Play Manager

Play Managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of the club, as well as the administrative duties of the club. Play Managers provide leadership to their teams, as well as organise and plan the play and leisure activities for children before andafter school, as well as during the school holidays. They are also advocates for children’s play.

Our Play Managers care and supervise the children, making sure they are safe and happy.

**Play Manager Job Duties**:

- Setting up the club to create a safe and secure play environment ready for when children arrive
- Meeting and greeting children and their families
- Managing the online booking system
- Organising settling in sessions for new children
- Attend events held by the host school to represent the club
- Promotional activities to encourage new families to book
- Signing in children on the register as they arrive
- Communicating with parents/carers and/or teachers, as well as other key professionals
- Communicating with Ofsted as and when appropriate
- Supervise children effectively to ensure they are safe
- Responsible for the day-to-day running of the club
- Provide support, guidance and leadership to the team. This includes delivering induction training for new staff, as well as supervisions and appraisals
- Organise and hold regular staff meetings, as well as planning meetings
- Reviewing and approving staff rotas
- Designating key roles and responsibilities as appropriate
- Recruiting new Playworkers
- Creating and establishing excellent working relationships with the host school and local community
- Support a variety of play opportunities for children aged 4 - 11 years
- Support children within the EYFS by planning activities around the seven areas of learning and development
- Participate in children’s play as and when requested by the children. This might include sports and physical games.
- Ensure the Play Leader and Playworkers deliver a range of exciting activities based on the children’s interests. This involves getting hands dirty when delivering messy play activities.
- Oversee the Evaluating of activities and completion of Daily Diaries.
- Prepare food and drinks for children in accordance to Environmental Health guidelines
- Complete admin duties as requested by the Regional Manager or Directors
- Ensure the club follows company policies and procedures, as well as all other legal requirements, such as Health & Safety requirements
- Complete accident and incident reports, as and when required
- Encourage children to participate in new activities to expand their interests
- Encourage children to be fair and caring by leading by example
- Encourage children’s independence and self-esteem through play
- Celebrate diversity and promote inclusive practice
- Consulting and communicating with the children and their families
- Updating the club’s inventory. Maintaining resources to ensure they are safe to use by children
- Purchasing new resources and consumables for the club within a set budget
- Tidying and clearing away at the end of session
- Commitment to safeguarding the children in our care

**Skills/Qualifications**:

- NVQ Level 3 in Playwork/Childcare or other equivalent training, with at least one year’s experience in a leadership/management role
- Excellent organisational skills
- Great leadership qualities
- Three years’ previous childcare and/or Playwork experience
- Confidence to lead a team through an Ofsted inspection
- Building positive and professional relationships
- Caring and sensitive to children’s individual needs
- Excellent Knowledge and understanding of the Ofsted Welfare Requirements, including the EYFS.
- Active and energetic. Prepared to get involved in children’s play.
- Excellent Knowledge and understanding of the Playwork Principles
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with sufficient understanding of English to ensure the well-being of the children.
- Team player and ability to use initiative
- Flexible and reliable
- Critical thinking and problem solving. A 'can do’ approach to the role
- Budgeting
- Prepared to train and learn new skills
- Good IT skills

**Desirable skills/qualifications**
- Current Paediatric First Aid certificate
- Food Hygiene Level 2 or 3
- Basic safeguarding training and/or DSL training
- Current and valid driving licence

**Supporting your Continuing Professional Development (CPD)**
- Full and comprehensive induction
- Regular supervisions
- Annual performance appraisal
- Peer and leadership support
- Training opportunities

**Other great reasons to become a Play Manager at OSCAHS**
- EAP - Employee Assistance Programme, offering a variety of well-being and legal support schemes
- Annual leave (5.6 weeks or equivalent)
- Birthday day off (paid leave)
- Privilege Days (additional annual leave after three years of service and/or performance related)
- Free uniform
- Pension auto enrolment
- Annual social event
- Training Days
- Training and career development in Leadership
- Great working environment

**Hours**

23 hours per week, with additional hours available during Holiday Club periods. Typical term time hours: 07:30-09:00 and 15:00-18:00, Monday - Friday.

**OSCAHS is committed to equality of opportunity, supporting and valuing diversity. We have a formal Equal Opportunities Policy, which is available upon request.