Early Years Practitioner

Ducklings is an exciting and forward-thinking Nursery. We are looking for an Educator to support our Preschool team, in our 35 space nursery based on a school site.

Ideally someone who passionate about bringing their curriculum to life and wants to be part of a team that is dedicated to the magic of teaching children how to learn and not what to learn.

We are committed to providing a high quality service through our curriculum and hope to recruit people who are equally passionate about implementing the latest research around building children’s brains. The world has changed rapidly - unfortunately education has stood still.

We are here to change that.

We are a small nursery with a sister site in Nottingham and have a family feel within our team. We don't work like the big chains where you are just a number. Every member of our team counts.

We offer amazing face to face training opportunities - all training, staff meetings and staff DBS paid for.

Expectations

To provide a well researched and exciting programme of physical, emotional, social and intellectual development for all children in the nursery.

Must be level 3 Qualified with a relevant and valid early years qualification.
- To provide a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for all children in the nursery
- To give support to other team members throughout the nursery
- To work as part of a team in order to provide an enabling environment in which all individual children can play, learn and develop
- To build and maintain strong partnerships with parents
- To work within the requirements set out in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five

Occasionally situations may arise that require the post holder to perform other duties or tasks, and at other settings, as may be reasonably requested by Ducklings Private Nursery Limited

**Key Responsibilities**
- Have up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues and be able to identify signs of possible abuse or neglect and respond in a timely and appropriate way
- Plan and operate a programme of learning experiences that meet the individual needs and interests of children in your area in conjunction with other team members
- The preparation and completion of activities to suit each individual child's stage of development and interests
- To keep records of your key children’s development and learning journeys and share this with parents, carers and other key adults in the child’s life
- Engage in good team working, supporting Early Years Assistants within the team and develop your role within the team especially with regard to the key person approach
- Be a positive role model for parents, children and colleagues in all aspects of personal attitude, presentation and behaviour
- Work as part of a team to ensure effective staff deployment and ratios are met, being flexible on shift patterns to ensure children’s safety at all times. Take personal responsibility to inform senior members of the team if staff deployment falls below required levels
- Help children become familiar with the setting, offer a settled relationship for the child and build a positive relationship with their parents and any other family members
- To develop and maintain strong partnerships and communications with parents/carers to facilitate day-to-day caring and early learning needs
- Seek to engage and support parents and /or carers in guiding their child’s development at home
- To be involved in any overall nursery activities (including out of working hours activities) e.g. training, monthly staff meetings, parent evenings, fundraising events, volunteering etc.
- To be flexible within working practices of the nursery. Be prepared to help where needed, including undertaking certain domestic jobs within the nursery, e.g. preparation of snack meals, cleansing of equipment etc.
- Work alongside the Manager and staff team to ensure that the Childcare Groups values are fulfilled
- To support the delivery of the Nursery Improvement Plan measures and work with the Manager and team to ensure targets are met
- Read, understand and adhere to all policies and procedures relevant to your role
- Ensure the well being of children in your care
- Ensure Management and respective parents are notified of a poorly child immediately
- Record accidents and ensure the Duty Nursery Manager has initialled the report before the parent receives it
- Look upon the nursery, as a “whole”, ask where your help can best be utilised, be constantly aware of the individual needs of all children
- Ensure someone known and agreed by the nursery and parent collects the child
- To respect the confidentiality of all information received
- Supervision of meals and mealtimes, and where appropriate, preparation of babies’ bottles, ensuring individual meal / milk requirements are met
- Ensure meal times are a time of pleasant s