Early Years Nursery Practitioner

The nursery practitioner position is to work in an 'outstanding' nursery with children aged 0-5 years. We are a large setting split into four rooms, we have an excellent partnership with our families and are seeking someone with experience and enthusiasm to join our nursery team.

At Durham University Day Nursery we aim to provide high quality childcare in a safe secure and stimulating environment for children from 0 to 5. We aim to operate in partnership with parents, helping children to be happy, independent and well-adjusted emotionally and socially. Our Nursery aims to promote self-confidence and a positive attitude to learning in all children whatever their gender, ethnicity, home language, special educational needs, disability or ability. We aim to offer a broad, balanced and diverse curriculum where learning will be fun and will provide basic skills for the future. We recognise that every child is unique and aim to assist all children to attain their maximum development potential by paying attention to their individual needs.

The Nursery Practitioner has key responsibilities for ensuring the quality of early years provision is embedded under the EYFS and ensuring safeguarding is paramount.

Key Responsibilities:
- Plan and lead on engaging activities to provide and deliver a stimulating range of indoor and outdoor activities for children aged 0-5 years
- Maintaining accurate records of children's progress and learning in line with the EYFS
- Follow EYFS Statutory Framework at all times ensuring a high quality curriculum is delivered with a balance of both child initiated and adult led activities
- Contribute to OFSTED inspections and have an understanding of the OFSTED requirements
- Safeguard children ensuring policies and procedures are followed and adhered to at all times
- Maintain a safe and secure working environment in line with University Health and Safety procedures
- Report any maintenance defects, accidents and near misses to the Line Manager
- Ensure all relevant paperwork required is completed and daily risk assessments are completed
- Support and explain systems and procedures to new starters and provide advice and guidance when required
- Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events
- Provide guidance to parents around the EYFS with the use of and access to resources and equipment
- Attend monthly meetings and training sessions on evenings and occasional weekends

This post requires shift work: Monday to Friday, between 7:45am and 6:15pm. This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check.

Essential Criteria — Qualifications/Experience:
1. NNEB or CACHE/NVQ Level 3 qualification in Childcare (or equivalent). If qualified after 2014 must hold a suitable level 2 English qualification
2. Knowledge and experience of the EYFS Statutory framework for children aged 0-5 years old
3. Knowledge/experience of safeguarding within Early Years
4. Experience of working in a team within a nursery environment for 0-5 year olds

Essential Criteria — Skills/Abilities/Knowledge:
1. Excellent oral and written communication skills with working with children, colleagues, families and outside agencies
2. Good digital skills including experience in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking systems e.g. online journals for recording children's progress
3. Evidence of relevant personal development/training to maintain skills in the early years sector
4. Relevant administrative experience in a nursery environment for example writing reports for children development, observations, chronologies and keeping children records up to date
5. Demonstrable ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of families, agencies and colleagues
6. Experience of working on the front line with service delivery, with parents and carers and outside agencies and the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality
7. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve straightforward issues
8. Ability to support children's learning and deliver high standards of teaching and learning

Desirable Criteria:
1. GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) English Language and Mathematics
2. Paediatric First Aid trained and certificate
3. Knowledge of the SEN Code of Practice
4. Safeguarding training level 2

Benefits:
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year (total 39 days). The University closes between Christmas and New Year
- Parking across campus, cycle to work scheme, discount with local bus and train companies
- Discounted membership for state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme
- On site nursery available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16
- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, among the most generous in the higher education sector
- Comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications
- Staff volunteering activities
- Discounts via benefits portal including supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products, cinema and days out
- Generous pension schemes