Nursery Officer Little Owls Swarcliffe

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period.

Job Description

Job purpose

Under the general direction of the Manager and Senior staff, to work as part of the team to deliver a high standard of care which meets the individual needs of the children.

All staff are required to support the services main purpose of encouraging and enabling children to develop, behaviourally, educationally and emotionally. To create and maintain a customer focused attitude and approach at all times that promotes positive relationships and generates a culture of openness and trust. To deliver efficient, effective and quality services by way of flexible working. To work together with colleagues from other service areas and organisations to provide and maintain a safe secure and learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children in which they can prosper, develop and achieve. To foster, maintain and support pro-social behaviour, a restorative and solution focussed approach with, children, and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• To lead and provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
• To lead and provide a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum that will meet the requirements of relevant National and Local standards.
• To establish and deliver on Individual Education Programmes (IEP) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND).
• To observe and monitor children’s development and prepare written reports of their progress, to promote their wellbeing.
• To liaise with and provide professional advice to, parents/carers; and other professionals involved with the child.
• To maintain client confidentiality.
• To liaise with the local primary school teachers and prepare reports that will support the child’s transition into school.
• To report any injury or accident ensuring that the Health & Safety of the individual is maintained.
• To follow the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury, complying with Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (West Yorkshire Consortium Procedure Manual)
• To understand and operate the policies and procedures for the administration of medication including accurately recording and verifying drug sheets.
• To support student placements: to prepare and present accurate, concise reports on these to the Manager and/or college tutors.
• To support parents, carers and families in the successful admission and transition of their children.
• To organise and participate in interesting and appropriate educational visits for children and families, observing health and safety policies and making risk assessments.
• To take responsibility for the securing of the building and resources if required.
• To assist the management in providing professional support to parents and outside agencies on issues relating to child protection.
• To take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures such as child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures
• The council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post

Qualifications

To work in this role, you must hold a minimum of a relevant Level 3 qualification in Childcare. To check if your qualification is relevant for this position please go to:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-years-qualifications-finder

You must demonstrate good literacy and numeracy, through qualifications or a skills test completed at interview.

Person specification

Essential requirements: The candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities. We will use one or more methods to assess whether candidates meet the essential requirements, including application form, interview, test and certificate.

We will only shortlist candidates for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Skills Required

• Ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels
• Able to motivate children through positive role modelling and sustain their interest in play activities
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Ability to safeguard children and support them to develop their resilience
• Able to listen and follow instructions
• Able to effectively use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to lead planning and evaluation of activities to aid children’s learning.
• Able to write and oversee the production of reports and plans to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing, to the required standard.
• Able to offer support to children and families in a culturally sensitive, positive and non- judgemental way
• Able to work in partnership with parents and carers to support their children’s learning, development and wellbeing.