Playgroup Leader

_**Little Acorns Playgroup **_
- 20a Derrymore Road, Gawley’s Gate, Craigavon, Co Armagh, BT67 0BW_

**JOB DESCRIPTION - PLAYGROUP LEADER**

**Reports to** - Management Committee

**Hours** - 5 Days per week during term time. Additional hours available in Breakfast Club and After Schools Club if desired. Breakfast & After school duties to be shared with deputy & assistant

**Summary of role**
- To provide safe high quality education and care for early years children.
- To lead and manage staff on a day-to-day basis
- To contribute to and implement Little Acorn’s Policies
- To ensure that all legal, statutory and setting obligations are met.

**Essential Criteria**
- Level 5 Early Years Education & Childcare qualification or equivalent
- At least 2 years proven experience of working in an Early Year’s education setting
- Knowledge and Understanding of Early Years Foundation stage
- Knowledge and understanding of minimum standards

**We are looking for someone who has**:

- the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with parents and children alike
- excellent interpersonal skills
- the ability to plan and manage their own and the workload of others
- the ability to use their initiative and make decisions
- highly effective supervisory skills of staff and children
- the ability to lead and motivate a capable team
- effective IT skills
- the ability to maintain high energy levels throughout the working day

**Duties and Responsibilities**

The Playgroup Leader shall be responsible for:
**Education & Learning**
- Providing a high quality of education and learning, ensuring that staff are deployed properly, and offer appropriate stimulation and support to the children attending the setting
- Drawing up long term, medium term and sessional curriculum (weekly) plans which take into account the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and to monitor the effectiveness of the settings plans.
- To supervise the drawing up and implementation of the daily programme of activities and events.
- Providing a safe, caring and stimulating environment for the children, within the guidelines of: The N.I Curriculum issued by Department of Education, Minimum Standards issued by Social Services and any other guidelines issued by ETI, Dept of Education, Social Services & Public Health Agency.
- Organize the key worker system, and ensure those key workers engage effectively with their children and parents/carers.
- To implement systems of observations and record keeping, so that children’s progress and achievements are regularly recorded, monitoring staff’s observations of children to ensure significant and meaningful observations are being recorded and progression is implemented and linked to the weekly plans.

**Health & Safety**
- To fulfil duties as the Designated Officer to ensure that the welfare and safety of children is promoted within the setting and that any child protection issues are acted upon immediately and appropriately.
- To ensure Little Acorns Playgroup is a safe environment for children, staff & volunteers that equipment is safe, standards of hygiene are high and meet the Department of the Environment criteria. Safety procedures are implemented at all times and fire drills are regularly practiced.
- To contribute an implement all policies and procedures and adhere to minimum standards, e.g. register & signing in/out procedures, accident/incident reports, child protection, health & safety, confidentiality, food safety, hygiene and complaints. Oversea that all policies and procedures are followed by all staff and updated at least once a year or when new guidance is introduced.

**Leadership & Management**
- To create a positive and professional working environment for staff, encouraging team work and professional development.
- Keeping up to date with current best practise, identifying training needs and ensuring staff are appropriately supported to carry out their role effectively.
- Ensure performance management systems are implemented e.g. induction, probationary period, support & supervision, annual appraisals, weekly meeting. Personal performance agreements are reviewed and signed by staff, targets set are regularly assessed to ensure staff are reaching their potential.
- Participate in recruitment & ensure job descriptions are kept up to date.
- To be aware of the Playgroup’s financial position, understanding the balance between spending and income raising any concerns with the Treasurer. Any equipment/resources are ordered and kept within budget.
- Ensure the petty cash system is managed appropriately and procedures are followed.
- Provide Treasurer with staff timesheets and any other information/records required to maintain Treasurer’s financial report each month.
- Ensuring that the playroom is fully set out before the session commences and is tidied up after the session ends.
- Encourage the active participation of all parents in the group. Where appropri