Early Years Practitioner

**Benefits**:

- 1 night free stay at one of the YMCA Hotels
- 60% discount on childcare fees for children up to 3 years of age
- 20% discount on childcare for children over 3 for non-funded hours
- Free and discounted places for children attending Day Camps
- 28 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays per year for full-time staff
- Staff Pension
- Free parking
- Free Gym membership - George Williams Centre, Bridgwater or The Beach Hotel Minehead
- Health Insurance for those staff working over 16 hours per week
- Charity Worker’s Discount at certain high street stores
- Training budget
- Monthly raffle
- Mental Health Support
- Access to Occupational Health Assessment
- Discount at our Wedding Venue, Barley Wood

**General information**:
If you enjoy being around children and helping them learn, then this is your chance to earn whilst you train. Topics you will study include child and young person development, safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, supporting positive behaviour, partnership working in services for children and young people, health and safety, supporting positive environments, child development, practical care, planning and implementing activities, and observation.

**Duties and responsibilities**
- To provide opportunities for children to learn through play experiences that are cohesive with our practice and the EYFS, utilising the outdoors as much as possible.
- To provide a secure, stimulating and inclusive environment where children can develop emotionally and intellectually as well as morally, physically, spiritually and socially, at their own pace.
- To help maintain the safety, security, physical and emotional welfare of the children in our care.
- To work positively as part of the team, contributing ideas and listening to feedback, to provide the best possible practice and care.
- To participate in activity planning and implementation.
- To help monitor all-round development of the children through the key person system, regular observations and record keeping.
- To drive your own professional development to ensure your training and knowledge, legislation, compliance of the EYFS, legislation, compliance and YMCA-DG policies is up to date.
- To follow YMCA Dulverton’s safeguarding, child protection and safer working practice policies at all times.
- To maintain and monitor high standards of care and Health and Safety throughout your work and the work of the Meadowside team, feeding back or reporting promptly and wider concerns to the Nursery Manager.
- The post holder is responsible for delivering an effective quality service and to promote a tolerant and caring environment consistent with Christian values.
- To undertake any other duties as deemed appropriate to the level of the post by the, Nursery Manager, Head of Childcare, CEO or Board of Trustees.

**Experience/Qualifications**
- To have experience of working with children under the age of 5
- First aid qualification (or willingness to train)
- Working knowledge of health and safety
- Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding good practice

**Skills**
- An empathy for and enjoyment of working with children
- Ability to work effectively in a team and independently
- Good organisational and administrative skills and the ability to maintain clear and accurate records
- Good verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills
- The ability to form plans and carry them out in a busy environment

**Personal**
- Ability and willingness to relate positively towards children, parents and staff
- Conscientious and Punctual
- Professional, diplomatic, and non-judgemental approach
- Motivated and committed to continuing professional development, both personally and in the interests of staff for whom the post has responsibility
- A belief in the value and potential of children and young people as individuals and as a group
- Creative approach to problem solving, exploring ideas and opportunities and a solution focused approach
- Can evidence an understanding of Equal Opportunities
- An ability to work under pressure and remain calm in challenging situations
- Genuine enthusiasm and empathy for the work of the organisation and the individuals we work with
- Able to support the Christian ethos and Values Base of YMCA Dulverton
- An honest and open approach
- Capable of an acceptable result to Enhanced DBS check

**Contract**: Term Time Only 37.5 hours per week

**Job Types**: Full-time, Part-time

**Salary**: £18,763.65 per year

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Experience**:

- Childcare: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person