Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship, Nikki's Nurseries Ltd

Vacancy description

Duties Include:

• In conjunction with qualified staff, provide the highest standards of quality care and education for the children and recognise both individual and group requirements in a secure, safe and stimulating environment
• Ensure you are familiar with key policies and procedures, especially Safeguarding Children, Equal Opportunities, Behaviour Management and Health and Safety
• Within reason, comply with requests to work outside normal hours, for example to cover if staff unexpectedly have to leave to room or are called away. This includes requests from the nursery to work different shift patterns from time to time to support the needs of the nursery
• Ensure parents issues and concerns are dealt with promptly and accurately by notifying your room leader and consulting management
• Participate in staff meetings and room meetings when requested
• To ensure the provision of a high-quality environment to meet the needs of individual children from differing cultures and religious backgrounds, and stages of development
• To be an ambassador for Ashburton House Day Nursery both within the nursery and in the wider community
• To be aware of the high profile of the Nursery and to uphold its standards at all times 
• Never leave the room or nursery and put your colleagues at risk of being out of ratio - unless in the case of emergency
• Be familiar with the nurseries designated officers for Safeguarding, SENDco, Equal Opportunities and Behaviour Management
• Attend training and courses as directed by your room leader or managers
• Promote at all times, good relations between staff members, parents and children, and promote the quality ethos of the nursery
• To be aware of and act in accordance with current legislation, policy and procedures
• Support all staff and engage in a good staff team with strong communication and excellent teamwork
• To attend ALL out of working hours activities, e.g. training, staff meetings, parents’ evenings, events, etc.
• To respect the confidentiality of information received
• Support co-ordinators such as SENDco, Equal Opportunities in their roles
• Work in partnership with early years professionals, for example Health Visitors, SEND services
• Supporting staff who are training by acting as a good role model of excellent practice
• Challenge poor practice, by speaking with your room leader

Childcare and Curriculum

• Deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and any other appropriate guidance for young children in accordance with nursery policy and guidelines 
• Understand and implement and embed The Curiosity Approach
• Observe each child’s progress and report on achievements, looking for progression and continuity alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Ensure that you have a clear understanding of the settling of new children into your room as well as the transfer of children from your room to others in the nursery, or those going to school 
• Ensure that no child is ever left on their own in the room/nursery or on an outing 
• To deliver and enhance, where possible, a program of activities suitable to the age range of children in your area in conjunction with other staff
• Understand the key person system, keeping children’s learning journeys up to date on EYlog
• Ensure that you attend to all round daily needs of the children by enhancing their physical, intellectual, social and emotional development 
• Support the children in serving their own food and drinks, encouraging good nutrition and sociable eating 
• Assist children with personal care, including nappy and toileting and other welfare duties
• Ensure you are aware of any Health Care Plans the children may have 
• Ensure you are aware of any dietary/allergy requirements the children may have 
• Action and monitor all safeguarding/protection issues/accidents to ensure that any remedial action is taken immediately. Ensure close monitoring of children about whom there are concerns
• Carry out health and safety checks as required to ensure the room/nursery is tidy, safe, clean and secure for children, staff, parents/carers and visitors 
• Maintain attendance registers 
• Acknowledge children’s birthdays and ensure the kitchen are aware 
• Participate in free flow systems. This aids children’s development in self-assurance, independence, making choices and self-selecting 
• Ensure children have access to adequate fresh air through garden and outings 
• Manage milk preparation areas (babies) 
• Cover for other staff as appropriate and as directed by your manager, especially given that unforeseen situation can occur when caring for children and recognising that the child’s welfare is paramount
• Ensure the environment, the interactions and the demeanour we possess is happy, kind, warm and welcoming to all children 
• Ensure that the children’s experiences are on the notion of ‘fullness of life’ whereby they are offered meaningful conversations, interactions and experiences as opposed to hijacking their play or a series of tests and questions that they already know

Support unqualified staff to complete learning journeys and assessments

• Relevant skills for working with groups of children 0-5 years old
• The ability to maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children
• An ability to carry out light physical duties to include lifting babies and children, housekeeping tasks and setting up resources
• Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours
• A positive attitude to the use of authority and maintaining discipline
• Able to communicate effectively with adults and children
• Good organisational skills
• A willingness to learn and abide by the nursery policies and procedures
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to demonstrate reliability and initiative
• A professional attitude and manner
• An enthusiastic approach to work
• Flexibility to cope with the changing needs of the nursery
• The ability to work as part of a team, developing positive relationships with parents, children and colleagues and outside agencies.
• A willingness to adhere to the nursery values

• Be trustworthy and honest to reflect the values of the nursery
• Reflect on your practice and look for ways to improve
• Act with integrity and trust
• Have respect for each other
• Be kind
• Everyone matters, regardless of gender, race, culture, age, capability, orientation or religion
• Parents and carers are our partners in the outcomes for their children
• Embrace the Curiosity Approach and understand and embed the values
• Understand Ofsted Top Down Definition to Teaching and ensure that these are evident in your observations of the children
• Be safety conscious at all times
• Don’t procrastinate, deal with important issues straight away
• Consult colleagues and management
• Have a positive attitude towards others and your work
• Keep your sense of humour even when times are tough
• Think about what you are saying and the consequences to others
• Treat others how you would like to be treated yourself
• Be sensitive about what you say in front of the children
• Always remember you are part of a team
• Make time to acknowledge and greet colleagues
• Be considerate to all

• Educated to GCSE or equivalent level, with passes in four or more subjects, two of which are English and maths
• Childcare qualified to minimum Level 2 from a recognised awarding scheme.