Early Years Practitioner

Purpose of role

• To provide high quality and safe provision which promotes all aspects of development of the children who attend the Nursery School and Childcare.
• To promote the welfare of children and to support the school in safeguarding children through relevant policies and procedures.
• To ensure that the nursery is a safe environment for children, staff and others.
• To develop and maintain partnerships with parents/carers to share involvement in their child’s development.
• To work as part of a team to ensure the efficient and effective running of the Nursery School and Childcare.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To promote the health, safety and welfare of the children in the Nursery school at all times.
• To have an understanding of and be able to follow all relevant OFSTED and Nursery school policies and procedures.
• To demonstrate inclusive practice at all times.
• To assist with the meeting of all children’s health, safety and hygiene requirements.
• To interact positively and appropriately with the children at all times, in all environments and all weathers: being at their level, which may include working on the floor.
• To model positive social interaction and play and to provide exciting learning experiences.
• To work with and support NVQ trainees, students, casual staff and others.
• To attend and participate in all staff meetings called by the Childcare Manager and/or Headteacher including discussions on curriculum and the smooth running of the Nursery.
• To use initiative to ensure the smooth running of the learning taking place.

Curriculum Responsibilities

• To understand and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
• To value and encourage children in celebrations and activities from their own and other cultures.
• To use in the moment planning and support children’s individual interests.

SEND Responsibilities

• To communicate and liaise with the SENCo, to support children with SEND, implementing the Graduated response.
• To undertake training to ensure a secure understanding of early identification of SEND and how the implementation of the graduated response supports high aspirations for all children, working in partnership with parents.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

• To comply with all relevant standards of safety, security and hygiene, ensuring that knowledge of the standards are up to date.
• To care for, maintain and clean the nursery environment and play equipment, ensuring that communal areas such as toilets, kitchen and laundry are always clean and in order. This is a shared responsibility with all staff.
• To report maintenance issues, in accordance with the Nursery policy.

Professional Development Responsibilities

• To attend training courses as required, including all in-service training (inset) days.
• To take responsibility for ensuring own knowledge is up to date and relevant, i.e. keeping abreast of current educational practices and other relevant areas such as Health & Safety and Safeguarding Children.

Liaison Responsibilities

• To form good professional relationships with parents, volunteer helpers and visitors to the Nursery school and Childcare.
• To liaise with other agencies as appropriate maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• To build and maintain links with the local community.
• To work alongside governors involving them in the work of the Nursery.
• To be aware that the opportunity may arise to become a member of the Governing Body.

Gateway Criteria

• To demonstrate competence in practice against the NVQ level 3 mandatory unit criteria.
• To take responsibility for a key group of children.
• To use more developed communication skills to encourage and support social/positive behavioral development.
• To teach using in the moment appropriately for all children.
• To demonstrate the ability to interpret observations and convert to assessment of need.

Key Person Responsibilities

• Ensure children’s Tapestry profiles are up to date and accurate.
• To observe, assess and respond to children’s learning and needs.
• To teach in the moment and record teachable moments.
• To greet and communicate effectively with the child’s parents or carers on a daily basis.
• To produce children’s reports.
• To be aware of family needs, supporting, and offering advice; seeking extra support if necessary. To be involved in the planning and carrying out of home visits and child/parent induction and visits
• To plan and carry out meetings with parents to share information about their child’s progress.