Nursery Assistant (City & Holbeck) – Leeds City Council
Job title: Nursery Assistant
Salary: £25,185 - £25,989 pro rata
Hours: 20 hours (all year round) Monday to Friday 8:30am – 12:30pm
Contract: Permanent
Location: Little Owls City & Holbeck
Job Purpose
Under the general direction of the Manager and senior staff, the Nursery Assistant role is to work as part of a team to deliver a high standard of care which meets the individual needs of the children. This includes creating and maintaining a safe, secure, and learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children and supports their balanced development.
Responsibilities
* Provide high quality care and education for all children and support families.
* Deliver a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum meeting national and local standards.
* Establish and deliver Individual Educational Programmes (IEP) and Early Support Programmes for children with SEND.
* Observe and monitor children’s development and contribute to written reports of their progress.
* Maintain client confidentiality.
* Liaise with parents, social workers, health visitors, and local primary schools and prepare transition reports.
* Report any injury or accident; ensure health and safety of all children.
* Understand and operate policies for the administration of medication, including accurately recording drug sheets.
* Report suspicious or non‑accidental injury in line with safeguarding procedures.
* Support student placements: prepare and present accurate, concise reports to the manager and college tutors.
* Provide engaging educational visits for children and families, observe Health and Safety policies, and conduct risk assessments.
* Support parents and families in successful admission and transition of their children.
* Take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
* Participate in training and development activities to keep knowledge and skills up to date.
* Undertake any additional duties appropriate to the post.
* Comply with all Leeds City Council policies, procedures, and staff instructions, including Health and Safety.
* Actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s Equal Opportunities policies in an anti‑oppressive manner.
Qualifications
* Minimum Level 2 qualification in childcare (as defined by the Sector Skills Council for Childcare).
* Good standard of literacy and numeracy.
* Basic computer literacy.
Personal Specification – Skills
* Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
* Ability to safeguard children and support their resilience.
* Capable of motivating children through positive role‑modelling and sustaining interest in play.
* Team‑working skills.
* Ability to listen and accept instructions.
* Writing skills for reports and plans documenting children’s learning and wellbeing.
* Observation and monitoring of children’s development through EYFS.
* Working partner with parents and carers to support children’s learning.
* Supporting children and families in a culturally sensitive, positive, and non‑judgemental way.
* Supporting children with SEND in an inclusive setting.
* Conducting risk assessments.
* Using EYFS to plan and evaluate activities.
* Supervising students and apprentices.
* Using ICT (Word and Excel).
* Flexible approach to working hours and shift patterns.
* Working with staff at all levels, contributing to team cohesion and liaising with other professionals.
Personal Specification – Knowledge
* Minimum Level 2 qualification as defined above.
* GCSE Maths and English or equivalent; commitment to achieve within 2 years if not yet achieved.
* Relevant Paediatric First Aid or willingness to obtain within the first 3 months.
* Knowledge of legislation, policy and guidance relating to Sure Start, the 2004 Children Act, 2006 Childcare Act, Ofsted framework, EYFS, SEN Code of Practice, and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.
* Understanding of factors that affect children and families, including protective factors.
* Current knowledge of safeguarding practices and responsibilities.
* Knowledge of EYFS profile and learning principles.
Personal Specification – Experience
* Experience working with children and families.
* Experience in a nursery or childcare environment.
* Experience of teamwork.
* Experience planning and organising play experiences.
Personal Specification – Behavioural and Other Characteristics
* Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values, behaviours, and codes of conduct.
* Committed to continuous improvement, delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
* Ability to understand and observe equality and diversity policies.
* Carry out duties respecting Health and Safety Policies.
* Willingness to participate in training and development.
* Flexible and adaptable to change and support other services.
* Participation in appraisal, training, and development activities.
* Aware of and comply with council policies and procedures.
* Support equality for all, working in an anti‑discriminatory manner and upholding equality and diversity.
* Recognise and challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and abuse, reporting concerns appropriately.
What We Offer
* A competitive salary and annual leave plus statutory holidays.
* Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
* A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
* A range of staff benefits to support wellbeing and financial well‑being.
How to Apply
Apply for this job online. Ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. For queries or an informal chat about the role, contact Andrea Smith, Children and Family Service – Tel: 0113 378 4516 Email: andrea.smith@leeds.gov.uk
Disclosures and Policies
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. 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+, ethnically diverse, disabled, and care‑experienced people.
Applications received are assessed for shortlisting every two weeks. We hold interview panels regularly to fill ongoing vacancies in our nurseries. Successful applicants will be employed by Leeds City Council and may be assigned to any of the city‑wide Little Owls nurseries.
This role is based in the UK. Candidates must evidence the right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider eligibility for sponsorship.
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