Nursery Practitioner

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner
Location: YMCA Carters Green Day Nursery, West Bromwich, B70 9LG
Responsible to: Senior Nursery Manager and Deputy Nursery Manager
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, but part time may be considered at interview stage
Pay Rate: £12.36 per hour

Background:
YMCA Black Country Group is a group of YMCA charitable companies & associated trading subsidiaries (the Association) operating in the Black Country and South Staffordshire area. The charity employs around 200 staff across several sites, delivering a wide range of community services including support & advice, accommodation, family work, health & well-being, training & education.
YMCA enables people to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Inspired by, and faithful to, our Christian values, we create supportive, inclusive and energizing communities, where young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.

Job Role:

• Motivated by the desire to help children develop, you will be part of a team providing high quality care for children from birth to 5 years.
• The post holder will provide a warm and welcoming environment within the Nursery where young children and their families can feel valued and obtain positive help and support.
• Responsibility towards the promotion and practice of safeguarding the welfare of children that you come into contact with.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• To offer support and guidance to parents/carers enabling them to extend their own skills, and by boosting their confidence and self-esteem, ensure the emotional wellbeing of their child.
• To share responsibility for the display and maintenance of a safe, stimulating, interactive, learning environment in the Nursery.
• To work within the guidelines of the EYFS and assist in the planning, preparation and delivery of an effective programme of activities to help babies and young children to develop.
• To provide stimulating learning experiences enabling young children to grow in confidence and independence.
• To share responsibility for the observation, assessment, monitoring and record keeping of children's learning and development using a variety of methods.
• To record these observations and produce individual profiles for each child in your care.
• To share responsibility for providing full access to an effective programme of activities for children identified as requiring additional support.
• To participate in staff meetings.
• To provide cover for practitioners within the team as necessary.
• To work in partnership with other professionals involved with the children and their families, i.e. health visitors, Children's centres, speech therapists.
• To assist with the supervision and training of students.
• To care for sick children and those suffering minor injury.
• To be familiar with the fire drill and procedures for the safety of the children.
• To assist with checking equipment for safety and suitability to use and preparing resources as appropriate.
• Responsible for ensuring the room is cleaned at the end of each day.
• To assist in the identification of child protection issues.
• To access personal and curriculum development opportunities.
• To undertake duties in such a way that ensures a positive multi-cultural approval and with full regard for the principles and policies in place at the YMCA and comply with the Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy and Child Protection Procedures within the organisation.
• Operate within YMCA policies and procedures, strictly observing Health & Safety regulations of colleagues, parents/carers and yourself and the Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy.
• Operate within Nursery policies and procedures.
• Ensure all work practice is inclusive, expressed through a wholehearted commitment to welcome those of all faiths and none.
• Undertake any other related duties that are consistent with the job.

Person Specification
Nursery Practitioner
Qualification
Essential

• Childcare qualification Level 3 NVQ, equivalent, or higher

Experience

• Experience of working in a culturally diverse area and a commitment to equal opportunities in the workplace which creates a welcoming environment for people of all faiths and of none.

Skills

• Knowledge of Ofsted Standards.
• Knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Able to speak two or more local community languages.
• Motivation to work with children.
• Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children.
• Emotional resilience to work with children who need support with managing their behaviour.

General

• Ability to travel between sites when required.
• Current first aid qualification.
• All staff are expected to demonstrate a commitment to our values and ethos, and British Values.

THE POST HOLDER MUST AGREE TO AUTHORISE AN ENHANCED DBS CHECK. THEY MUST ALSO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF OFSTED.