Hours: Vacancy One: 37 hours (all year round) – working on an 8am to 6pm shift pattern
Contract: Permanent
Are you interested in a career in childcare? Little Owls nurseries are currently recruiting for nursery assistants.
Little Owls is a great place to progress in your childcare career and many of our nursery assistants move on to become managers. We support staff to learn and progress by offering regular training.
We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About the role
As a nursery assistant based in one of our Little Owls nurseries you will be part of a great team and will deliver a high standard of care which meets the individual needs of the children. It is rewarding work, as well as energetic and at times challenging.
You will:
* Provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families
* Observe and monitor children’s development and contribute to reports of their progress
* Liaise with and provide professional advice to parents, social workers and health visitors
About you:
We are looking for qualified, enthusiastic, adaptable candidates with personal qualities to care for and develop young children. You must have:
* excellent communication and listening skills
* ability to safeguard and motivate children and sustain their interest in play activities
* ability to write reports and plans to document children’s learning, development and wellbeing to the required standard
We expect the following experience and qualifications:
* minimum of level 2 qualification in childcare.
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact: Andrea Smith, Children and Family Service – Tel: 0113 3784516 Email: andrea.smith@leeds.gov.uk
Applications received are assessed for shortlisting every two weeks. We hold interview panels regularly to fill ongoing vacancies in our nurseries.
Please be aware that successful applicants will be employed by LCC and not a particular centre and could be asked to work at any of the city wide Little Owls Nurseries.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve.
Job Description
Job purpose
Under the general direction of the Manager and senior staff, the Nursery Assistant role is to work as part of a team to deliver a high standard of care which meets the individual needs of the children. To make and maintain positive relationships with the children and to safely meet the physical care and management needs of 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.
Responsibilities
* To provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
* To observe and monitor children’s development and contribute to written reports of their progress.
* To maintain client confidentiality.
* To liaise with and provide professional advice to, parents, social workers and health visitors involved with a child and their family.
* To report any injury or accident, ensuring that health and safety of the individual is maintained.
* To understand and operate the policies and procedures for the administration of medication including accurately recording and verifying drug sheets.
* To report any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury to follow and comply with Departmental Child Protection Procedures.
* To support student placements: to help prepare and present accurate, concise reports on these to the Manager and/or college tutors.
* To participate in and provide training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
* To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Service.
* To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions.
* To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities.
* 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
It is an essential requirement of this post that the post holder should hold a minimum of a relevant Level 2 qualification as defined by the Sector Skills Council for Childcare.
Essential requirements
* Able to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
* Ability to safeguard children and support them to develop their resilience.
* Able to motivate children through positive role modelling and sustain their interest in play activities.
* Able to work as part of a team.
* Able to listen and accept instructions.
* Able to write reports and plans to document children’s learning, development and wellbeing, to the required standard.
* Able to observe, record and monitor children’s development as they progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
* Able to work in partnership with parents and carers to support their children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
* Able to support children and families in a culturally sensitive, positive and non-judgemental way.
* Able to support the development of children with special educational needs and disabilities in an inclusive setting.
* Able to effectively use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to plan and evaluate activities to aid children’s learning.
* Able to supervise students and apprentices.
* Able to use ICT packages, including Word and Excel.
* A flexible approach to working hours with the ability to change shift patterns as required.
* A minimum of a relevant Level 2 qualification as defined in ‘Qualifications’ section above.
* GCSE Maths and English or equivalent as recognised by CWDC.
* Knowledge and understanding of current legislation, policy and guidance relating to the work of Sure Start Children’s Centres.
* Experience of working with children and/or families.
* Experience of work in a nursery or childcare environment.
* Experience of teamwork.
* Experience of planning and organising play experiences for children.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas.
* Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
* Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
* Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
* Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
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