Lead Practitioner

• Blue Light Card eligibility
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays FTE, increasing with length of service up to a maximum of 30 days
• Option to purchase additional leave (up to 10 days per annum)
• Enhanced Maternity
• Day camps discounts: 1 week free and 1 week at 50% per child per annum
• Campsite and activities discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Manor: campsite, river hire, activities, day camps
• 30% discount on food in Cafes: Fairthorne, Eastleigh and Andover
• Wellbeing assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Good quality resources and a modern environment
• A welcoming, caring and supportive culture

Job Purpose

The Lead Practitioner is a key member of our nursery leadership team, with a prime focus on supporting children across the setting who have any form of additional need or vulnerability. The job holder will be expected to observe children and, alongside keypersons, identify children in need of additional support, develop individual education plans, make onward referrals, and support and coach nursery teams to embed high standards of care to meet identified needs. As part of the leadership team, the Lead Practitioner will also contribute towards the wider nursery improvement plan, coach and develop staff and on occasions deputise in the absence of the Nursery Manager. This post is primarily supernumerary with an expectation that the majority of time will be spent working directly with staff and children, in rooms and the garden.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• At all times work within the YMCA Way
• Be active and self-reflective to improve outcomes for children, especially those with any form of additional needs or vulnerability.
• To use observation and assessment data to support staff in identifying children with additional needs, and then plan appropriately to meet their needs.
• To develop and oversee focused activities, including language groups to support children with additional needs and vulnerabilities meet their next steps.
• To lead on the SEND improvement plan as part of the leadership team.
• Engage, coach and role model good practice to staff to embed changes and improve both universal and SEND provision, centred on an understanding of child development.
• Ensure clear partnership with parents/carers to share information and work together to improve both the home and nursery learning environment.
• With the Manager, develop partnerships with health visitors, schools, local inclusion officers, social services, other agencies and the wider community.
• Work alongside the community team to develop and enhance our community provision for our vulnerable families.
• Measure and review the impact of planned interventions.
• As part of the nursery leadership team, support the planning scrutiny of our whole nursery provision, and deputise as required for the nursery manager.
• Positively engage with the nursery team, parents and carers, and wider YMCA teams.
• Act in the interests of your own safety and the safety of others at all times
• To attend training sessions and staff meetings as necessary.
• To support and assist students and work placements, giving practical help and advice.
• Keep up to date with knowledge of childcare best practice and legislation.
• Anything else reasonably requested by the management of the charity.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Level 5 childcare qualification or Level 3, relevant experience and willingness to train.
• Experience of implementing improvements in an early years setting, including demonstrating best practice, coaching staff, setting objectives, and keeping records.
• Experience and understanding of child development, behaviour management, SENCO and identified groups of children.
• Good knowledge of matters relating to health and safety.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding good practice.
• Paediatric First Aid qualification or willingness to train
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (level 3 or above) or willingness to train.

Personal Attributes

A genuine enthusiasm for early years with a passion for raising the quality and standards of the provision for children.

Ability to motivate, inspire and lead others.

A desire to develop others and self.

The ability to communicate and engage with a wide range of people, including children, parents, outside agencies, nursery staff and management.

A genuine enthusiasm for the work of the charity.

An innovative and flexible approach to work.

Please apply now for this rewarding position and be part of an amazing charity that continues to support and achieve wonderful things within the community.

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The successful applicant must undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are an equal opportunities charity with a commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of this policy will be made available on request.

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