Description Qualification: Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Contract length: 15 Months About Camden Camden is building somewhere everyone can thrive, by making our borough the best place to live, work, study, and visit. Because we’re not just home to UK’s fast-growing economy. We’re home to the most important conversations happening today. And we’re making radical social change a reality, so that nobody gets left behind. Here’s where you can help decide a better future for us all. Camden is delivering the Family Hub and Start for Life programme, building on the strong offer of universal and targeted support for families with children 0-19 years (or 25 years with SEND), delivered by the council and partners. The Integrated Early Years’ Service aims to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes for children and their mothers, fathers and carers. Our service vision is that “Every child has the best start in life, high quality early education and ready for school at age 5”. We provide a place in communities for families to meet and support each other and a range of prevention and early intervention services and activities from pregnancy to age 5 years, with a focus of on the first 1001 days. Our nursery provision supports children’s learning and contributes to narrowing the gap in attainment between disadvantaged children and their more affluent peers. Our nurseries deliver high quality early years experiences to support children’s learning and to improve their future life chances. About the role We have exciting opportunities for an Early Years Practitioner Apprentice to join our well-established team providing high quality early years provision in our outstanding and good settings across the borough. We are looking for enthusiastic, creative individuals who can enhance our teams to raise levels of attainment for all children in Camden. This is an Apprenticeship Pathway opportunity. On completion of the 15-month apprenticeship, subject to meeting minimum requirements and satisfactory skills development. The post holder will have the chance to progress onto Early Years Practitioner post at Camden Council and eventually provide cover to other nurseries across the borough as and when required, often at short notice. Work Environment The work environment is busy, and the post holder needs to adapt to frequently changing demands, including being able to work the shift patterns required between 8am and 6pm and covering at another one of our maintained nurseries as required. The work environment includes working both the indoor and outdoor learning environment. The post holder may be required to work outside of normal hours on occasion, with due notice. Duties You will learn how to provide support for the high-quality integrated day care and early education to children from birth to 5 years within a multi-disciplinary team and in line with and exceeding the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Learn how to develop the skills needed to the plan, implement and evaluate a high-quality early year’s curriculum which includes a full commitment to anti-discriminatory practice. This will include working in support of daily, weekly, and termly planning to meet individual children's needs and interests and sometimes contributing to record keeping that tracks the development of the individual child. Learn how to promote children’s development within a secure, safe and stimulating environment, and with reference to good practice curriculum guidance appropriate to the ages and stages of development of the children. Learn how to assist in the assessment of children’s overall development, for example feeding back observations and contributing to developmental records to a high standard. Learn how to effectively manage the behaviour of the children in line with procedural guidance and to support planned interventions for children with SEND and additional needs. Learn how to provide supportive appropriate physical care, in areas of washing, toileting, changing, feeding, dressing, comforting, and administering medication. After training the post holder will be required to help with first aid provision, comforting sick or injured children. In emergency situations the post holder will need to liaise with the designated first-aider, senior staff and medical professionals, Any basic medical procedures that may need to be carried out will have training provided. Learn how to identify and work with due regard to Child Protection procedures and to report matters of concern to the Head or Designated safeguarding lead. To assist in organising outings for children’s interest, education and enjoyment and with regard to safety. To regularly check the suitability and safety of play equipment and to work with due regard to the health and safety of the children, colleagues and all service users. To assist with the wider developments of the centre as a community resource, including participation in drop-ins and toy library services, parent education and family support initiatives. Commitment to working towards the Level 2 Early years Practitioner apprenticeship Standard Relationships Reports to the Senior Early Years Educator, Nursery Cass Teacher the Deputy head/SENCO and the Head of Nursery. Liaises daily with the whole staff team to check children’s individual needs including allergens. Create meaningful, sensitive relationships with all children. Work closely with Mothers, Fathers and Carers. Other professionals working with children, including Family Support Services, Health, Family Support and Social Workers SEN Advisors, the Quality Development Lead and senior managers. Members of the public, local schools and community groups Essential criteria Willingness to learn about the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and child development for children aged from birth to 5 years and a keenness to learn about the curriculum guidance for this age group. To have a good level of spoken and written English to be ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. Willingness to learn how to plan, implement, and evaluate an early year’s curriculum. To have some knowledge of the ethnic, religious, and cultural diversities in the community, to understand the effects on the provision of services and how to respond when the needs of a particular group are not being met. To have some knowledge of the functions of agencies involved in the provision of care and education of young children and commitment to work in partnership. An ability to effectively be able to manage children’s behaviour within a group setting. To have the ability to use information technology systems and equipment. To understand the importance of confidentiality and to be able to listen and respond appropriately with tact and diplomacy in sensitive situations. To have some understanding of child protection procedures and an ability to use this knowledge in practice. Willing to learn new skills and participate in training and working towards an apprenticeship qualification. Additional information Diversity & Inclusion We want Camden Council to be a great place to work and to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and those of Other Ethnicities, LGBT, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equalities and justice remains at the heart of everything we do. Click Diversity and Inclusion for more information on our commitment. Asking for Adjustments Camden is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please contact us on 020 7974 8778, at apprenticeshipscamden.gov.uk or post to 5 Pancras Square, London, N1C 4AG