Nursery Practitioner
Salary: Grade 3 - £27,319 per annum (with potential to increase to £29,540 per annum within discretionary points)
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Balliol College Day Nursery
Department: Nursery
Reports to: Nursery Manager
Hours: 38.75 per week, Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:15pm
Holiday: 6 weeks (30 days), plus Bank Holidays, during a complete holiday year, the majority of which are taken during the Christmas, Easter and August Nursery closure periods. The College reserves the right to require staff to work on Bank Holidays during full term, receiving a day in lieu.
Probation period: 4 months
Notice period: 1 month on either side
Balliol College
Situated in an historic site in central Oxford, Balliol has been a hub of learning and community since its foundation in 1263. As one of the larger colleges within the University of Oxford, it is home to roughly 860 students, with undergraduates making up just under half of the student body. The College also employs over 80 Fellows, 50 lecturers, and about 180 support staff, with Dame Helen Ghosh as its current Master.
While academic excellence is at the core of Balliol’s mission, visitors are often struck by the College’s informal and welcoming atmosphere. Beyond its walls, Balliol has an active and engaged global community of over 8,000 alumni and donors.
Further information about the College is available at www.balliol.ox.ac.uk.
Purpose of the Post
Balliol Day Nursery is a small University College nursery, based on Rawlinson Road, North Oxford. We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Nursery Practitioner to help deliver outstanding care and education to 16 mixed-aged children.
The Nursery is a warm, friendly and family orientated nursery. We have a small, dedicated team and are looking for someone to join us who will enjoy the challenge of providing excellent care to children aged 6 months to 4 years.
This is an excellent opportunity if you hold a full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.
Job duties and responsibilities
Safeguarding and approach
- Work as part of a small team providing and maintaining a happy, safe and enabling environment for all children, whilst adhering to Nursery policies and procedures
- Make sure child protection and safeguarding is always promoted. Report all concerns in accordance with the nursery’s Safeguarding and Whistle blowing policies and procedures.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to challenge or report any discriminatory behaviour.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.
Childcare and development
- Be a key person to a group of five mixed aged children.
- Plan and provide stimulating and play experiences to develop children’s emotional, physical, social and cognitive capabilities in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Keep up-to-date records of children’s progress and learning, using the nursery’s online learning journal, Tapestry. Share this journal with parents and encourage them to contribute.
- Promote good relationships with parents and carers, keeping them well informed about their children’s activities and progress. Support them where necessary with ideas to further develop the children’s learning and development at home.
- Have due regard to matters of confidentially. Ensure that we fulfil our legal obligation, to keep safe any personal or sensitive information which we hold about children and their families, in accordance with the nursery’s privacy notice and policies.
- Work with the management team, to create an attractive, stimulating environment for the children, with play areas, displays and activities, to inspire and engage them at all levels.
- Help maintain a clean and safe environment. Carry out all cleaning and tidying routines and domestic chores as required.
- Provide for the children’s personal needs, with toileting and nappy changing, mealtimes and sleeping.
- Deal with minor injuries and provide initial first aid when needed.
Other
- Attend and contribute to monthly team meetings, training, supervision meetings and annual appraisals.
- Work with outside professionals, attending and contributing to family meetings and or child development appointments (sometimes away from the setting) where appropriate.
Person Specification – skills and experience
Essential
- NVQ (or equivalent) Level 2 or Level 3 early years qualification
- OSCB generalist safeguarding training
- Knowledge and proven practical experience of implementing good quality learning opportunities
- Demonstrate a love of working with young children and an ability to fully engage with them and motivate them on all levels
- Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal – competent IT skills
- Ability to write reports and keep clear and accurate records
- Excellent organisational skills
- Calm and caring approach
- Work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative
- Reliable, enthusiastic and flexible
- Committed to quality with a high level of motivation and enthusiasm
- Fit and able to fully engage in all nursery activities and duties as necessary
- Creative with a good sense of humour
Desirable
- Level 2 food safety
- Paediatric first aid
- SENCO
- Experience working in a Preschool/Nursery setting
Employee Benefits
- A free two-course lunch is available in the Hall, when the kitchens are open.
- Oxford University Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS) This is a contributory pension scheme, with contributions from both the employee and the College. Further details are available here.
- Interest-free ticket loans enabling the purchase of bus passes and annual rail season tickets to Oxford. Discounted travel is available on some services.
- Cycle to work scheme offering discounted rates on bicycles and accessories.
- Electric vehicle leasing scheme (salary sacrifice - eligibility criteria apply).
- Free flu jabs and eye tests for VDU/computer users
- Free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool
- Preferential rates for other University sports facilities and the Nuffield Health gym on Woodstock Road.
- University Club Free membership of the University Club, which offers food, drink and accommodation in an exclusive space for staff, postgraduates and alumni.
- In addition to training organised by the College, resources are available from the University.
- Free visitor access to the 45 colleges and halls of the University, the University’s Libraries, Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Museums.
- Employee discounts - available at local and national retailers and online services using exclusive discount codes for University staff and with a TOTUM (formerly NUS) card.
- Balliol nursery - subsidised rates are available for Balliol staff, subject to availability.
Application procedure
Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation about the role should, in the first instance, contact Jennifer Howes (Acting Nursery Manager) [email protected], or in her absence Anna Coles (Deputy Nursery Manager) [email protected].
Applications should be made online at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/careers. This vacancy will close when sufficient applications have been received. Early applications are encouraged.
Safeguarding
This role is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks including enhanced disclosure and barring system checks, overseas checks where necessary and two reference checks.
Interviews
Shortlisting will take place when sufficient applications have been received.
Right to Work
Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK).
Equal Opportunities
Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants should let us know if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.
Data Protection
Personal data is processed in accordance with Balliol College’s Privacy Policy which is available at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/privacy-policy
