Flexible Early Years Practitioner

About The Role

The Early Years Alliance is the largest early years membership organisation and voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England. An educational charity, the Alliance represents the interests of over 14,000 member settings who deliver care and learning to over 800,000 families every year. We are looking to recruitan **Flexible Early Years Practitioner**

**Benefits**
- 28 pro-rata days annual leave
- Employer and employee contribution pension scheme
- Regular access to internal and external learning and development opportunities
- A dedicated mental health First Aider to support your mental well-being

**Main duties of the role**
- To understand and work to the EYFS and related guidance to provide stimulating and age-appropriate play and learning activities that appropriately support children’s learning and development.
- To contribute to a high level of care that will enhance the children’s general health and well-being and to ensure that all toys, equipment and environment are suitable, clean and safe, and children are supervised at all times.
- To be aware of the security procedures of the venue or community space you are working in, carry out appropriate safety sweeps, and manage the arrival and departure of each child safety.
- To assist in the preparation of snacks and meals, ensuring that all children’s dietary and cultural needs are met, and consideration is given to allergy requirements.
- To be aware of any special educational and additional needs a child may have, ensuring that every child’s individual needs are understood and met,liaising and exchanging information with parents.
- To keep up to date with current early years good practice.
- To hold and maintain a current First Aid certificate.
- To have a commitment to working flexible hours to meet the needs of the service in a range of early years services when required, and ability to work at short notice if necessary.

**Essential criteria**
- A minimum of a relevant Level 2 childcare qualification, and recent working experience of the childcare and early education sector, or other relevant service working with children and families.
- It is a statutory requirement that: “staff have a sufficient understanding and use of English to ensure the well-being of children in their care.” (EYFS 2021)
- Ability to communicate to include the ability to establish rapport and credibility with external agencies, parents, guardians and other carers.
- Good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), child development and how babies and young children learn through play, talk and discovery.
- Understanding of the benefits to babies and children of being outdoors, and a clear commitment to outdoor learning in all weathers and throughout the year.
- Possess a current First Aid certificate. Ability to produce clear, accurate and well-written reports and correspondence in English, e.g. for observations, behavioural and development records.

**Hours: As and When Required**

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- All successful applicants will be required to register and subscribe with the DBS Update Service (if you have not already done so) and undertake a new enhanced disclosure and barring check (even if you have an existing DBS Certificate)._
- About The Service
- The Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedures to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding across the whole organisation.**The charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and equal opportunities in employment.