Senior Practitioner

At The Avenue Childcare Services our vision is to work in partnership with families to provide quality, innovative early learning and childcare in a warm and welcoming environment by approachable knowledgeable staff to meet the needs of the local community.

We are a small not-for-profit third sector nursery based in Onthank, Kilmarnock and care for a maximum of ten 0-3’s and sixteen 3-5’s at any time. We are a full year nursery who provide childcare for working parents and referred children as well as being partner providers with East Ayrshire Council for eligible 2 year olds and 3-5’s.

We are looking to hire a friendly, professional, energetic person to take on the role as Senior Practitioner within our services.

While the main body of work expected from the Senior Practitioner is done within the playroom, there will also be time given off the floor in order to complete the tasks related to monitoring and quality assurance.

The Senior Practitioner will over-see one of our two playrooms, and will be part of a team responsible for planning, carrying out, and evaluating play experiences centred around the children in their care.

To work under the direction of the manager of The Avenue Childcare Services.

To set up the play areas and/or learning opportunities for the children, welcome children to the setting and implement high-quality play and learning for children.

To support in keeping the setting clean and tidy with the ability and knowledge to adhere to all health and safety policies and procedures.

To support children during everyday tasks such as putting on coats, shoes, nappy changing, toileting and hand-washing.

To prepare and distribute snacks and lunches.

To report any concerns regarding the welfare of a child to the manager.

To ensure accurate paperwork is kept on children’s experiences and development.

The Senior Practitioner would be in charge of one of our two playrooms and will oversee the other staff in the room, reporting directly to the Manager of the services.

Ensuring they comply with their own SSSC requirements of registration and CPL responsibilities.

In the absence of the Manager, oversee the day-to-day running of the nursery.

Form strong connections and ensure parental involvement in their child/ren’s learning.

Personal Qualities

Warm and caring with an extremely patient nature toward children.

Professional assertiveness in order to ensure staff maintain the high standard expected by management and parents.

A friendly, outgoing nature to ensure you can build trusting, meaningful connections with families.

Required

Have a qualification that allows you to be registered as a practitioner with the SSSC (HNC in Childcare Practice or equivalent).

A BA in Childhood Practice (or equivalent) or be willing, within 5 years, to gain this qualification.

The organisation operates from 7.45am until 5.30pm Monday to Friday. You will be required to work 27.5 hours per week and these hours will be organised according to a rota within the core hours. It is essential that applicants are available to work during the core hours.

Any job offer is dependent on your ability to become a member of the PVG scheme and register with the SSSC.

Desirable

Have at least one year experience in a Leadership role within childcare.

Hold a Food Hygiene certificate

Hold a valid First Aid at Work certificate

Flexibility to take on extra hours to cover holidays and sickness if required

Pay: £13.00 per hour

Expected hours: 27.5 per week

**Experience**:

- childcare: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 02/09/2024