At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fun activities and support children's wellbeing in a beautiful estate.
- Company: The Carnegie Club, a family-focused experience at Skibo Castle.
- Benefits: £30,000 salary, 33 days leave, wellness support, and free meals.
- Other info: Join a diverse team that values enthusiasm and creativity.
- Why this job: Make memorable moments for children while enjoying the great outdoors.
- Qualifications: SVQ Level 3 in Social Services and experience in childcare.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Families are at the heart of The Carnegie Club experience. Children of all ages visit Skibo throughout the year, enjoying dedicated activity spaces alongside the freedom to explore our 8,000-acre estate in a safe and inspiring environment.
About The Role
As a Senior Childcare Assistant, you will spend most of your time actively working with children, leading activities, and supporting the team on the floor. Working closely with colleagues across the Club, you’ll help deliver fun, creative and educational experiences while ensuring children’s wellbeing, safety and enjoyment are always prioritised. This is not an office based role. The emphasis is on delivery, guest experience, leadership in practice, health and safety oversight within daily practice and creating fun, memorable moments for children and families.
Responsibilities
- Support the Children's Barn Manager in the day to day operations and take a lead role in their absence.
- Provide hands‑on support, working directly alongside the team and actively engaging with children throughout the day.
- Deliver fun, creative and high‑quality experiences through play, outdoor activities and estate based adventures.
- Work collaboratively with the team to design and deliver seasonal programmes and special events, including Summer, Halloween, Christmas, and other key occasions.
- Support the smooth running of the evening babysitting service, ensuring excellent communication and a consistent high standard of care.
- Carry out daily operational checks, safeguarding records and supervise essential compliance documentation.
- Manage daily bookings and check emails as part of routine operational tasks to ensure smooth communication and service delivery.
- Build strong, positive relationships with children, families, members and colleagues, ensuring an exceptional guest experience.
- Contribute ideas, creativity and enthusiasm to continuously enhance the children’s experience and overall family offering.
About You
Skills & Experience
- SVQ Level 3 Social Services Children and Young People (or equivalent)
- Experience working in a childcare, activity, holiday club, or similar hands‑on environment
- Confidence and experience leading and supporting a team
- A warm, energetic and proactive approach
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- A genuine passion for creating engaging, memorable experiences for children
- Comfortable working outdoors and being fully involved in active play and activities
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and child welfare responsibilities
Personal Attributes
- Fun, creative and enthusiastic, with a genuine enjoyment of working with children
- Patient, nurturing and approachable, with a calm and reassuring manner
- Reliable, responsible and confident taking initiative
- A positive team player who supports an inclusive and professional working culture
- Detail‑oriented, with pride in maintaining safety, hygiene and organisational standards
Please note that all childcare positions are subject to PVG membership checks, which will be completed as part of the recruitment process. If you love working with children and can offer a safe, caring and positive experience, we’d love to hear from you. We value enthusiasm, reliability and a genuine commitment to children’s wellbeing just as much as formal experience.
What We Offer You
- Share of gratuities
- 33 days annual leave pro‑rata
- Auto enrolment pension scheme
- Occupational sick pay
- Family friendly support
- Life cover
- Access to wellness platform providing support on nutrition, exercise, health, finances, legal support and more
- Access to staff benefit scheme which includes cycle to work and tech scheme, contribution towards eyecare and discounts on high street retailers
- Local staff transport service
- Meals on shift provided free of charge
- Complimentary use of staff gym
- Staff events
- Long Service Awards
Great teams are built on diversity, curiosity and respect. If you’re excited by our mission and think you could make an impact, we’d love to hear from you – even if you don’t tick every box.
Senior Childcare Assistant in Dornoch employer: The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle
At The Carnegie Club, we pride ourselves on creating a nurturing and inspiring environment for both our staff and the families we serve. As a Senior Childcare Assistant at our stunning Skibo Castle location, you will enjoy a supportive work culture that values creativity and teamwork, alongside generous benefits such as 33 days of annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to wellness resources. Join us in delivering memorable experiences for children while growing your career in a unique and beautiful setting.
Contact Details:
The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Childcare Assistant in Dornoch
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Childcare Assistant in Dornoch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
