Pen Green Centre for children and their families

Job Title: Early Years Assistant

Salary: Grade D £24,796

Hours: Permanent

Working pattern:  Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm,

Weeks per year: Term Time Only, 38 weeks

Contract: Fixed term to 31st August 2027

Location:  Kingswood Community Nursery

Closing date: Ongoing

Interview Date:  TBC

Level 3: Direct Contact Role

The majority of our staff work in roles that involve working directly with and providing support to children ‘in loco parentis’ e.g. Family Workers. They are front line staff who are most likely to encounter safeguarding concerns and will report any concerns to their Domain Lead, member of CLT, or Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Workers in these roles may work with children on child protection plans, and therefore may work collaboratively with Social Care colleagues following statutory safeguarding processes.

1. To work with individuals and groups of children both indoors and outdoors, providing safe, stimulating and appropriate learning and play experiences which promote children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual learning and development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum
2. To carry out observations and assessments, ensuring there are up to date and ongoing records for children in the setting, in consultation with other team members, which provide for children’s individual needs.
3. To support working with parents and children together, encouraging and involving parents/carers in children’s learning and other Children’s Centre activities.
4. To report any cause for concern regarding a child’s health or welfare to the designated senior member of staff responsible for Child Protection/Safeguarding Children.
5. To record any accidents to children and report these to a senior member of staff and parents, where appropriate.
6. Implement individual educational programmes for children with Special Educational Needs ensuring their full integration into the setting.
7. To plan and organise play activities that contribute to children’s learning environment.
8. To encourage good team working relationships attending regular team and staff meetings, training days, and sessions for parent interviews/consultations where appropriate.
9. To carry out home visits to children and their families, in consultation with other team members, as and when required.

The Job description reflects the main tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working the tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing family and departmental needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

Education

Essential

• Level 3 qualification in Nursery Education/ Childcare or equivalent (e.g. NNEB, BTEC in Caring Services,)
• GCSE English & Maths Grade C or above

Desirable

• Foundation Degree in Early Years
• Understanding of Parents Involvement In Their Children’s Learning (PICL)
• First Aid

Experience

• Working directly with children in a nursery/ nursery school or children’s centre setting
• Working alongside adults in a supportive role
• Working in a small team
• Working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and experience of putting this into practice

Ability and Skill

Essential

• Able to monitor and assess children’s learning and development needs
• Able to monitor and assess children’s and family needs
• Able to promote the safety and well being of young children
• Excellent communication skills and confident to communicate effectively with staff, parents, and partner agencies
• Ability to work responsively and flexibly to meet the needs of families and the organisation
• Fluent and accurate writing skills.
• Ability to contribute to children’s records and displays of their work
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work on own initiative with minimal direction, and show commitment to given tasks and responsibilities
• Commitment to undertake personal and professional development

Desirable

• Car Driver
• MIDAS Qualification
• IT Skills

Equal Opportunities

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate awareness and understanding of inclusion and diversity and other people’s behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs

Desirable

• Experience of children with additional needs and families in need.

Health & Safety

Able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the commitment to Health & Safety and a willingness to undertake training to enable implementation of procedures. Able to apply it effectively with children and their families and staff.

These are the main tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. The tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing family and departmental needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

Download the Application Form below.

Please email your completed application form to recruitmentpengreen@northnorthants.gov.uk 

For further information about the role please contact Lisa Wyatt on 01536 400068.

Closing date:  Ongoing

Interview Date:  TBC

Pen Green is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment vetting checks appropriate to the post, including an Enhanced DBS check.  Offers of employment will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory pre-employment vetting checks.

The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to all our safeguarding, welfare, and health and safety policies and procedures.

All pre-employment checks are in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance.