to motivate children through positive role modelling and sustain their interest in play activities.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to listen and accept instructions.
• Ability to safeguard children and support them to develop their resilience.
• Able to effectively use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to lead planning and evaluation of activities to aid children’s learning.
• Able to write and oversee the production of reports and plans to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing, to the required standard.
• Able to offer support to children and families in a culturally sensitive, positive and non-judgemental way.
• Able to work in partnership with parents and carers to support their children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
• Able to complete risk assessments.
• Able to support the development of children with special educational needs and disabilities in an inclusive setting.
• Able to supervise students and apprentices.
• Able to use ICT packages, including Word and Excel.
• An ability to work with staff at all levels, working as part of a team, contributing to team cohesion and liaising with other professionals.
• A flexible approach to working hours with the ability to change shift patterns as required.
• A minimum of a full and relevant Level 3 qualification as defined by sector skills council for childcare.
• GCSE Maths and English at grades A*-C or equivalent.
• A relevant and current Paediatric First Aid or Emergency Paediatric First Aid certificate or a commitment to achieve this within the first 3 months of employment.
• Knowledge and understanding of practice in Safeguarding children and Local Safeguarding Board procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding of current legislation, policy and guidance relating to the work of Sure Start Children’s Centres.
• Experience of professional employment in work with young children and families.
• Experience of working in partnership with other agencies.
• Experience of working in close partnership with parents and carers.
• Experience of professional employment in a nursery environment.
• Experience of practice related to Child Protection issues.
• Experience of supervising others.
• Experience of leading practice within a nursery environment.
• Experience of teamwork.
• Experience of leading in planning to organise play experiences for children.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics:

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.