Job summary
ABACUS NURSERY
CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER
Abacus Nursery provides day care
for children aged from 3 months through to 5 years. The ability to work as part
of a team and a commitment to providing high quality childcare is essential.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for motivated, enthusiastic, reliable and adaptable Childcare Practitioners to come and join our team. Previous experience of working with pre-school children is essential. Please see attached job description for full responsiliites of the role.
For further information or an informal visit, please contact Samantha Orange, Nursery Manager, Abacus Nursery on 01924 543039.
About us
We provide care and support to over a million people in
Wakefield and Kirklees in their homes, community settings and across our
three hospital sites at Pontefract, Dewsbury and Pinderfields (Wakefield).
Always striving for excellence, we are at the forefront of
innovation and research, and we invest in teaching and the development of our
workforce.
We live by our values of caring, improving, being respectful
and maintaining high standards. We listen and learn because we aim to make Mid
Yorkshire the best place to work and receive care.
We value diversity and welcome talent and enthusiasm
irrespective of age, disability, neurodivergence, sex, gender identity and
gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation,
or other personal circumstances including providing unpaid carers support to
someone with a health and care need. As ethnic minority groups, members of the
LGBTQ+ community, and people with a disability/neurodivergence are currently
under-represented across the organisation, we encourage applications from
members of these groups. We have policies and procedures to ensure all
applicants are treated fairly and consistently.
We are proud of our staff networks - who offer valuable
guidance and feedback from those with lived experience.
We have a clear vision and you could be part of this! If
you share our values and you want to make a difference to the lives of our
patients and their families and carers, we would love to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
2. Key Responsibilities
- To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
- To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the childrens cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
- To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
- Day to day safety and security of the nursery in the absence of Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
- Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted
- Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the children's welfare, development and health and social care.
- As a childs key person ensure effective communication links with team members and other professionals for example Area Senco, Health Visitor, Child Protection Nurse, Therapist, and Educational Specialist.
- Work closely with colleagues and the Nursery Manager to ensure the high quality standards are maintained. This will be done on a daily basis and through monthly staff meetings, quality improvement meetings and team meetings.
- To be responsible for the entire childs personal care during the nursery day including feeding, changing nappies, or soiled clothing, special dietary requirement, sterilization of feeding, and play equipment.
- The post holder will ensure the proper use of the Trusts resources such as stationery, telephone usage, photocopying and other consumables in the course of business, ensuring minimal waste and minimal cost.
- To maintain the confidentiality of the Trust in respect of patient and staff information obtained at all times, and use such information only as authorised for specific purposes. Report any concerns about the use of such information to the senior manager.
- The post-holder is responsible for taking reasonable care with regard to himself/herself as well as for any colleagues, patients or visitors who might be affected by any act or failure to act by the post-holder in accordance with the Trusts policies on Health and Safety at Work.
- To report any accident, untoward incident or loss relating to staff, patients or visitors according to Trust policies.
- To undertake in-service training relevant to the post.
- Comply with Trust Policies and Procedures.
- The post holder will be required to undertake training events at any site across the trust
- The post holder may be required to work on other wards/ department within the Trust at short notice to cover unplanned sickness or to cover planned sickness or annual leave on other departments
- The post holder will be required to undertake mandatory training and is responsible for keeping this training up to date
- The post holder will have an appraisal of performance each year and will be responsible for agreeing a development plan in line with the Trusts (KSF) Knowledge & Skill Framework, in agreement with their manager or immediate supervisor. The development plan will be reviewed each year
- The Trust will provide assistance and agreed development to enable the post holder to achieve their objectives and standards in line with the development plan
- If the post holder feels he/she is not achieving their objective as agreed in the development plan they will bring it to the attention of their supervisor or manager at the earliest opportunity
- Work in accordance with Health and Safety regulations at all time
- Report any incidents of breaches of Health and Safety and report any dangerous acts or omissions that are seen in the course of duty that compromise the Health and Safety of staff or patients using the Trust Health and Safety policy
- Comply with audit recommendations and risk assessment recommendations to make the workplace and work practice safer
- Assist when required to do so, in any risk assessment activity undertaken.
- To be aware of health and safety legislation and have sound knowledge of particular areas which relate to working with children.
- To ensure you report any incident, or situation that could be considered dangerous to the Nursery Manager or in her absence Deputy Nursery Manager who will then take the necessary course of action.
- To ensure the physical and emotional well being of the children, responding appropriately to accidents or incidents, administrating first aid, reporting them to the Nursery Manager or in her absence Deputy Nursery Manager and complete relevant documentation
- To administer first aid as appropriate.
- Responsible for the care and standard of equipment and the environment.
- To ensure you lift and maneouvre children and equipment in accordance with the manual handling regulations.
- To participate in serving attractive nutritious meals to the children, ensuring all food safety procedures are followed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
2. Key Responsibilities
- To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
- To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the childrens cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
- To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
- Day to day safety and security of the nursery in the absence of Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
- Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted
- Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the children's welfare, development and health and social care.
