Employment Status : Fixed Term for one year (due to initial set up of club and the need to prove financial viability, potential to become permanent)
Hours: Please indicate in application: 07:45 – 17:45; 07:45 – 13:00; 12:30 – 17:45.
Days: Mondays to Thursdays during school holiday periods (not currently opening Fridays, not opening Bank Holidays or every day over Christmas holidays – we open in partnership with Primary Sport and Education who operate on the school site during school holidays)
Why are we appointing?
The Beacon Pre-School is expanding to offer childcare in the school holidays. In the first instance, we will be open alongside our partners (Primary Sport and Education) who run a well-established, popular holiday club on site for children aged 5 to 12 years old during school holidays. The Beacon’s Pre-School will be open to children from age 2 to 4, including 4 year olds in their Reception year. This is because Primary Sport are only taking children from their 5th Birthday. The holiday provision will operate during all school holiday weeks, except Fridays, bank holidays and some additional days over the Christmas Holiday period. Both The Beacon’s Pre-School and Primary Sport run HAF clubs during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. In the first instance, the Pre-School is operating as a ‘bought’ childcare facility, in the longer term we aim to offer ‘funded’ pre-school all year round. The provision is open to children from 08:00 until 17:30. There will be an additional 15 minutes at the start and end of each day for staff to set up and clean up. We are seeking to cover the whole period each day, therefore would consider applications for either the full hours (07:45 – 17:45); the morning (07:45 – 13:00) or the afternoon (12:30 – 17:24). Part time positions will allow us to cater for lunchtime of full time staff. We would consider applications for a lunchtime cover of one hour 12:00 – 13:00 from Level 3 qualified staff. Both Primary Sport and The Beacon offer reduced cost places for staff of either club at 25% off.
Working at The Beacon
By taking a role at The Beacon, successful candidates will be joining a thriving, friendly and aspirational team. Our vision for ‘living life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10), applies to everyone and is apparent to staff through, for example, our nurturing care for the team, support of each other and respect for work:life balance. Successful candidates will have access to the school’s CPD providers and support from the experienced headteacher and governors.
The Beacon is ideally situated for an exciting Pre-School life. We have the use of a small allotment-type garden and the grounds at Holy Trinity Parish Church; we make regular use of Manor Gardens and the Beach, all of which are only a stone's throw from the school. During school holiday periods, we have the option of two locations with the school: our Pre-School room and outside space and our Reception classroom and outside space. Both have dedicated entrances and all amenities at hand.
As a Devon County Council employee, successful candidates' benefits would include flexible working opportunities, an excellent local government pension scheme, salary sacrifice scheme, learning and development opportunities, and 25 days annual leave rising to 30 after 5 years' service. This would be taken during the school holidays, to be discussed on appointment.
Job Purpose:
Governors are seeking a team of inspirational Early Years professionals to create a high quality, fun, nurturing learning environment for Early Years children during school holiday times. Successful candidates will have experience of working in the Early Years sector, inspire, enable, motivate and empower children to develop the characteristics of learning. They will foster and develop positive and successful relationships with parents and carers. They will develop their understanding of The Beacon’s vision for ‘living life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10) and foster the sense of our One Big Beacon Family through school holiday periods.
You will work under the guidance of the headteacher and senior staff, within an agreed system of supervision in the Pre-School (children aged 2 to 4, including 4 year olds in their reception year) during school holiday periods. The policies and practices during holiday periods are those of The Beacon Church of England (VA) Primary and Pre-School.
Employee benefits : Devon County Council employment, it pension & employee schemes; 25% discount in the pre-school for staff working on site at the site holiday clubs for their own children. Free childcare for children aged 5 and over at the Primary Sports club whilst you are working on site.
Please note that Devon County Council have not yet published the pay increase rates (April to April), employees receive back pay once the rates have been published.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
1. implement agreed range of activities with individuals/groups of children, either within or outside of the nursery/foundation stage unit
2. assist the Pre-School Leader in the whole observation, assessment and planning cycle
3. management/preparation of resources to support an enabling learning environment, both indoors and outdoors • supervise all children during the short term absence of teachers cover supervision)
4. generally assist children in undertaking both adult directed and child initiated activities, interacting with them to support their learning and development • Ensure school safeguarding policies and procedures are followed appropriately
5. Regularly contributing towards written observations of a child’s progress, whilst maintaining confidentiality at all times
6. Collating evidence to support a child’s progress towards learning outcomes
We are looking for someone who;
7. Is an excellent Early Years practitioner with leadership experience;
8. will make a significant contribution to the success of children’s wellbeing and learning;
9. communicates effectively with a range of audiences and understands the need for non-verbal communication at times;
10. works well in a team, is flexible, organised, works calmly under pressure and has a solution focused approach; • demonstrates high expectations of all children’s learning and behaviour;
11. has a proven experience in inspiring, enabling, motivating and empowering children to be independent in their learning;
12. will be involved in preparation, delivery, and assessment of learning and intervention for individuals and groups in classes where they are working;
13. commits to supporting and modelling our school's Vision to ‘live life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10);
14. is willing to fully engage in professional development;
15. knows they make a difference and will go the extra mile to make it happen.
The post holder must have a minimum of a level 2 EYFS qualification.
Visits to our school are possible, discussions with the Headteacher, Mrs Anne Billington, are also welcome.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This role requires a DBS disclosure.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Shortlisted candidates may be subject to online checks.
A job description, person specification and application form are available on our school website
Please return your completed application form to Mrs Anne Billington, via email to or post to The Beacon Church of England Primary School, 1 Beacon Place, Exmouth, Devon EX8 2SR.