Early Years Support Assistant Trainee - DGA13325 in Thornhill

Wallace Hall Primary ELC is seeking an Early Years Support Assistant Trainee. You will be required to work 21 hours per week over 39 weeks per year. This post is fixed term for up to 18/8/2027. Post may be suitable for secondment. Agreement from your line manager must be sought before applying for this post.

The working pattern will be discussed at interview.

Wallace Hall Nursery is a well-resourced setting catering for children aged 2-5 years old, providing 1140 hrs service for children. We strive to provide an enriching, nurturing environment both indoors and out to help promote children's independence and curiosity.

This is an exciting opportunity to work and train in Early Learning and Childcare. Dumfries and Galloway Council are recruiting motivated, child-centred caring people to support our youngest children and their families in an expanding sector.

Wallace Hall is a rural school in Thornhill, which is situated 13 miles north of Dumfries. The secondary school roll is just under 580, the primary roll is 156 and the roll in our ELC is currently 48 pupils. In January 2010 we moved into our new school building which has excellent facilities. The school is now run as a 2-18 establishment with one Head Teacher.

Our school motto is Together we grow, learn and achieve. All stakeholders were consulted on the values of the school. Our vision is to provide a safe, happy environment where all learners can enjoy the school experience and can be challenged and encouraged to meet their full academic and vocational potential. We believe that 21st Century learners should develop the skills of communication, compassion, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, composure, citizenship and curiosity.

We enjoy a close partnership with our five cluster primaries. However, approximately 25% of our school roll comes from out with our catchment area. Our strong academic reputation and continued development of a more inclusive and flexible curriculum are seen as major strengths of the school and appeal to many parents and pupils.

Our school is dynamic and vibrant with a commitment to the development of both pupils and staff and the creation of a positive learning community. We presently have 65 teaching staff and 35 support staff, and have built strong links with a wide variety of partner agencies including the Parent Council, CAMPLE LINE and the local Queensberry Estate. Our pupils and families are supported by a dedicated and professional team including a highly skilled support staff who play an integral part in enhancing our positive ethos and culture of achievement. Our school shows have a reputation for excellence.

We are an innovative school which recognises its strengths and continues to build capability in almost all areas but we are also fully committed to developing new ideas and challenges to ensure that the improvement agenda is always to the fore. We require someone who can adapt quickly to fulfilling the educational and social needs of pupils in our Nursery and who will play an active role in our staff team to make a positive difference to the lives of the children and families in our community. The successful candidate will display the appropriate professional skills and abilities, knowledge and understanding. They must be able to work in a collegiate way with staff in school, with colleagues in other establishments and agencies, consulting regularly with parents and carers.

As an employee of Dumfries and Galloway Council you will be working as part of the Early Learning and Childcare team within Wallace Hall Nursery. You will make a real difference to children’s lives. Indoors and out, you will nurture young children and deliver stimulating learning opportunities, encourage children to use their imagination, be creative, develop problem solving skills, negotiate solutions and build relationships. We will support you to train as you work as an Early Years Support Assistant Trainee.

Candidates will be expected to undertake work-based training to achieve an SCQF Level 6/7. You will be required to register with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) with conditions of obtaining SVQ qualification.

This post is considered as Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. From 28 February 2011, preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to formal offer of employment being made by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Applicants who have been resident outside the UK within the last 5 years, if offered a position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a completed police record check from the police authority in the country or countries in which they were resident.

With an exciting benefits package, working for Dumfries and Galloway Council supports you to invest in your own health and wellbeing. Employees have access to our bespoke Vivup platform with over 800 discounts on everyday essentials from top UK retailers, restaurants, utility providers and more. Employees also get access to membership of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) exclusive discounts from local businesses, a Cycle-to-Work scheme, financial support from My Money Matters, and guidance from our trained Wellbeing Champions.

Here at Dumfries and Galloway Council we are committed to equality, diversity and equal opportunity with our values, which include treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect, driving us to tackle inequality. We are looking for people that can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation.

For further queries please contact Judith Park, Nursery Manager on 01848 332140 or email Nursery gw08officewallace@ea.dumgal.sch.uk