Nursery Practitioner

**Nursery Practitioner**

Full-time, permanent

at Prince's Mead School

Winchester

**Background to the School**

Prince's Mead is a happy and thriving co-educational IAPS day preparatory school in Hampshire, with over 290 children on roll.

Set on a beautiful site near the City of Winchester, the school is housed in an impressive Grade II listed Georgian manor house with spectacular views over the Itchen Valley.

Prince’s Mead seeks to appoint a Nursery Practitioner for up to 40 hours per week and who holds a minimum Level 3 childcare qualification to meet the needs of our flourishing Nursery, at an exciting time in the school's development. Prince’s Mead Nursery offers a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment for children aged 3 to 4 who transition into Reception. Our Nursery is set within the grounds and close to our school community, offering a safe and stimulating home from home experience.

At Prince’s Mead, we believe in educating the whole child in order for them to become well-rounded, happy and fulfilled individuals with excellent academic results. Everything we do is informed by our firm belief that learning should be challenging, enriching and fun. We see education as a transformational process that guides pupils towards academic achievement, independence, collaboration, leadership and a readiness to take the next exciting step to senior school and beyond.

As an equal opportunities employer, Prince’s Mead is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

Prince’s Mead puts at the centre of its operation the safeguarding of the pupils of the school. There is a commitment to keep safeguarding at the forefront of every employee and volunteer’s mind. We encourage a culture of challenge, not just to act when there is a need, but also in the way we think to ensure the risks of harm to the pupils’ individual welfare are minimised.

Successful applicants must complete mandatory pre-employment training in safeguarding and other key areas before the commencement of employment.

We comply with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) code of practice and have a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, both of which are available on request. If shortlisted, you are required to declare any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. As a result of amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions order 1975) in 2013 and 2020, some minor offences are now protected (filtered) and should not be disclosed to potential employers, and employers cannot take these offences into account.

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

Our Nursery offers:

- A warm, nurturing and fun start to each child’s education
- Learning through play overseen by highly experienced staff
- Flexible hours for families from 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday
- Healthy, balanced food made on site by our professional Chef
- Stimulating and fresh new setting in our stunning Coach House
- Extensive grounds including Forest School, Early Years garden, playgrounds, sports hall, playing fields, tennis courts, Dining Hall and 12 acres of secure countryside.
- Individual attention in a calm, focused environment building towards a seamless move to Reception.

The **Nursery Practitioner** will work alongside the Nursery Leader and be managed by her on a day-to-day operational basis. Beyond this, they will report to the Head of EYFS.
- An awareness of child protection and safeguarding. Level 3 in Early Years Childcare or equivalent
- Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications
- Ability to work independently as well as be a team player
- A flexible, adaptable and positive attitude to staff and pupils
- Strong communication skills to promote and develop effective relationships with pupils and colleagues

**RESPONSIBILITIES**

The duties and responsibilities listed below are not exhaustive or restrictive:

- Provide professional and outstanding care throughout the day
- Help with the day-to-day running of the Nursery, including Holiday Club
- Promote the aims and objectives of the Nursery
- Promote the high standards of the Nursery at all times to parents, staff and visitors
- Ensure that all children attending the Nursery receive rich and stimulating experiences appropriate to their age and stage of development
- Ensure that practice and provision in the Nursery meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Statutory Framework
- Support the whole team in delivering the EYFS Framework
- Ensure that children are kept safe and that staff understand and follow Safeguarding Procedures
- Promote and facilitate partnerships with parents and other family members
- Create and maintain a culture of self-evaluation a