At a Glance
- Tasks: Organise fun activities and support children's play while ensuring their well-being.
- Company: Join a vibrant team dedicated to creating a positive environment for children.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounted childcare, free training, and a Christmas bonus scheme.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while having fun and gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Enthusiasm for working with children and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 12.71 - 12.91 € per hour.
Date posted: 29 April 2026
Pay: £12.71-£12.91 per hour
References will be requested at interview.
Relationships
- Responsible to your Manager
- Responsible for the children, their guardians (while on site) and your colleagues
- Liaison with your Manager, the school teachers & TA’s, your keywork families, St Claire’s office
Main Tasks of Job
- To organise and run activities that engage and inspire the children
- To support colleagues in their responsibilities as necessary
- To assist in school pick-ups as necessary
- To lead activities as directed
- To attend & participate in weekly staff team meetings & all other staff meetings as required
- To help set up and tidy away effectively, keep stock rooms and cupboards organized and tidy
- To ensure the setting and resources are clean and hygienic
- To help with the preparation and clearing away of snack
- To monitor & deal with inappropriate behaviour according to Club policy guidelines & those of the law
- To ensure that Club policies and the Early Years Foundation Stage are adhered to at all times
- To keywork effectively, building & maintaining positive relationships with families, keeping tidy and accurate records up to date, planning personalized play and evaluating it for further play opportunities
- To ensure the overall happiness and well-being of the children
- To put Handbooks & Training manual guidance into practice and meet required training needs
- To interact positively, calmly & cheerfully with the children and have fun
- You are expected to wear your uniform smartly and represent the company positively
- To follow our safeguarding procedures and be alert to signs and symptoms of possible abuse
- To follow and adhere to our e-safety policy and procedures
Hours
- Breakfast club runs 7:45 am – 9 am at all sites except St Peters.
- After School Club runs 2.45 – 6 on all sites.
- Holiday Club runs 8–6 through all the school holidays except the Christmas break and Bank Holidays at Winton and St Peter’s.
- Training meetings & weekly staff meetings are included in your monthly salary.
- Wages aim to be paid on the 28th of each month, except December's which is paid the last day of term (this is early due to Christmas).
- Any overtime or sickness, failure to attend meetings, lateness etc. will be added to or deducted from the monthly amount.
- Bonuses depending on performance are assessed yearly in November.
- Your monthly salary is based on annual hours as agreed at commencement of duties, meeting attendance and holiday entitlement divided by 12.
- If you do need to call in sick, you must do so by 10.00 am for After School Club and 6 pm for Breakfast or Holiday Club.
Benefits
- Discounted childcare
- 24/7 access to our Support Helpline, offering free & confidential support, advice or counseling to you and your immediate family
- Christmas bonus scheme
- Paid In House training and staff meetings
- Free external training & qualifications (subject to signing a Training Agreement)
- Long service bonus of extra holiday
Job Description Details
- Give children appropriate help and support when needed
- Respond sensitively to children’s verbal and non-verbal signals
- Encourage independence and self-help under appropriate supervision
- Speak cheerfully, calmly and positively to children unless it is necessary to do otherwise
- Interact with children in a way that encourages and develops verbal communication
- Reinforce positive behaviour and achievements
- Explain why certain actions/behaviour etc. is unwelcome
- To challenge poor behaviour appropriately
- Encourage children to listen and talk to each other about a variety of topics including their feelings and frustrations
- To respect children’s opinions
- Encourage children to support and co-operate with each other
- Encourage children to resolve problems between themselves
- Respond to the needs of individual children
- Be a positive role model
- Encourage children to join in planning activities, events, snack etc.
- To support colleagues kindly, professionally and without bias
- To welcome children and parents, and to spend time talking to parents about their child
- To be pro-active in promoting the Club
- Everybody is expected to contribute to keeping the setting clean, tidy, organised and looking welcoming and attractive
Personal Specification
- Suitable to work with children – no history of inappropriate interaction with children, good references, amenable personality, confident in challenging poor behaviour appropriately
- Enthusiastic – wants to work with children, wants to provide opportunities for them to enjoy their time with us, wants to extend their play opportunities imaginatively
- Willing to train – to participate fully in in-house training, to attend any external training required, to be able to feed back on training given and assist others in understanding aims & objectives
- Able to make a long term commitment to the Company
Play worker in Bournemouth employer: St Claire's Childcare
As a Play Worker with us, you will be part of a vibrant and supportive team dedicated to creating a fun and engaging environment for children. We offer competitive pay, discounted childcare, and opportunities for professional development through free external training and qualifications. Our inclusive work culture prioritises employee well-being, with access to a 24/7 support helpline and a Christmas bonus scheme, making us an excellent employer for those passionate about nurturing young minds.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Play worker in Bournemouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out their website and social media to see how they interact with children and families. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to working with children. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills and enthusiasm for engaging with kids.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress smartly for your interview! You want to make a great first impression, so wear your uniform or something professional that reflects the positive image of the company. It shows you’re serious about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview! This shows your interest and helps you understand if the role is right for you. Ask about training opportunities or how they support staff in their development.
We think you need these skills to ace Play worker in Bournemouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Play:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for working with children. Share any experiences you've had that highlight your ability to engage and inspire kids through play. We love seeing applicants who genuinely care about making a difference!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Play Worker role. Mention how your skills align with our main tasks, like organising activities or supporting colleagues. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are serious about joining our team.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and get straight to the heart of why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at St Claire's Childcare
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with the Early Years Foundation Stage and the specific policies of the club. Be ready to discuss how you would implement these in your role as a play worker, especially when it comes to engaging children and managing behaviour.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
Let your passion for working with children shine through during the interview. Share examples of activities you've organised or participated in that inspired kids. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely want to make a difference in their lives.
✨Prepare for Behaviour Scenarios
Think about how you would handle various situations involving children's behaviour. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've dealt with challenging behaviour in the past, and how you would encourage positive interactions among children.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer about the club's approach to child development and team dynamics. This shows that you're not only interested in the position but also in how you can contribute to the team's success and the children's well-being.
