Hatching Dragons Westminster - Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner in London

• Organisation –
• Hatching Dragons
• Apprenticeship –
• Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner
• Location -
• Westminster
• Hours –
• Salary -
• £28,000.00 - £32,000.00
• Overview –

This Level 5 apprenticeship training programme will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours of early years practitioners to be proactive and influential.

The learner will be working in a senior role such as a Room Leader, Early Years Lead.

Undertaking this apprenticeship will develop the practitioner’s ability to reflect and build on practice through on-going professional enquiry and action led research.

Vacancy Overview –

The Room Leader is a qualified childcare professional with the responsibility for the day to day running of their room.

They perform an important role caring for children, maintaining a high quality, stimulating learning environment, supervising staff and imparting their knowledge and skills to others.

They are creative and reflective leaders able to implement new ideas and use a range of strategies to continually improve practice and support the management team.

• To work flexibly as part of the larger team, assisting and supporting colleagues wherever required, to ensure the smooth running of the nursery.

● Contribute to the effectiveness of teamwork by

• Communication is a vital part of teamwork
• Supporting management in remaining ‘good’ and strive towards achieving outstanding with Ofsted.
• Reflect upon our practice daily in everything we do. Things can always be made better.
• Learn from each other, we all hold different skills.
• To be part of a team that provides a purposeful, stimulating environment that is rich in learning opportunities, both indoors and outdoors.

Activities should consider children’s abilities, interests, language and cultural backgrounds.

• To assist in the development and support of other staff members by communicating effectively, sharing knowledge and experience, delegating tasks appropriately, identifying training needs, leading meetings, inductions and 1:1’s – with support from the nursery manager.
• To respect and value all colleagues, children and parents, encouraging a positive and diverse working environment.
• To co-operate and work effectively with the manager, taking on additional responsibilities/duties and positively promoting developments in policies and procedures to team members
• To embrace, understand and promote Tender Years Day Nursery and the role you play as part of the team which provides high levels of care and education.
• Promote positive relationships in the early years setting.
• Be a key person by carrying out all related responsibilities such as building relationships with a small group of children and their families
• Key persons are responsible for ensuring key children have an appropriate target set each week which will form part of the planning.
• To lead by example. To always be professional and a good role model to the children and other staff members
• To be responsible for the welfare of all children in your designated room, organising systems to ensure consistent, high- quality care.
• To work in partnership with all parents/carers, building and maintaining relationships that encourage trust, open communication and involvement in nursery life
• EY Log –
• Continual communication with parents via EY log and all of the functions available on it.
• Daily diaries are to be completed continuously throughout the day and published before 4.30.
• All staff are to put through their own observations they have collected.
• Staff are to put through their own key child’s parental observations as soon as they come through
• Policies and procedures –
• To always reinforce company policies and procedures and deal with any breaches swiftly and in an appropriate manner.
• To ensure that you have an excellent understanding and have a working knowledge of all aspects of Health and safety and the risks assessments that are in place.
• Promote the health, safety and wellbeing of the children and other professionals within the building by completing toilet checks and daily risk assessments for rooms.
• To ensure all safeguarding procedures are followed in line with local authority and company procedures.
• Respond appropriately to issues regarding confidentiality.
• To work in partnership to ensure standards are continually being met in line with Ofsted requirements and the EYFS.
• To contribute to the creation of a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all children.
• To be vigilant and protect children from harm or abuse, reporting any concerns immediately – in accordance with child protection and whistleblowing policies
• General –
• Reflect on daily practice and identify areas for continual improvement.
• Promote equality and diversity within the nursery, challenging any behaviour which does not support our inclusive practice and equal opportunity policy.
• To be flexible within working practice of the nursery and be prepared to help if needed, including overtime, undertaking domestic jobs and cooking
• Attend staff meetings and training sessions necessary for continuing professional development.
• Complete noodle now training as set out in staff handbook.
• To deploy staff and resources effectively, always maintaining ratios in your room.
• Maintain staff ratios in accordance with statutory regulations – ensure all equipment, drinks, toilet breaks are done before the start of your shift. (Please see staff handbook for more information)
• Complete ratio sheet daily alongside headcount sheets when outside
• To reflect on practice and routines, tailoring them to meet the individual needs of each child throughout the day.
• To oversee all the planning and the provision so that you are providing a stimulating range of age-appropriate activities and ensuring a curiosity approach is taken.
• To be aware of the high profile of Tender Years Day Nursery and refrain from irresponsible behaviour that could impact the nursery’s commercial success.
• To undertake any other aspects of nursery, work according to need. 38. To carry out peer observations on the staff members in your room

Benefits we offer within the role –

• Competitive salary (£28,000 – £32,000 depending on experience)
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• (including support with further qualifications)
• Clear career progression within the nursery
• Supportive and friendly team environment
• Company pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Wellbeing support and a positive work-life balance
• Regular team meetings and staff engagement activities
• Opportunity to work in a high-quality, child-focused learning environment
• Prospects –
• Involvement in shaping curriculum planning and contributing to nursery development
• Opportunities to grow within a developing and forward-thinking nursery group
• Opportunities for career progression into senior roles such as Third In Charge
• Training Information –

Over the course of 21 months (dependent upon the level of course an apprentice is being enrolled onto), you will study things such as the principles of healthcare and safeguarding, person-centred care & support, physiological measurements, basic life support, dementia, cognitive & mental health support, moving, handling and infection control, supporting daily living, lifespan development and healthcare needs, duty of care and legislation.

Higher level courses go into more depth within different pathways such as dementia, learning disabilities and Autism, children & adolescent mental health, combined therapies, complex care, maternity, mental health, rehabilitation, substance misuse and acquired brain injury (these topics may differ).

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, you will achieve a Level 5 Qualification and a TQUK Diploma in Care.

We and our employer partners are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, so a DBS check will be required for this role.

To make you aware, this position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as ‘spent’ must be declared, and you will be asked about these during the recruitment process.

Our delivery of training is through blended learning.

Supported by one of our sector specialist tutors, they will deliver teaching sessions using various methods including face to face teaching, Skype, Facetime, telephone and peer virtual classroom whilst using our interactive multi-sensory teaching resources.

Teaching sessions are normally bi-weekly or monthly, depending on the learner’s preferred learning style.

Additionally, the tutor will provide the support required to ensure the learner enjoys and ultimately successfully achieves their goals and completes their training.

We want learners to feel that our team are approachable at any stage of their learning journey.

You will initially take an online assessment that will help us to understand your learning style and needs, then we will tailor your learning experience accordingly.

We ensure that you stay on track to complete your programme on time by managing your expectations through our state-of-the-art e-portfolio system.

At the end of your programme, your learnt knowledge, skills and behaviours will be assessed by an independent assessor in your end point assessment (EPA).

As part of the apprenticeship, alongside your job role, 20% of your time in work must be dedicated to developing new skills.

This can be any time devoted to learning and improving new skills without interruption.