This is an opportunity for an experienced individual working in childcare currently in a management position, with a strong ambition to progress further in both a practical manner and to continue with professional development
The individual will be ambitious, with a solid background in childcare and have the ability to work alongside the Church Leadership to manage the existing setting, assisted by 2 deputy managers, and to have strong forward looking vision to see how the setting can be moved to the next level.
The setting is owned and managed by a Christian based organisation and we pride ourselves on the implementation of these Christian values to create a caring and loving community.
The hours of work are to be agreed between 7.30am and 6pm.
Key Responsibilities:
To work alongside the church leadership and NI:-
· to manage the provision of the setting ensuring that children, parents and the staff team work together to provide high quality childcare.
· to manage the staff team effectively, assisted by the deputy managers
· to monitor and assess the quality of provision ensuring that policies and procedures, best practice and standards are maintained
· In the management of day-to-day financial operations within the setting:
Main duties:
Operational Responsibilities
· To work with the deputy managers in the day-to-day running of the setting, ensuring compliance with registration and legislative requirements at all times.
· To ensure that the setting conforms to and exceeds the requirements of Ofsted.
· To ensure that the setting consistently meets the requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage to a minimum standard good
· To help to uphold and ensure a high standard of care throughout the setting.
· To ensure implementation and maintenance of the company’s Inclusion and Equality policy ensuring that children, parents and the staff team are valued and practice is positive and non-discriminatory.
· To help monitor any safeguarding issues following local authority & EFGA procedures.
· To give regular feedback to the Church Leadership team& EFGA Nominated Individual about the setting including any complaints received or any situation that may be detrimental to the setting, church & EFGA.
· To know and understand the procedure for Notifying the Church Leadership Team & EFGA Nominated Individual of any complaints received or any situation that may be detrimental to the setting, church & EFGA, agree actions to resolve issues and implement accordingly.
· Help prepare the setting for Ofsted inspections and action any recommendations made by the inspector ensuring a minimum good grade is awarded.
Individual Accountability
· To help ensure that all staff are aware of their areas of responsibility and to be able to clearly demonstrate an awareness of own areas of responsibility and how these are being met.
· To communicate effectively with all members of staff and be professional at all times.
· To help ensure the Setting Development Plans and Self-Evaluation documents are kept up to date and all staff are aware of this through Individual Development Plans and regular staff meetings.
· Work within the margins of confidentially respecting information pertaining to children, parents and staff.
· To help identify those whose practice does not comply with organisational and legal requirements, agree action plan with the manager and take steps to resolve issues.
· Manage own time to complete tasks effectively, prioritising workload and delegate tasks to team members. Monitor and evaluate progress of delegated tasks, providing constructive feedback.
· To contribute and participate in the development of new ideas.
· To keep up to date on all current childcare issues.
· Shared responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of the children, ensuring that their needs are met.
· To contribute and make recommendations for the future development and long term vision of the setting.
· To help ensure that the setting is fully resourced with essential items to allow for full implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage and Health & Safety legislation.
· Take part in annual visits from the EFGA Nominated Individual alongside the manager if safe and appropriate to do so, informing of any developments, implementation of standards, policies and procedures and any areas of concern.
Personnel
· To be accountable for staffing within the setting ensuring that appropriate ratios of qualified to unqualified staff and children to staff are maintained.
· To support the church leadership in the recruitment of new members of staff ensuring that all recruitment processes comply with EFGA policy, employment legislation and Ofsted requirements.
· To ensure that all new staff members receive a formal induction during the probationary period and probationary review within the stated time scale.
· To Support the maintenance of accurate and up to date personnel records for all employees within the setting.
· To monitor and develop the work of the staff team against the criteria set in their job descriptions
· To be involved in the maintenance of the setting supervision and appraisal system, assessing and appraising the performance of staff members, providing opportunities for further informal meetings if necessary.
· To identify and deal with poor performance with agreed action plans with individual, clear targets and goals, realistic timescales and opportunities for constructive feedback and monitoring, ensuring that all documentation is accurate and signed.
· In consultation with the church leadership team, help to deal with grievance and disciplinary matters in accordance with EFGA procedures.
· Maintain effective working relationships in the staff team, through regular staff meetings, team meetings, training sessions and open honest communication.
· Provide constructive, honest, feedback to support and encourage all staff.
· Help to monitor staff sickness, unauthorised absence and staff turnover.
· To establish good professional relationships with colleagues working in other settings, the local authority and across the EFGA network of settings.
Finance and Administration
· Implement and ensure that set budgets are not exceeded.
· To ensure that petty cash is used appropriately and accurate records are maintained and submitted monthly.
· To ensure that all supplies are used with due economy.
· To ensure prior authorisation is sought for any expenditure outside set budgets.
· To keep all computer systems and records up to date and accurate at all times and to be aware of the Data Protection Act, GDPR and its implications.
· To maintain children’s records to a high standard with due regard to confidentiality.
· To observe children through play to identify their individual needs and next steps.
· To assist staff in the carrying out observations and evaluations of children’s activities.
· To maintain personal contact with parents through meetings, parents evenings, open days and informal conversations.
· To ensure that all parents are fully informed about the setting and that new parents are welcomed appropriately giving due regard to their concerns and questions.
Training and Development
· Be professional, polite and positive in all verbal and non-verbal interactions with staff, parents and children at all times.
· Through regular meetings with the deputy manager, identify individual and setting development needs ensuring these needs are met through appropriate training.
· Help monitor and evaluate effectiveness of training through staff member’s evaluation after training, following agreed actions to improve practice.
· To help ensure that trainee staff have experience with different age groups and that appropriate learning objectives are assessed and evaluated accordingly.
· To help ensure that areas for development on Individual Development Plans are worked towards at all times.
Health & Safety
· To help ensure that the physical environment of the setting is maintained to comply with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act & Ofsted requirements.
· To help ensure that a daily Health & Safety checks are carried out. As well as create, deliver, monitor and review systems for longer term health & safety compliance.
· Ensure that all risk assessments are up to date, and fire drills are carried out on a regular basis and recorded accurately and promptly.
· To have clear knowledge of procedures to be followed in case of emergency e.g. Fire, and accident, completing and submitting relevant paperwork.
· To help with medication administration within the setting following medication policy.
· Operate high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within the setting.
· To ensure that staff carry out appropriate indoor and outdoor equipment checks, checking the garden before each use.
A level 3 qualification in childcare is required together with management experience preferable, with a desire to progress further in both childcare and management qualifications
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo pre-employment checks including checks with past employers and the DBS. It is an offense to apply for this post if you know you are barred from working with children
We operate within our Elim diversity and equality policy, which can be viewed using the following link or on request :-
Elim Diversity and Equality Policy
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £30,000.00-£36,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Experience:
- Childcare: 2 years (preferred)
- management: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- DVS certificate (preferred)
Work Location: In person
