Early Years Teacher EYTS

We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic, and dedicated Early Years Teacher to join our friendly nursery team in our outstanding setting. You will play an important role in providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children aged 0–5 can learn, develop, and thrive. Working as part of a supportive team, you will help deliver high-quality early years education in line with the EYFS framework, supporting children’s development through engaging activities and meaningful play.

Key Responsibilities

• You will play a key role in supporting children’s learning and development through engaging activities, following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
• Lead on the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.
• Provide a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care.
• Ensure the standards of environment, resources and experiences offered to children are of the highest standard.
• Lead planning for the EYFS and ensure rich and diverse outdoor play experiences are offered.
• Maintain accurate and effective children’s records.
• Promote and facilitate partnership with parents/carers and other family members.
• Ensure that the induction process for new children is effective and adapted to suit the needs of the child and parents.
• Support the development of good practice with regard to additional needs and inclusion.
• Ensure that children are kept safe and your team understands child protection procedures.
• Ensure the nutritional needs of the children are met and Food Safety Regulations are complied with.
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with advisory teachers, schools, health professionals and other outside agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure the effective implementation of key person procedures within your room and be a key person carrying out all related responsibilities in building relationships with children and their families.
• Ensure the smooth transition of the children to the next room and involve parents/carers in the timing of this.
• Ensure children spend as much time as possible outside in the fresh air.
• Remain abreast of current developments in childcare and education policy and practice.

Health and Safety

• Undertake a shared responsibility for health, safety and cleanliness throughout the nursery.
• Ensure the general cleanliness of the children at all times.
• Adhere to Health and Safety policies, to manage risk and ensure any remedial action is taken immediately.
• Be fully aware of all emergency and security procedures e.g. fire precautions, security, dropping off and collection of children.
• Operate the highest standard of hygiene and cleanliness particularly in the bedding and nappy changing area and food surface areas.
• Assist in maintaining the nursery buildings, resources and equipment to a high standard reporting maintenance or cleaning issues appropriately and promptly.

Operational

• Promote the nursery to current parents and potential customers.
• Support the manager and staff during regulatory inspections and to assist in the implementation of any recommendations.
• Be reflective about own leadership role to ensure that the process of self-improvement is continuous and enhances performance.

Staff Support

• Support and supervise room staff with their day to day duties.
• Ensure that new staff have a meaningful induction period.
• Support staff access training and personal and professional development.
• Act as a role model to other staff, demonstrating good practice and motivating and inspiring the staff team.
• Support and mentor staff and students.
• Work with other room leaders to ensure a consistent approach.
• Encourage teambuilding and training of staff.
• Ensure time is used effectively, demonstrate good time management to others.

General

• Conduct parent show arounds when needed and be confident when dealing with parent concerns.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
• Be prepared to undertake additional training and qualifications.
• Attend and be involved with, out of working hours activities, e.g. training, parents’ meetings, open days, children’s Christmas party and regular planning/staff meetings.
• Undertake certain domestic jobs within the Nursery, e.g. preparation of snack meals, cleansing of equipment and other such duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined from time to time by the manager.
• Undertake other duties as reasonably requested.

Safeguarding

Portland Nurseries is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide suitable references.

Education and Training

• A EYTS or QTS Qualification.
• Paediatric First Aid certification, or willingness to undertake.

Knowledge

• A sound knowledge of child development for children aged birth to five years.
• A sound working knowledge of Ofsted standards and the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS).
• An understanding of a play-based approach to children’s learning and the value of outdoors experience.
• Understanding of the key worker role.
• A sound knowledge of child protection procedures.

Skills and Abilities

• A caring, patient, and enthusiastic approach.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to develop effective relationships with colleagues, parents and outside agencies.
• Ability to lead a team.
• Ability to plan and organise workload.
• Competent in using computer systems and multiple software packages to support daily tasks and productivity.

Other Requirements

• An understanding and commitment to equal opportunities.
• An understanding of Health and Safety in the workplace.
• A willingness to undertake further relevant training including some evenings and weekends.
• Experience of leading and supporting staff teams in improving practice.
• A higher level qualification in Early Years and Education Leadership Training.
• Evidence of Outdoor play training.
• A knowledge and understanding of current thinking on childcare and education.