Nursery Assistant

Join The Maples Day Nursery as a Nursery Assistant, delivering high-quality care, keeping children safe and creating stimulating, inclusive play that meets individual needs and supports every child's development.

This role will be working with various age groups from 6 weeks to 4 years, supporting both the children and colleagues, and entailing light domestic duties as and when required in the playrooms. The nursery is based in leafy Edgbaston, next to the University of Birmingham campus, offering excellent public transport links.

Main Duties:

Provide high quality, positive care for children through social, emotional, educational, and practical interaction, nurturing, and guidance.

Make sure the children are kept safe, are well, and that Child Protection Procedures are followed.

Contribute towards observations and keep recording of the activities and progress of children.

Partner with parents/carers to keep them informed of their child's day and progress.

Organise, maintain and ensure a clean, tidy, hygienic, safe, child-friendly environment.

Help to supervise activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, reading, music, and outdoor and physical activities.

Maintain toys and equipment.

Feed babies and ensure the nutritional needs of children are met, complying with Food Safety Regulations.

Change nappies and help children with potty/toilet training.

Help children to learn social, emotional, numeracy, language, and practical skills.

Work with staff within the nursery to provide a high quality nursery service.

Work with outside professional bodies or agencies as appropriate.

Implement the daily routine of the nursery.

Participate in meetings out of hours annual staff meeting.

Follow the nursery's practices, processes, and procedures, e.g. positive behaviour management techniques.

Learn about developments in childcare and undertake training as required.

Ensure the health and safety of colleagues and children, complying with all Health and Safety requirements.

Treat everyone with dignity and respect, support equality, and value diversity.

Undertake other duties as required.

Person Specification:

Hold a full and relevant childcare and education qualification to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent.

Where possible GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C or above.

Experience in working with children from birth to 5 years and positive behaviour management.

Knowledge of developments in early years of education and willingness to undertake training.

Knowledge of legislation, regulations, inspection criteria, and curriculum relevant to Early Years.

Understanding of how to ensure health and safety and hygiene in a childcare setting.

Understanding of and commitment to Child Protection procedures.

Suitability and ability to care for children, including the ability to deal with challenging behaviours.

Ability to communicate well and work well with children and adults from diverse backgrounds.

Reliable and punctual.

Ability to write legibly and present information well.

Ability to work well as part of a team.

Good organisational skills.

Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect early years' childcare.

Ability and willingness to take on duties as required.

Benefits:

40 days paid holiday a year (depending on working hours), 1 paid day a year for volunteering, 2 paid staff training days, occupational sick pay, discounted gym membership at the new sports centre, recognition scheme, staff discount on childcare, an in-depth induction to the nursery including EYFS, and ongoing training and development opportunities.

All successful candidates will be required to undergo a DBS check covering all names used. References from at least one referee will be sought prior to interview.