Job description:
The Aspire Training Team are currently recruiting for a punctual, reliable, and enthusiastic individual to join Cuddles Day Nursery as a Level 3 Childcare Apprentice, with vacancies at their Canford Heath and Parkstone Settings
As a privately run day nursery, we aim to provide a secure and loving environment in which your child can grow and develop to their maximum potential in every aspect of their early lives.
Cuddles believes in providing the best service possible. We always encourage feedback from both parents and staff because we recognise that this is the main way in which we can improve. We also set our day-to-day standards higher than necessary (not just when the inspectors come), and communication with parents has a major part to play in this. Transition through each area (babies, toddlers, pre-school and then finally the move to school) is handled sensitively and is carefully planned for each child.
The Nursery Practitioner is to work in partnership with the Team Leader and Nursery Manager to ensure high quality, education and care that meets the needs of the young children and their families ensuring compliance with all company policies, Health and Safety legislation, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and requirements as laid down by the Government – DfE and regulated by OFSTED.
Responsible to:
The Nursery Practitioner is responsible to the room Team Leader, Nursery Manager and the Managing Director of Cuddles Day Nursery.
The main responsibilities of the Nursery Practitioner are as follows:
1. To engage in high quality interactions with all children therefore ensuring good practice.
2. To ensure the calm, smooth running of the room, especially at lunchtimes
3. To act as a key person to a group of children, liaising closely with the parents / carers and ensuring that each child’s needs are recognised and met
4. To keep confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff which is gained as part of the role.
5. To plan, prepare and participate in a range of activities that promote each child’s physical, intellectual and emotional needs as well as the 7 areas of development as stated in the EYFS
6. To complete on-line Learning Journey’s every month.
7. Liaise with the Team Leader to organise and attend “settling” sessions for new key worker children.
8. To uphold Nursery Policies and Procedures
9. To be conversant with the emergency procedures relating to Health, Safety and Welfare procedures.
10. To be a reliable member of the team working co-operatively and with flexibility.
11. To ensure good team spirit.
12. To ensure that the highest standards of safety, security, hygiene and cleanliness are practiced at all times within own room and the Nursery
13. Record accidents and incidents and ensure that paperwork is completed in full including parent and staff signatures.
14. To communicate effectively to the Team Leader with any concerns for the children in your care and/or parental and staffing issues.
15. Maintain an open approach to children with specific needs, taking into consideration their personal development and requirements.
16. To liaise with SENCO, Behaviour Management and Safeguarding Designated Persons when appropriate.
17. Attend regular staff meetings, planning meetings and appropriate training sessions both during and after working hours where applicable.
18. Attend ALL out of work hours activities unless on holiday or absent due to ill health.
19. To carry out all secondary duties as listed by your Team Leader and Nursery Manager
20. To undertake any other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined from time to time by the Director, Nursery Manager or Team Leaders
Requirements;
21. Able to work in a flexible manner to suit the needs of the business
22. Good physical and mental health
23. Level 2 Childcare Qualification
24. GCSE Maths or equivalent in key skills (April 16)
25. GCSE English or equivalent in key skills (April 16)
26. Basic word processing
27. Paediatric First Aid
28. Basic Safeguarding Training
29. Food Hygiene certificate
30. A willingness to work towards providing excellence of service
Hours;
31. Cuddles Day Nursery is open from 07.45–18:00 Monday to Friday
32. The successful candidate will be required to work 38.5 hours per week with shift patterns to be discussed
Benefits;
33. Up to 40% staff childcare discount for all year around attendance or 20% discount for term time only children who pay a consumable fee if sessions are booked by the 15th of the previous month with the admin team (at the discretion of Director
34. Staff children free of charge when staff are on holiday and child is not coming in. See information for further details. Sickness is still chargeable
35. Staff who have been with the Company for 2 full years (Jan – Dec) get an extra days holiday per year – up to 8 extra days holiday, making 36 days inclusive of Bank Holidays.
36. Staff who have been with the Company for 1 full year and have no more than 3 occurrences in a current rolling year will be given their birthday off – or a day closest to their birthday. (This equates to 20% of your normal weekly working hours) After 5 full years this benefit will not be linked to absence
37. 4pm finish on Xmas Eve (depending which day it falls on)
38. Paid overtime to attend meetings and all relevant training outside normal working hours
39. Ofsted cash bonus and meal out if your setting gets ‘outstanding’
40. £250 incentive if you return from maternity leave and remain with the Company for 6 months.
41. £250 incentive if you return from paternity leave; paid at 15 months after the baby's birth
42. Recommend a friend – £250 if the recommendation is recruited, passes their probation and remains with the company for 6 months. Application to be made at the time of applicant applying
43. NVQ 3 incentive of £1000 when passing and certification has been given.
44. Free tea, coffee, hot chocolate, squash etc.
45. Fruit basket, sweet jar & biscuit tin in staff room
46. Bottle of wine & selection box at Christmas and Easter egg at Easter
47. Free annual eye-test if you drive Company vehicles or use a computer for most of your working day.
48. Other staff can join the medical plan at preferential rates at Level 1-3