Early Years Practitioner / Nursery Assistant

Contract & Salary

We are currently looking to appoint Early Years Practitioners / Nursery Assistants to work as part of the team at Culford Nursery. We are looking for enthusiastic, passionate and knowledgeable individuals to join our growing team. We have a variety of hours available including the below. Please state what hours you are applying for when completing the application form.

• 30 hour a week all year round contract (qualified EYP) £20,982 per annum
• 40 hour a week term time only contract (qualified EYP) £21,305 per annum
• 20 hour a week part time all year round contract (qualified EYP) £13,988 per annum
• 20 hour a week part time term time only contract (qualified EYP) £10,653 per annum
• Zero hour contracts (Unqualified) £15.07 per hour

Salary is £13.45 per hour and £15.07 for zero hour contracts. Please note that Culford's term time varies from state school term time.

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

• To work as a key person within a 'family group', planning, creating and implementing engaging activities, tailored to each of your key children
• To provide safe, high-quality education and care for children aged 1-3
• To have full regard to the requirements of the Statutory Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Contribute towards an environment which safeguards children at all times
• Develop and maintain strong parent/ carer partnerships
• Promote and ensure child welfare, protection, health and safety and safeguarding
• Work with colleagues to maintain a positive, happy and safe environment
• To liaise closely with parents /carers, informing them about the nursery and its delivery of the EYFS, exchanging information about the children's progress and encouraging parental involvement
• Provide a safe and healthy environment for all children in the group at all times
• Provide comfort and care at all times and ensure that children feel welcome and safe
• Be familiar with safeguarding including own responsibilities together with care and risk assessment
• To meet the physical needs of children, encouraging good standards of personal hygiene, whilst promoting independence
• To provide support for the children's emotional and social needs by implementing the principles of our Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy and role modelling high standards in all aspects of their role and personal conduct
• To have a knowledge of and adhere to all Health and Safety Regulations
• To attend meetings as required and participate in training opportunities and performance development
• To undertake any duties set to you by the Management Team that will assist in the day-to-day running of the Nursery.

Skills and personal qualities

• Minimum of relevant Level 3 childcare qualification (or equivalent)
• Previous experience working with children 0-5 and a good knowledge of the EYFS
• Fully supportive of the aims and ethos of an independent school
• A good standard of written, spoken and listening skills
• A high level of flexibility with a 'can do' attitude and an openness to new ideas and practices
• Dynamic and approachable, able to put people at ease, reassure, guide, and explain
• Ability to confidently work alongside children, staff and parents
• Understanding the age-appropriate needs and concerns of young children and having natural empathy with them
• Innovative, hard-working, driven and determined
• Resilient with a good sense of humour
• The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

What we can offer you

• Free lunch provided by the on-site catering team
• Membership of the Culford Sports and Tennis Centre
• Continuing Professional Development and networking opportunities
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to Health Cash Plan after 6 months' service
• Group Life Insurance after 6 months service

Safeguarding and EEO

Safeguarding Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo a child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Flexibility and Variation: This job description outlines the role as it stands at the date shown. Culford School periodically reviews job descriptions to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Changes may be made following consultation with the post holder. While the aim is to agree on reasonable changes, the School reserves the right to change the job description following consultation. All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks to meet vetting and barring requirements. For more information about that process please refer to the application form. As an equal opportunities employer, Culford School is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Culford School. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out, references will be sought and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies. We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. As you have been shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account. If you are unsure whether you need to disclose criminal information, you should seek legal advice or you may wish to contact Nacro or Unlock for impartial advice. There is more information on filtering and protected offences on the Ministry of Justice website. Nacro - https://www.nacro.org.uk/criminal-record-support-service/ or phone 0300 123 1999