Job Details
Job title: Nursery Officer
Salary: B3 £26,403 - £28,142
Hours: 37 all year round
Contract: Permanent
Location: Little Owls Two Willows
Job Purpose
Under the general direction of the Manager and Senior staff, to work as part of the team to deliver a high standard of care which meets the individual needs of the children. All staff are required to support the services main purpose of encouraging and enabling children to develop, behaviourally, educationally and emotionally. We aim to create and maintain a customer focused attitude and approach at all times that promotes positive relationships and generates a culture of openness and trust. We provide flexible, effective and quality services by way of flexible working, working collaboratively with colleagues from other service areas and organisations to provide and maintain a safe, secure and learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children in which they can prosper, develop and achieve. We foster, maintain and support pro‑social behaviour and a restorative and solution‑focused approach with children and colleagues.
Responsibilities
* Lead and provide high‑quality care and education for all children and support for families.
* Ensure that the day‑to‑day childcare provision in your assigned room is of a high standard.
* Work with the wider leadership team to ensure a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is provided.
* Establish and deliver Individual Education Programmes (IEP) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
* Observe and monitor children’s development and prepare written reports of their progress to promote their wellbeing.
* Liaise with and provide professional advice to parents/carers and other professionals involved with the child.
* Maintain client confidentiality.
* Liaise with local primary school teachers and prepare reports that support the child’s transition into school.
* Report any injury or accident ensuring that the health and safety of the individual is maintained.
* Follow the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non‑accidental injury, complying with the Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.
* Understand and operate the policies and procedures for the administration of medication, including accurately recording and verifying drug sheets.
* Support student placements: prepare and present accurate, concise reports on these to the Manager and/or college tutors.
* Support parents, carers and families in the successful admission and transition of their children.
* Organise and participate in interesting and appropriate educational visits for children and families, observing health and safety policies and making risk assessments.
* Take responsibility for securing the building and resources if required.
* Assist the management in providing professional support to parents and outside agencies on issues relating to child protection.
* Take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
* Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to keep up‑to‑date knowledge and skills.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
* Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures such as child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
* Work within the council’s flexibility protocol as required.
* Additional duties in the spirit of the post and commensurate with the job evaluation outcome.
Qualifications & Skills
To work in this role you must hold a minimum Level 3 qualification in childcare and demonstrate good literacy and numeracy. Other requirements include:
* Recent experience working with young children and families.
* Ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
* Ability to safeguard children and support them to develop resilience.
* Ability to utilise the EYFS to lead planning and evaluation of activities.
* Ability to write and oversee the production of reports and plans to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
* Capacity to offer support to children and families in a culturally sensitive and non‑judgmental way.
* Basic ICT skills including Word and Excel.
* Flexibility to change shift patterns as required.
* Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and policy (Children Act, etc.) and current guidance relating to work in Sure Start Children’s Centres.
* Knowledge of the range of factors which create stress for children and families.
* Commitment to continuous improvement and understanding of Leeds City Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
Experience
* Professional employment in work with young children and families.
* Experience of working in partnership with other agencies and parents/carers.
* Experience of working in a nursery environment and leading practice.
* Experience with Child Protection issues and professional placement support.
* Experience of planning and organising play experiences for children.
Benefits
* Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
* Clear career pathway and continuous professional development opportunities.
* Range of staff benefits to help boost wellbeing and financial resilience.
Equal Opportunities
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from women, carers, veterans, LGBT+, ethnic minorities, disabled and care experienced people. This role is based in the UK; candidates must evidence the right to work in the UK prior to employment. All Leeds City Council appointments are subject to a satisfactory completion of a six‑month probationary period.
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