You will be joining a dedicated and supportive team of over 120 nursery professionals with many years of experience, in a warm and welcoming environment where you will be encouraged to develop and thrive.

Pre-appointment checks

In line with recommendations and regulations relating to Early Years safeguarding and recruitment, please note that for this role:

• The University will seek references from at least one referee prior to interview. Candidates must therefore provide at least one referee whom we can contact immediately. The remaining referees will usually only be contacted if you are offered appointment. Please indicate clearly on your application form which referee(s) we may contact prior to interview.
• Candidates invited to interview will be asked to disclose all past names, for the sole purpose of verifying identity for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and safeguarding checks. Candidates will be asked to bring documents to verify their identity (e.g. birth/adoption certificate and any evidence of name changes).
• All successful candidates will be required to undergo a DBS check covering all names used.

Role Summary

As a member of a thriving management team, you will be responsible for leading a small team of four staff, ensuring that quality care and education is provided for children in their designated group within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) play framework of Birth to Five. You will be integral to establishing and developing an effective networking system in partnership with parents/carers, aimed at ensuring a smooth transition from home to nursery.

Main Duties

• Ensure a safe, secure, stimulating and enriching environment for the children, where each child has access to a variety of opportunities and experiences aimed to promote individual development.
• Encourage the children to establish confidence, independence and positive self-esteem.
• Ensure the individual needs of each child are addressed and met. This will include supporting physical needs (e.g. food, drink, rest and health) as well as emotional needs.
• Establish positive relationships with the children by listening to them and valuing what they say and do, encouraging high expectations of what they can achieve.
• Ensure each child receives equal opportunities, experiences, support and guidance regardless of their racial origin, culture, beliefs, spoken languages, gender, social group and disability.
• Direct and support the team to complete child assessment profiles, ensuring they are maintained and stored appropriately.
• Coordinate the daily running of the group, taking into account children’s routines and parental wishes, ensuring staffing requirements are met accordingly through producing staff job charts.
• Greet parents/carers as they arrive (e.g. early morning) and depart (e.g. late evening), discussing with them any daily queries or concerns.
• Work in close partnership with parents/carers to establish an equal balance of care between home and nursery. Ensure acknowledgement of their parental role when offering support and guidance regarding their child’s welfare and care needs, including valuing their opinions.
• Show prospective parents/visitors around the premises.
• Lead a team of four staff to achieve and maintain high levels of care and education for the children in their designated group.
• Monitor individual staff performance and support their improvement where necessary.
• Guide staff in the application of new childcare initiatives.
• Devise and implement processes and procedures to alleviate problems, taking appropriate action where necessary. Consult with manager regarding more complex issues and escalate if required.
• Support and participate in annual policy reviews.
• Ensure working practices meet the national standards for full day care and the five outcome areas from Ofsted inspections.
• Ensure health and safety requirements are adhered to, including monitoring all daily risk assessment checklists and reporting all maintenance issues. Record all information on the appropriate documentation, filing accordingly as appropriate.
• Ensure all nursery policies and procedures (Ofsted and the University) are adhered to by the team. Advise and guide staff as appropriate with regards to all policies and procedures.
• Organise informal meetings when necessary and carry out 3 staff Nursery consultations.
• Actively engage in personal development, training sessions, team briefings and other meetings.
• Take responsibility for nursery operations in the absence of the Nursery Manager and/or Deputy Nursery Manager.
• Be friendly and approachable, maintaining a professional, positive and caring attitude at all times.
• Undertake other duties as required to support the management and development of the nursery.
• Support equality and value diversity, including: (a) challenging bias prejudice and intolerance if appropriate or bringing it to the attention of a manager; (b) moderating own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• BTEC/NVQ 3 in a relevant subject / NNEB qualification or equivalent is required.
• GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C or 4 or above or equivalent level 2 qualification
• Previous experience of working in a nursery setting
• Ability to positively manage staff, acting as a role model
• Knowledge and understanding of the EYFS Birth to Five framework
• Knowledge of developments in early years education
• Knowledge of legislation, regulations, inspection criteria and curriculum relevant to Early Years
• Understanding of how to ensure health and safety and hygiene in a childcare setting
• Understanding of and commitment to Child Protection procedures
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills
• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative
• Adaptable to allow for changes in demands/focus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to work within tight time scales and under pressure
• Understanding of what equality and diversity is and why it is important, with an ability to identify equality and diversity issues and either address these or bring them to the attention of a manager

DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries

To Heather Bench, email: h.a.bench@bham.ac.uk

View our staff values and behaviours here [https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/