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- Tasks: Support young children's learning and development in a fun, safe environment.
- Company: St Leonard’s Pre-School, dedicated to nurturing young minds.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, training opportunities, and a supportive team atmosphere.
- Other info: Join a friendly team committed to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Level 2 early years qualification or equivalent; passion for child development.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
St Leonard’s Pre-School, St Leonard’s Centre, Rectory Road, Oakley, RG23 7ED
Responsible to: Manager
Hours: Term time only - 18 hours per week initially working on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Fridays plus the opportunity to cover for staff absences. Open Mon 9.00-12.00, Tues, Weds, Thurs & Fri 9.00-3.00 (staff hours 8.30-12.30 or 3.30 as appropriate)
Purpose of the job
To work as a key person and as part of the pre‑school team under the direction of the manager. To provide safe, high quality education and care for young children which meets the individual needs of children attending the setting.
Safeguarding requirement
St Leonard’s Pre‑School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedures to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding across the whole organisation.
Main Duties
- To be involved with curriculum planning using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for guidance
- To help to set up equipment and activities for the daily programme and to help tidy away after the session as this is a ‘pack away setting’
- To act as a key person to a small group of children, liaising closely and building an effective relationship with parents/carers and ensuring each child's needs are recognised and met
- To work in partnership with parents/carers and other family members
- To advise the Manager of any concerns e.g. health and well-being of children, parents or the safety of equipment, preserving confidentiality as necessary
- To take action to support the setting to achieve and maintain a minimum good Ofsted rating at the next inspection
- To teach children, offering an appropriate level of support and stimulating play experiences
- To ensure that children are kept safe and that you understand when to follow child protection procedures
- To support meal and snack times within the setting
- To actively participate at team meetings, supervision meetings and appraisal meetings
- To attend training courses as required and to take responsibility for personal development
- To keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff, which is acquired as part of the job
- To be aware of and adhere to all the setting's operational policies and procedures, e.g. health and safety, fire precautions, dropping off and collection of children, food safety, cleanliness of the setting
- To ensure that adequate records are kept and updated regularly
- To promote the setting to current parents and potential customers
This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and the post holder will be required to undertake any other reasonable duties discussed and directed by the line manager. The post holder is also expected to be flexible and adaptable in their approach to fulfilling their duties.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
- Willingness to learn and undertake further training
- Minimum of Level 2 early years education and childcare qualification or equivalent, studying for Level 3
- Previous experience of working with young children
- Sound knowledge of child development for children from birth to five years
- Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
- Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures
- Good communication skills
- An understanding of play‑based approaches to children's learning and development
- A commitment to continuously promoting a culture of safeguarding
- A commitment to equal opportunities
- A commitment to working effectively with young children and families
- A friendly and flexible approach at work which facilitates the development of effective relationships
Desirable criteria
- Current Paediatric First Aid at Work qualification
- Level 3 early years education and childcare qualification
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and does require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them.
Pre-School Practitioner in Oakley employer: St Leonards' Pre-School
Contact Detail:
St Leonards' Pre-School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre-School Practitioner in Oakley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the pre-school environment! Visit St Leonard’s Pre-School if you can, chat with staff, and soak up the vibe. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with other early years practitioners on social media or local groups. They might have insider info about job openings or tips on how to ace your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you’d handle specific situations with children or parents. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Pre-School Practitioner in Oakley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Early Years Education: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with young children shine through. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to early years education and how you can contribute to our pre-school team.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Pre-School Practitioner role. Mention your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and any relevant qualifications or training you've completed that align with what we're looking for.
Highlight Your Teamwork Skills: Since you'll be working closely with other staff and parents, emphasise your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Share examples of how you've successfully worked in a team environment, as this is key to creating a supportive atmosphere for the children.
Keep It Professional Yet Friendly: While we love a friendly approach, remember to maintain professionalism in your written application. Use clear language, check for spelling and grammar errors, and ensure your application reflects the caring and nurturing attitude we value at St Leonard’s Pre-School.
How to prepare for a job interview at St Leonards' Pre-School
✨Know Your EYFS
Make sure you brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines. Being able to discuss how you would implement these in your role will show that you're not just familiar with them, but that you can apply them effectively in a pre-school setting.
✨Show Your Passion for Child Development
Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported children's learning and development in the past. Whether it's through play-based activities or one-on-one interactions, demonstrating your commitment to fostering a nurturing environment will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
Since you'll be working closely with parents and carers, highlight your communication skills. Prepare to discuss how you've built relationships with families in previous roles and how you plan to keep them informed about their child's progress.
✨Prepare for Safeguarding Questions
Given the importance of safeguarding in this role, be prepared to answer questions about child protection procedures. Familiarise yourself with the policies and be ready to discuss how you would handle any concerns regarding children's safety and well-being.