Pre-school Leader

**Preschool Leader**

Jack Horner Preschool is committed to delivering excellent outcomes for children. We pride ourselves on running a setting where children are happy, safe and able to reach their potential. Our staff team are the most important resource we have to ensure that this happens. We require staff who are child centred and willing to go the extra mile to make sure that our children fulfil their potential.

The Pre-School Leader will be responsible for the day to day running of the Pre-School to ensure safe, stimulating play in a safe, caring and welcoming environment for children and their families in line with DHSSPS minimum standards for children under age 12.

This will involve planning, preparing and delivering play based activities appropriate for children aged 3-4 years:

- To lead short, medium and long-term planning for the Pre-school
- The assessment, monitoring and recording of individual children’s development
- Responsible for the management and development of the Pre-School staff including the allocation and monitoring of work, appraisal and training.

**Responsibilities**
- Responsible for the overall safety and wellbeing of the children
- Oversee the completion of risk assessments throughout the setting both indoors and outdoors.
- Provide safe, stimulating group play to meet the 6 areas of learning in the NI Pre-school Curricular guidance
- Establish productive working relationships with children, acting as a role model and setting high expectations
- Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all children within the Pre-School
- Provide and maintain equality of opportunity for all children and their families
- Organise and manage an appropriate learning environment and resources
- Select and prepare resources to take account of the children’s interests, language and cultural background
- Manage liaison with all relevant bodies to gather the necessary information for Health Visitors, Social Services and ETI to ensure that the Pre-School is satisfying all the necessary legal and statutory requirements
- Monitor, evaluate and adjust individual plans as appropriate for the children to reach their next stage in development
- Manage record keeping systems and processes and record progress and achievements in activities systematically and providing evidence of range and level of progress and attainment
- Establish constructive relationships with parents/ carers, exchanging information, facilitating their support for their child’s attendance
- Comply with and assist with the development of policies and procedures relating to child protection, health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting concerns to an appropriate person
- Manage all staff and students appointed to the Pre-school including ensuring a supervision and appraisal process is implemented
- Responsible for calling regular staff and planning meetings in order that staff will be fully aware of their roles and the progression of the Pre-School curriculum throughout the year
- Recruitment and induction of new staff in conjunction with Committee
- Participate in training and other learning activities as appropriate
- Work closely with the management committee including attending committee meetings and producing written reports
- Ensure wider communication of the Pre-School activities by producing monthly newsletters and updating social media to engage with parents / carers
- Take part in and organise fundraising activities, special events, outings and visits

**The list of responsibilities above is not exhaustive and the leader may be expected to take on other reasonable duties as assigned by the Pre-School / Playgroup Committee**

**ESSENTIAL CRITERIA**
- A qualification at QCF Level 5 Diploma in Child Care, earning and Development or Playwork: or a relevant occupational qualification in early years education, social work, nursing, teaching or health visiting
- A minimum of 2 years paid experience working with children
- Good knowledge and understanding of NI Pre-School curriculum guidelines
- Knowledge of child development including age appropriate areas of learning
- Experience of developing long, medium and short-term planning for early years setting
- Demonstrate an understanding of developing policies and procedures
- Good understanding of child protection and minimum standards
- Experience of observations and planning
- Ability to lead and work in a team
- Experience of managing staff and students, including staff appraisals
- IT Skills

**DESIRABLE CRITERIA**
- BA Hons Degree in Early Childhood Studies, or Degree level qualification in Early Years
- 2 Years previous experience leading and supervising members of staff in an early year setting with children
- Experience of ETI inspections
- Experience of PSEEP funding

**Job Type**: Part-time
Part-time hours: 20 / 25 per week

**Salary**: £13.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

School type:

- Prescho