Nursery Practitioner - Toddlers (under 2s) in Brighton

Pay: £14.08-£14.90 per hour
Full‑time position, 35 hours per week.
Full‑time starting salary will be £25,608.
Work Location: In person

Job Summary
The role of the Nursery Practitioner is to ensure that all children attending The Oaks Day Nurseries receive high quality care, are kept safe, and receive rich and stimulating play experiences which meet their individual needs and support all aspects and components of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. This role will also entail light domestic duties as and when required in the playrooms.

Main duties:

• Provide high quality, positive care for children through social, emotional, educational and practical interaction, nurturing and guidance.
• Ensure children are kept safe, well, and that Child Protection Procedures are followed.
• Implement the key worker system to address the individual needs of each child, their family and carers.
• Observe and keep records of the activities and progress of children.
• Partner with parents/carers to keep them informed of their child’s day and progress.
• Organise, maintain and ensure a clean, tidy, hygienic, safe, child‑friendly environment.
• Supervise activities such as arts and craft, cooking, reading, music, outdoor and physical activities.
• Maintain toys and equipment.
• Feed babies and ensure the nutritional needs of children are met, complying with Food Safety Regulations.
• Change nappies and help children with potty/toilet training.
• Help children to learn social, emotional, numeracy, language and practical skills.
• Work with staff within the nursery to provide a high quality nursery service.
• Work with outside professional bodies or agencies as appropriate.
• Implement the daily routine of the nursery.
• Participate in meetings.
• Follow the nursery’s practices, processes and procedures, e.g. positive behaviour management techniques.
• Learn about developments in childcare and undertake training as required.
• Ensure the health and safety of colleagues and children, complying with all Health and Safety requirements.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect, supporting equality and valuing diversity.
• Undertake other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience:

• A Level 3 Childcare qualification and the willingness to keep skills up to date.
• Relevant and up‑to‑date experience in a similar environment.
• A working knowledge of the Early Year Principles, paying particular attention to the Prime Areas.
• Ability to understand and meet the social development and emotional needs of 0‑24 months on an individual basis.
• Ability to work as a key person to a small group of children, liaising and advising parents around topics such as weaning and sleeping, and contributing ideas and knowledge around workshops with parents.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a range of people, both in writing and verbally, demonstrating tact and diplomacy where appropriate.
• Ability to contribute as a team member and to work under own initiative when necessary.
• Approach to work with a calm and professional manner.
• Flexible approach to working hours, based on a shift pattern, and may require occasional cover for planned and unplanned absences.
• Ability to manage the physical demands of the role, including lifting and carrying of children.
• Basic IT skills, such as word processing and use of Outlook to send and receive emails.

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Childcare
• On‑site parking
• Sick pay