Nursery Practitioner

You will be employed by the nursery to work in the nursery and may from time to time be assigned to different rooms and/or work in different teams. All post holders must be aware that they may on occasion be subject to the behaviour of unruly children or disruptive adults, and comply with the nursery policies. Post-holders may be occasionally exposed to blood, bodily fluids and tissue. It is important to be aware of our policies and procedures and strictly follow them.

To be punctual and reliable is a must for the continuity for the children and the smooth running of the nursery setting. Please refer to and comply with the Company’s Code of Conduct which will be subject to amendments or changes every year as this will form part of your Terms and Conditions.

Job Purpose

To plan, prepare and participate in activities that intrigue, stimulate and interest the children/babies, taking into account our Equal Opportunities policy and issues of diversity including awareness of how books, play materials and the Nursery environment can be developed to recognise and celebrate diversity amongst the children and within the community.

To work independently and on own initiative:

• With the ability to communicate well both orally and in writing with children, parents, colleagues and external agencies.
• To be able to develop routines and recognise situations where Director involvement is necessary.
• To respond to enquiries and requests for information from colleagues, nursery users and others.
• To work flexibly in response to service demands.
• To respond to reasonable requests and to take an active role in the smooth running of the nursery and carry out duties as requested.
• To take pride in your environment and your senior role and lead the assistants, practitioners, volunteers and students by providing Care and Education in a welcoming environment that encourages equal opportunities and promotes diversity, concentrating on the Safeguarding and the well-being of the children at all times.
• To support, as part of the management team, and advise the rest of the team maintaining good relations with staff, volunteers, students, parents, Early Years, London Borough of Redbridge Early Years / Field Community Centre and all other partner organisations.
• To offer an emotionally and psychologically safe environment for children, staff, parents and visitors and to take responsibility for the Health and Safety of all users of the site, by carrying out twice daily risk assessments, ensuring security and reporting accidents, injuries and near misses. Documentation must be recorded daily.

Main duties

• To be able to work independently and on own initiative.
• To use professional and management skills to lead nursery staff in the planning, implementing and evaluation of the nursery.
• To ensure staff, volunteers and students maintain good attendance and punctuality, and challenge appropriately and record, ensuring the efficient running of the nursery.
• To observe and interact with children, parents, staff and others to support the learning of the children in your care, report on their developmental progress and contribute to record keeping and maintain policies up to date as stated in the EYFS document.
• To develop professional relationships with others involved in children’s learning and development (parents, carers, colleagues, health visitors, Early Years) at all times maintaining confidentiality.
• To be involved in the maintenance of financial budgets or management systems ensuring service users are invoiced in a timely manner and payments are up-to-date at all times.
• To be proactive with their own personal development by keeping abreast of current thinking, legislation and being open to new ideas and change.
• To participate in all aspects of teamwork within the Nursery including training of students, assisting with the development of volunteers and new staff, preparation and care of resources, maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene and contributing to staff team discussions.
• To work in partnership with London Borough of Redbridge Early Years / Field Community Centre and make sure all new starters are familiarised with the policies and procedures of our nursery.
• To complete tasks and assume responsibilities not listed but which may be varied from time to time, in line with the role of an Early Years Manager.
• To maintain high standards of Health and Safety and Safeguarding Children as appropriate to Childcare and as stated in the Statutory EYFS (2014) Booklet.

Qualifications

• NNEB, NVQ3, BTEC or equivalent Childcare qualification.
• Qualified First Aider.

Experience:

• 3 years paid/unpaid full-time working within Early Years with evidence of continuous professional development (CPD).
• Ability to plan the EYFS/curriculum.
• Able to maintain records, and good practice at all times, and contribute to policy and practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance attached to treating information and matters relating to the work of the nursery as confidential matters.