JOB DESCRIPTION: LEVEL 3 (OR EQUIVALENT) PRE-SCHOOL PRACTITIONER
About us: Lapal Grange Preschool is a small, independent preschool in the Halesowen area. We are passionate about childcare and we are committed to staff professional development in order to improve the care and learning experiences for our children.
We care for up to 32 children per session aged from 9 months old up to school age. We operate in one room and have a large outside area.
Teamwork is of the utmost importance to us and staff welfare is a key element of our setting.
We are a packaway setting so the job will require some physical lifting. We are open from 9am to 3pm and require staff to be available for setting up from 8.30am and stay until 3.15pm if required.
Lapal Grange Preschool is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Therefore the successful applicant will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Disclosure and enrol in the update system. A minimum of two references will be contacted.
The job role: We require a full time qualified practitioner to join our team. The job is term time only. No holiday is allowed in term time and you will be paid 5.6 weeks holiday pro rated to 38 working weeks on top of your salary.
You will be responsible for a small group of key children and will regularly post observations and 'wow' moments using our online system. Practitioners are responsible for forging strong relationships with parents/carers and should be confident in handing over each day.
You will be required to complete Child Protection training provided by our Local Authority and your induction will include in house induction training on Safeguarding Children, British Values and Prevent.
**Safeguarding is deeply embedded into our ethos and throughout your employment you are welcomed to further enhance your knowledge**
About you: The applicant must possess a minimum of Level 3 Early Years qualification or above. We will only be responding to applications from qualified candidates.
Candidates should have the ability to work independently and as an effective part of our team.
Benefits of employment:
- Starting salary of £13 per hour
- You will be enrolled into the company pension with a 3% employer contribution.
- You will be given opportunity for additional training and development. Including access to a comprehensive online learning platform.
- Term time only
- Free uniform
- Free on-site car parking
- Annual Christmas party / Event
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Tuesday
- No weekends
Work Location: One location
Reports to the Manager
The practitioner should support the Manager in providing a stimulating and varied programme of play and ensuring the safety and well-being of the children. To achieve this the practitioner will:
Working with Children
- Help prepare and fully set out the inside and external environment before children arrive and, once children have left, pack away equipment and ensure any broken or unsafe equipment is reported to a member of the management team.
- Help plan, prepare and implement a curriculum for the group - inviting and encouraging children to explore all experiences on offer.
- Support a key group of children – including planning for key group time sessions
- Conduct Input time at the beginning of each session, as requested by management.
- Support all children to access the curriculum.
- Support children during learning activities - supporting all aspects of development.
- Promote children’s social and emotional development.
- Support children with specific needs, following Individual Learning Plans (IEP) as directed by the Special Needs Coordinator (SENCO).
- Work with targeted children during play sessions, evaluating and monitoring their progress and identifying next steps.
- To follow the staff deployment rota, engaging in focussed activities when planned to do so.
- Implementing focussed activities which are preplanned. All aspects of the guided learning experience must be acknowledged and completed, ensuring learning intentions are worked towards.
- Change children’s nappies on a regular basis and help support all children in becoming competent using the toilet facilities.
- To administer medication as directed by parents.
- Follow safeguarding policies at all times – on or off-site.
- Ensure all children arrive and leave the setting safely, following the strategies implemented in the Entry and Departure Policy.
- Administer First Aid as required, informing a member of management if the accident needs further attention.
Working with Parents and Carers
- Establish and maintain relationships with parents and carers.
- Liaise with parents and carers of children through verbal communication or writing
- Respond appropriately to parents or questions, advising the management team of any complaints.
- Change children’s reading books and review comments in their reading records as neccessary.
- To ensure letters for parents/carers are handed out to children prior to leaving at the end of sessions.
Documentation
- Contribute to the health and well-being of pupils, completing accident records, medical records and conducting daily risk assessments as neccessary within the setting.
- Contribute to the system of observation and assessment, ensuring children’s individual Learning journeys are continually updated.
- To complete the daily register for childrens' attendance.
- Completion of the guided learning experience forms ensuring an evaluation and next steps comment is provided.
- Sign in and out of the setting.
- To complete relevant documentation required of the individual role.
Team work
- Appear presentable and wear any appropriate uniform on a daily basis, ensuring this is regularly washed.
- Undertake a role of responsability eg SENCO, Behaviour Management, Safe Guarding. Completing all duties relating to the specific role.
- To act as Officer in Charge, with overall responsibility, as required.
- Advise the manager or deputy of any matters requiring attention, such as concerns about a child or equipment needing repair or replacement.
- Act as a valuable team member supporting other staff members and students or volunteers.
- To attend courses that enhance the practice of the individual and improve the setting as a whole - completing a course evaluation form to share good practice with other team members.
- To attend staff meetings, contributing to decision making and other relevent exercises as requested.
- To participate in inservice training, that enhances the practice of individuals and the provision itself.
- Keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff.
- To attend parents evenings and additional events out of normal working hours, when requested by management.
- To engage in one to one meetings with management to assess individual development needs and progress; identifying objectives and strategies with a commitment to working towards achieving them.
- To ensure the setting remains clean and tidy, abiding by the setting’s Health and Safety policy.
- To prepare daily snack and lunch appropriately and hygenically.
- To complete any other reasonable duties, as requested by the management in order to enhance the setting.
- To read Policies and Procedures termly to ensure up to date at all times.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Essential:
- Childcare qualification at Level 3 (or equivalent)
- Previous work experience with children and of managing a key group
- Good sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage
- Ability to identify and refer problems
- Understanding and accepting of the aims and policies of the group
- A friendly, caring, non-judgemental and helpful approach
- Ability to relate well to children and parents
- Punctual
- Enthusiastic team member
- Paediatric First Aid certificate - we will provide training in first 3 months if required
Pay: £13.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
