Senior Level 3 Nursery Practitioner & Room Leader

As a Level 3 Nursery Practitioner, you will be assisting the nursery management in the day-to-day running of the nursery. You will support the room leader and the team to plan and deliver the highest standard of care throughout the nurseries as detailed in the childcare audit and OFSTED inspections. You will be flexible and adapt to any of the rooms and settings as needed.

You will maintain regular learning journals of all the children to measure their development and efficiently hand over key person’s responsibility. You will proactively work with the nursery manager, deputy manager, and room leader to promote a positive and healthy working culture whilst inspiring the team to excel in their endeavours. You will be a key person for a group of children to ensure each child’s redevelopment is monitored and identify the next stage of progression or if further learning support is required.

You will support fellow key persons in your team to ensure high quality of childcare. You will have an overall knowledge of all the children and their development in your room to effectively communicate with parents/guardians and support your team members. You will assist management in planning, monitoring, reviewing, budgeting, administration, and marketing. You will actively support management with staff shortfall by going to other settings and drop-in centres upon request.

• Ensure that all children attending the nursery are kept safe and receive rich and stimulating play experiences appropriate to their age and stage of development.
• Undertake the overall day-to-day operation of the nursery environment including rooms, after school club, breakfast club, holiday club, drop-in services, and any other supplementary services.
• Assist the manager in ensuring compliance with legislation related to registration with regulatory bodies, special needs, child protection, and Health and Safety, and adhere to company policies and procedures.
• Work as an effective member of the team to deliver a high-quality education and care centred service that meets the needs of children and their families.
• Support management to ensure that practice and provision in the nursery meet the outstanding requirements of OFSTED and the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Develop strong parent partnerships to ensure high quality of care and satisfaction.
• Prepare to support the team across all settings at short notice for activities, services, after-school clubs, breakfast clubs, drop-in centres, holiday clubs, fundraising events, parents' evenings, and other activities.
• Actively promote and implement the nursery’s vision, focusing on children’s achievement.
• Redevelop regular activity plans to encourage children’s learning through play, providing a stimulating and enabling environment.
• Provide a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing environment that reflects, values, and respects the ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds of the children and families.
• Support the planning and preparation of all rooms and outside areas, using observations of children and evaluation of the provision to enhance children’s learning and interests.
• Be a key worker for a group of children, ensuring access to a broad, balanced, relevant, and differentiated curriculum.
• Implement a high-quality planned curriculum in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Carry out high-quality written and photographic observations, planning, and assessments using EYFS development matters bandings.
• Ensure children’s learning journals are kept up to date and regular reports are written for effective communication with colleagues and parents.
• Work in partnership with internal and external professionals and agencies to share key information supporting the needs of children and families.
• Work in partnership with local schools and settings to share quality information and ensure smooth transitions for children.
• Undertake daily risk assessments and ensure relevant action is taken to minimise risks to children.
• Clear and tidy inside and outside play areas at the end of activities or the day.
• Maintain high professional standards to ensure children’s individual needs, dietary needs, and personal care are met.
• Share responsibility for preparing and serving snacks and light meals/breakfasts for children, adhering to hygiene regulations.
• Ensure telephone enquiries, correspondence, and visitors are dealt with appropriately.

• Ensure all children receive rich and stimulating experiences appropriate to their age and stage of development.
• Work with the team to implement the Early Years Learning Goals.
• Keep full and concise records of all achievements for all children and pinpoint necessary targets.
• Document all observations on each child’s progress, identifying achievements and opportunities for progression.
• Adhere to staff rota and ensure fairness in lunch breaks to avoid understaffing.
• Allocate time to update learning journals weekly.
• Promote all children’s services and support marketing and outreach in the local community.

• Engage in the collection of parents’ fees and monitor debts according to terms and conditions.
• Support management by collating relevant data such as administrative, finance, and information for parents daily.
• Identify efficiencies to keep expenses minimal and reduce wastages.

• Support the manager in implementing all nursery policies.
• Supervise the administration of all medication within the nursery, ensuring the medicine policy is followed.
• Ensure all medical forms are completed and signed by parents.
• Follow QCCA’s procedure manuals, specifically Childcare, Employee Handbook, HR Guide, Health and Safety, Training, and Finance.

• Responsible for Health, Safety, and Cleanliness throughout the nursery.
• Undertake regular risk assessments.
• Monitor all child protection issues and log any accidents or incidents.
• Arrange for effective and regular waste removal.
• Ensure front-line staff maintain the personal hygiene of children.
• Operate the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness in bedding, nappy changing, and food services areas.
• Ensure preparation and cleanliness of nursery playrooms, bedding, nappy-changing room, food-serving areas, and equipment follow set policies and procedures.
• Maintain proper emergency and security procedures, including registration and collection of children.
• Record accidents in the accident book.

• Support management in maintaining an inventory of all resources available.
• Ensure care, maintenance, and security of all equipment and toys.

• Action and monitor all child protection issues, parent issues, complaints, and accidents to ensure immediate remedial action.
• Implement recommendations made by inspectors following OFSTED visits.
• Ensure nursery menus are followed and fresh food is readily available, maintaining high standards of food hygiene.
• Ensure snacks and lunches are not ordered in excess and that full costs are recovered from parents.
• Ensure the nursery is adequately equipped and orders are generated on time.
• Offer an equal opportunities service regarding race, gender, culture, faith, and/or disability.
• Undertake any additional tasks related to the effective delivery of Children’s Services from senior managers.