Overview
What skills and experience we’re looking for
Up to 15 hours per week, Monday to Friday – Term time only – Start date: September 2025 (as soon as possible). After school club operates from 3.00pm – 6.00pm (3 hours per day).
We are looking for passionate and creative Play Assistants to join our school-run Wraparound Care Service. As a member of the Aftercare Team, you will gain valuable experience delivering a wide range of engaging and participative childcare activities; working with children from ages 4 – 12.
Our Play Assistants are passionate, enthusiastic and thrive in a highly rewarding role that facilitates children’s development throughout their time in Aftercare. This is a demanding but very rewarding role suited to someone with an interest in supporting children. Ideally you will have some relevant experience of working alongside children. You should be self-motivated, have good communication skills and be able to engage with children positively.
Responsibilities
* Plan and deliver safe activities with groups of children from all class ranges
* Engage with children encouraging them to participate in activities to promote learning and social development
* Support children on a 1:1 basis who have complex needs (if required)
* Encourage fair and caring behaviour among the children
* Support with managing behaviour in line with school policies
* Support the enactment of Health and Safety requirements as directed
* Encourage independence and self-esteem
* Ensure safety and safeguarding procedures are adhered to to keep children safe
* Assist with food preparation for serving afterschool tea/snacks
* Complete various training courses including Food Hygiene and Child Safeguarding
What the school offers its staff
You can download an application pack from the school’s website by navigating to About us > Come & Work for us.
You can request an application pack by email at sbm@thameside.reading.sch.uk or by calling 0118 937 5551.
Closing date: Sunday 21 September 2025, but interviews will be offered on receipt of strong applications.
The school is committed to safeguarding children and is an equal opportunity provider. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
* childcare disqualification
* Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
* medical
* online and social media prohibition from teaching
* right to work
* satisfactory references
* suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
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