Durham University
Early Years Nursery Practitioner
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The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
The Role and the Department
The nursery practitioner position is to work in an “outstanding” nursery with children aged 0-5years. We are a large setting split into four rooms, we have an excellent partnership with our families and are seeking someone with experience and enthusiasm to join our nursery team. The position is for a Nursery practitioner role and we are looking for candidates with experience of working with children aged 0-5 years
At Durham University Day Nursery we aim to provide high quality childcare in a safe secure and stimulating environment for children from 0 to 5. We aim to operate in partnership with parents, helping children to be happy, independent and well-adjusted emotionally and socially. Our Nursery aims to promote self-confidence and a positive attitude to learning in all children whatever their gender, ethnicity, home language, special educational needs, disability or ability. We aim to offer a broad, balanced and diverse curriculum where learning will be fun and will provide basic skills for the future. We recognise that every child is unique and aim to assist all children to attain their maximum development potential by paying attention to their individual needs. We aim to support students and staff of Durham University with parental responsibilities, in order that they can achieve their goals at study or at work. Please note that we also welcome non-Durham University staff/students.
The Nursery Practitioner has key responsibilities for ensuring the quality of early years provision is embedded under the EYFS and ensuring safeguarding is paramount.
- This post requires shift work: Monday to Friday, between 7:45am and 6:15pm.
- This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check.
- Plan and lead on engaging activities to provide and deliver a stimulating range of indoor and outdoor activities for children aged 0-5 years
- Maintaining accurate records of children’s progress and learning in line with the EYFS
- There will be a requirement to attend monthly meetings and training sessions on evenings and occasional weekends.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
- 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
- Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
- Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
- We offer generous pension schemes.
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Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.
As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
Submitting your application
PLEASE NOTE NO CV WILL BE ACCEPTED
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails
What you are required to submit:
- Separate Word document which outlines how you meet the criteria - this can be done in a table format
Contact details
Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Kim Roberts would be happy to speak to you. kim.roberts@durham.ac.uk 0191 3348153
What you need to demonstrate when you apply
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria:
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Qualifications/Experience
- NNEB or CACHE/NVQ Level 3 qualification in Childcare (or equivalent). If qualified after 2014 must hold a suitable level 2 English qualification
- Knowledge and experience of the EYFS Statutory framework for children aged 0-5 years old
- Knowledge/experience of safeguarding within Early Years
- Experience of working in team within a nursery environment for 0-5 year olds
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with working with children, colleagues, families and outside agencies.
- Good digital skills including experience in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system ie any online journals for recording children progress
- Evidence of relevant personal development/training to maintain skills in the early years sector
- Relevant administrative experience in a nursery environment for example writing reports for children development, observations, chronologies and keeping children records up to date
- Demonstrable ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of families, agencies and colleagues.
- Experience of working on the front line with service delivery, with parents and carers and outside agencies and the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.
- Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve straightforward issues.
- Ability to support children’s learning and delivery high standards of teaching and learning
Desirable Criteria
- GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) English Language and Mathematics
- Paediatric First Aid trained and certificate.
- Knowledge of the SEN Code of Practice.
- Safeguarding training level 2
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Contact details
Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Kim Roberts would be happy to speak to you. kim.roberts@durham.ac.uk 0191 3348153
Typical Role Requirements
Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.
Service Delivery
- Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
- Provide an excellent and timely service to your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role.
- Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve routine issues with things relevant to your role and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions.
- Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team.
- When carrying out your
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