Job Title: Lead Early Years Practitioner
Location: Holy Corner Community Playgroup, Edinburgh, EH10 4DD
Wage: £13.17 per hour, reviewed in line within regular organisational pay reviews
Hours: Base hours for the position are 21.5hrs per week with the requirement to attend meetings and other duties in addition to this. See below for more details.
Reporting to: Playgroup Manager
HOLY CORNER COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP
At Holy Corner Community Playgroup our values are Community and Play and our Vision is to meet the challenges of a changing world. We aim to provide a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment which is caring and responsive to our children as well as their parents and carers, and to continue to provide a valued space for our community where families can bring their young children to play, as they have done for over 50 years.
We have been providing drop-off childcare for up to 24 children aged between 2 and 5 years and up to a maximum of 20 attend morning sessions Monday to Friday. The Playgroup is managed by an elected parent committee who work collaboratively with the Early Years Practitioner team to provide a high-quality space for children to play, experience life outside the home, and make friends. Children follow their interests in an environment that is creative, challenging, safe and varied. We are committed to up-to-date concepts of childhood, children’s rights and the value of play. The Playgroup employs a Manager, Early Years Practitioners, Playworker, and a Business Development Manager. Staff members are accountable to the Management Committee through the Manager.
The Playgroup is registered with the Scottish Care Inspectorate (Care Inspectorate, ) and is a Partner Provider with City of Edinburgh Council, and a member of Early Years Scotland. We offer a wide variety of activities in a child-led approach in line with the national guidance 'Realising the Ambition' and a child-led curriculum with reference to the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Lead Practitioner’s overall responsibility is to supervise front-line provision, working with families and Practitioners to create a positive space for children’s health, well-being and learning in a free play, child-led environment, with observations of children's needs in order to meet them responsively.
HOURS OF WORK
Playgroup welcomes the children from 8.55am to 12.20pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.55am to 11.35am on a Friday, following the school academic calendar. For practitioners, there is set up and pack down time and weekly meetings. There are occasional events to attend as well as in service days in line with the school calendar.
Contract hours per week 21.5 (Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 1pm, Friday 8.30am to 12 noon). In addition, regular meetings during term-time on weekly basis: Monday (1-2pm) and Wednesday (1-2.15pm) after session. Plus, monthly meeting for planning (2-3.15pm).
Additional times include staff termly rota for: Monday morning start time of 8.15am (2 practitioners), weekly snack shopping (1 hour, 1 practitioner), and a termly progress meeting (2 hours, all staff to attend on site). Hours of work during term include in-service days in line with the school calendar.
Due to the nature of part-time hours of Playgroup contracts, there will be out of hours communications for staff which may be time-bound and essential. The changing nature of the community events may mean there are events which staff are occasionally requested to attend.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Main Duties
1. Supervising the delivery of front-line support to children aged 2 to 5 years in play and learning in line with Playgroup’s values, policies and protocols
2. Designated Member of Staff for Child Protection, First Aid, Additional Support for Learning and Medication in the absence of the Playgroup Manager
3. Responding to children’s interests with resources, conversation and activities and planning approaches
4. Providing individualised nurture and care to young children, including emotional comfort and intimate care
5. Promoting the rights and interests of the children and families who make up the Playgroup
6. Holding the post of Key Person for a small group of children, becoming aware of their individual circumstances and interests and recording these in their Personal Plans
7. Communicating and planning as a team and facilitating planning processes to support staff and children. Planning should take account of children’s interests, communities, and national guidance on Early Learning and Care
8. Developing and maintaining the skills required for the post. Including ongoing self-assessment, contributing to the self-assessment taking place across the Playgroup, and updating SSSC membership with required training
9. Support induction and training of new staff and volunteers
10. Setting up and clearing away the resources on a daily basis, in line with responsive planning, learning focus, and professional reflection
11. Keeping the Playgroup clean and fit for purpose
Secondary Duties
12. Communicating with the Playgroup stakeholders for example parents and carers, children and the Church staff.
13. Working with the Playgroup Manager to ensure that policies are kept up to date, communicated and adhered to
14. Bringing extra skills into the Playgroup and making them available to the children
15. Represent Holy Corner at sector meetings such as the Boroughmuir Learning Community meetings when required
Additional Requirements
16. Implement health and safety guidelines
17. Support and encourage children with their self-help skills
18. Administer prescribed medication according to the authorities guidelines on the Administration of Medicines
19. Follow Child Protection procedures
20. Assist with children’s snack time adhering to hygiene practices and following allergy prevention measures
21. Comply with standards set by the Care Inspectorate
22. Support children to adopt good hygiene practices at all times
PERSONAL ATTITUDE
You should be:
23. Proactive and self-motivated in leadership of a team
24. Child-centred and have a progressive, positive view of children
25. Willing to sing, accept play invitations, and be playful when the moment arises
26. Patient, courteous and respectful to all
27. Value children's rights
28. Able to articulate your professional position on ethical and political issues surrounding children
29. Able to talk about your practice, the role of the adult in a play environment and your CPD
30. Aware of your own health needs and physical fitness and seek support where needed
31. Aware of the varying uses and potential of ELC resources, and be excited to experiment with them in order to create high quality experiences for the children
SKILLS REQUIRED
Documentation:
32. You are required to have, or be working towards, a practice qualification of either an SVQ Social Services (Children and Young People), SCQF Level 7, or a HNC in Childhood Practice
33. Registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) within the first 6 months
34. Successful PVG must be gained before starting in the role
35. Professional references are essential
Essential:
36. Proven experience working with children aged 2-5 years old
37. Sound knowledge of child development and early childhood education
38. Ability to identify quality provision in line with legislation, national guidance and theory
39. Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills
40. Ability to work in partnership with colleagues and families and maintain confidentiality
41. Ability to identify strengths and challenges in the team and contribute to a positive ethos
42. Ability to work independently and in a team within a childcare setting
43. Organisational and planning skills
44. Ability to be flexible
45. IT and administration skill
Please apply for an application pack by emailing .
Deadline for applications is Nov 7th .
Interviews week of Nov 10th .
Start date: As soon as PVG is cleared and references confirmed.