- As a childs key person ensure effective communication links with team members and other professionals for example Area Senco, Health Visitor, Child Protection Nurse, Therapist, and Educational Specialist.
- Work closely with colleagues and the Nursery Manager to ensure the high quality standards are maintained. This will be done on a daily basis and through monthly staff meetings, quality improvement meetings and team meetings.
- To be responsible for the entire childs personal care during the nursery day including feeding, changing nappies, or soiled clothing, special dietary requirement, sterilization of feeding, and play equipment.
- The post holder will ensure the proper use of the Trusts resources such as stationery, telephone usage, photocopying and other consumables in the course of business, ensuring minimal waste and minimal cost.
- To maintain the confidentiality of the Trust in respect of patient and staff information obtained at all times, and use such information only as authorised for specific purposes. Report any concerns about the use of such information to the senior manager.
- The post-holder is responsible for taking reasonable care with regard to himself/herself as well as for any colleagues, patients or visitors who might be affected by any act or failure to act by the post-holder in accordance with the Trusts policies on Health and Safety at Work.
- To report any accident, untoward incident or loss relating to staff, patients or visitors according to Trust policies.
- To undertake in-service training relevant to the post.
- Comply with Trust Policies and Procedures.
- The post holder will be required to undertake training events at any site across the trust
- The post holder may be required to work on other wards/ department within the Trust at short notice to cover unplanned sickness or to cover planned sickness or annual leave on other departments
- The post holder will be required to undertake mandatory training and is responsible for keeping this training up to date
- The post holder will have an appraisal of performance each year and will be responsible for agreeing a development plan in line with the Trusts (KSF) Knowledge & Skill Framework, in agreement with their manager or immediate supervisor. The development plan will be reviewed each year
- The Trust will provide assistance and agreed development to enable the post holder to achieve their objectives and standards in line with the development plan
- If the post holder feels he/she is not achieving their objective as agreed in the development plan they will bring it to the attention of their supervisor or manager at the earliest opportunity
- Work in accordance with Health and Safety regulations at all time
- Report any incidents of breaches of Health and Safety and report any dangerous acts or omissions that are seen in the course of duty that compromise the Health and Safety of staff or patients using the Trust Health and Safety policy
- Comply with audit recommendations and risk assessment recommendations to make the workplace and work practice safer
- Assist when required to do so, in any risk assessment activity undertaken.
- To be aware of health and safety legislation and have sound knowledge of particular areas which relate to working with children.
- To ensure you report any incident, or situation that could be considered dangerous to the Nursery Manager or in her absence Deputy Nursery Manager who will then take the necessary course of action.
- To ensure the physical and emotional well being of the children, responding appropriately to accidents or incidents, administrating first aid, reporting them to the Nursery Manager or in her absence Deputy Nursery Manager and complete relevant documentation
- To administer first aid as appropriate.
- Responsible for the care and standard of equipment and the environment.
- To ensure you lift and maneouvre children and equipment in accordance with the manual handling regulations.
- To participate in serving attractive nutritious meals to the children, ensuring all food safety procedures are followed.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post qualifying work experience with under 5s
Desirable
- Experience of working with a tablet/PC observation and assessment record system
- Experience of working with children with Special Educational Needs
- Experience of working in a group setting
Qualifications
Essential
- English and Maths GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent
- Level 3 in Childcare Qualification
- Paediatric First Aid
- Food Safety Certificate Level 2
Desirable
- Early Years Foundation Stage Certificate
- Early Years Teachers Status
Other
Essential
- Adaptable and flexible according to the demands of the service and work shift rotas
- Understanding of need to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to lift and manoeuvre children throughout the nurserys daily routine
- Maintain a safe working environment for self and others
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Ability to use a computer based childrens observation and assessment recording system.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with children and adults
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships
- Good time management skills including ability to work to set deadlines
Personal Attributes
Essential
- The ability to maintain and enhance own skills and knowledge
- To be enthusiastic, creative, caring and friendly
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Post qualifying work experience with under 5s
Desirable
- Experience of working with a tablet/PC observation and assessment record system
- Experience of working with children with Special Educational Needs
- Experience of working in a group setting
Qualifications
Essential
- English and Maths GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent
- Level 3 in Childcare Qualification
- Paediatric First Aid
- Food Safety Certificate Level 2
Desirable
- Early Years Foundation Stage Certificate
- Early Years Teachers Status
Other
Essential
- Adaptable and flexible according to the demands of the service and work shift rotas
- Understanding of need to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to lift and manoeuvre children throughout the nurserys daily routine
- Maintain a safe working environment for self and others
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Ability to use a computer based childrens observation and assessment recording system.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with children and adults
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships
- Good time management skills including ability to work to set deadlines
Personal Attributes
Essential
- The ability to maintain and enhance own skills and knowledge
- To be enthusiastic, creative, caring and friendly
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
