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- Tasks: Support children's development and lead a fun, engaging nursery environment.
- Company: Chichester College, a vibrant educational institution with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, hybrid working, and discounts on gym and nursery fees.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a dynamic and rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Early Childhood Studies and experience in childcare settings.
The predicted salary is between 27975 - 28361 £ per year.
Chichester College have an exciting opportunity for you to join us as a Childcare Officer (Maternity Cover) at our Chichester campus. You will join us on a full time, fixed term basis and in return, we will offer a competitive salary pro rata of £27,975 - £28,361 per annum.
Are you a happy, supportive and fun loving individual who dreams of a job where no two days are the same? An exciting opportunity has arisen to work as a Childcare Officer at our First Steps Nursery based at Chichester College.
The Childcare Officer (Maternity Cover) role involves working with young babies through to children ready to start school, sharing your love for learning and making a real difference in children’s development and learning journeys. Together with our dedicated team, you will be a part of ensuring the children are learning, socialising, exploring and having fun.
Key Responsibilities:- Ensuring the safety, happiness and well-being of children, ensuring that all children are supported to reach their potential and that individual needs are met.
- Effectively leading the team to deliver high quality opportunities, through modelling the expected standards and having high expectations of the team, ensuring that the day to day experience for children is outstanding.
- Ensuring effective, open and meaningful communication within the team and with parents.
- Supporting children through the implementation of our nursery intent, annual calendar and the delivery of our pre-school curriculum, ensuring that all opportunities for teachable moments are utilised.
- Supporting staff with documentation including planning, observations and assessments, and reviewing and moderating these to ensure their accuracy and effectiveness.
- Being reflective and reactive to cohort needs, organisational needs, sector updates and actively aiming to solve problems and proactively make a difference through striving for improvement.
- Contributing to and working towards targeted action plans in conjunction with the Childcare Manager.
- Level 3 qualification in Early Childhood Studies (or equivalent).
- A period of post qualifying experience working in a childcare setting.
- Experience of leading a team.
- Working knowledge of current Early Years regulations (including Early Years Foundation Stage, Development Matters and Ofsted frameworks/guidance).
- Ability to communicate effectively and purposefully in a range of ways to suit a variety of situations.
Closing date: 11th May 2026.
We offer generous pension schemes, hybrid working opportunities, college closure days over the Christmas period (which is not deducted from annual leave entitlement) plus the option to purchase up to 10 days additional leave, and discounts at onsite facilities such as gym membership and nursery fees at certain campuses. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, which may include a check of the barred lists and any relevant overseas checks.
Childcare Officer (Maternity Cover) in England employer: First Steps Childcare
Contact Detail:
First Steps Childcare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Childcare Officer (Maternity Cover) in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare sector, attend local events, and join online forums. 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 childcare. Think about how you would handle specific situations with children and be ready to share your experiences. We want to see your passion and how you can make a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, let your fun-loving side shine through. They’re looking for someone who fits into their team and can connect with the kids, so be yourself!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to reach out directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Childcare Officer (Maternity Cover) in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through. We want to see how much you care about their development and learning journeys, so share your experiences that highlight your love for childcare.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Childcare Officer role. Highlight your Level 3 qualification and any relevant experience you have in leading a team or working in a childcare setting. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you're the perfect fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do, so go ahead and get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Steps Childcare
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and current regulations. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the framework you'll be working within.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your love for working with children shine through. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in children's lives or how you've supported their learning journeys. This will help the interviewers see your genuine enthusiasm for the role.
✨Team Player Vibes
Since you'll be leading a team, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership skills. Talk about your experience in guiding others, fostering communication, and creating a positive environment. Highlight any successful team projects you've been part of to showcase your collaborative spirit.
✨Be Reflective and Proactive
Prepare to discuss how you've adapted to changes in the childcare sector or responded to specific needs within your previous roles. Showing that you're reflective and proactive in your approach will indicate that you're ready to tackle challenges head-on and contribute positively to the nursery.