Trainee Support Worker

**Trainee Support Worker**

**Childcare Works Project Employment Programme**

**Responsible to**: NDNA Project Manager

**Location**: Childcare Settings in East Ayrshire

**Salary**:National Minimum Wage

**Hours**: Part time, 16 hours per week

**Contract**: Temporary position funded for 16 weeks

**Eligibility**:As per the project's funding requirements, only applicants who reside in East Ayrshire will be considered. Applicants will need to be either long-term unemployed (12+ months) or economically inactive.
- This project has been funded and supported by East Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership (EALEP) through the Scottish Government._

**National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)** is the national charity and membership association representing children’s day nurseries across the UK, giving them information, training and support, so they can provide the best possible care to young children. NDNA is the voice of the day nursery sector, an integral part of the lives of nearly one million children and their families. NDNA works with local and national government to develop an environment in which quality early year’s education and care can flourish.

**Main purpose of the role**

The Trainee Support Worker (TSW) will be supported by the NDNA Project Coordinator and supervised by the childcare setting where they are assigned. Additional support will also be made available via the NDNA Scotland and NDNA Cymru team. The Trainee Support Worker will initially undertake a 4 week paid training programme. The training will be delivered remotely and will provide the necessary skills prior to undertaking a 12 week paid work placement within a childcare setting. The aim of programme is to support the TSW in securing further employment or training.

**Main duties**

The main duties of the post holder will be:

- Support the care and early education of all children placed in the setting
- To work effectively as part of a team and contribute ideas which support the smooth operation of the setting
- Support effective communication and liaison between the setting, parents, other family members, other carers (e.g. childminders) and any external professionals
- Support the delivery of a programme of activities suitable for the age range and developmental stage of each child in conjunction with other staff
- Be alert to the personal and care needs of individual children and address these as required, e.g. feeding, toileting, sleep, play, etc.
- Follow and adhere to all policies and procedures
- Work flexibly as directed across the nursery and be prepared to help where needed including undertaking certain domestic jobs, e.g. cleansing of equipment and cleaning of premises
- Maintain and respect confidentiality of any information received
- Behave in ways that maintain the reputation of the setting and uphold high standards at all times
- Specific childcare tasks to:

- Support in the preparation and completion of activities to suit each child's stage of development, interests and needs
- Engage in mealtimes and ensure that these are times of pleasant social sharing and conversation
- Support in washing and changing children as required

In carrying out the duties and responsibilities set out within the job description and in the context of developing working relationships with others, the post holder will be expected to demonstrate commitment to and comply with all of NDNA’s policies and procedures.

**Personnel Specification**

**Skills and Abilities**

**Essential**
- A desire to care for and work with children from 0-5 years
- Caring and calm attitude
- Able to work as part of a team
- Good communication skills
- Able to adapt into a working practice
- Able to follow set procedures

**Desirable**
- Able to be proactive
- Able to form close relationships with children, parents and staff

**Knowledge**

**Desirable**
- Child development knowledge
- Knowledge of how and why a nursery operates

**Experience**

**Desirable**
- Evidence of having cared for children or worked in a childcare position

**Other Requirements**

**Essential**
- Accurate completion of paperwork as requested by NDNA, the setting and the scheme funder
- Able to maintain good attendance and time management
- Able to travel
- Must not be disqualified from working with children.
- Must agree to PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check

**Job Types**: Part-time, Temporary contract

**Salary**: £7.49-£10.42 per hour

Expected hours: 16 per week

Day range:

- Monday to Friday

Shift:

- Day shift

Work Location: In person