Job Titles: Early Years Practitioner / Early Years Assistant, Cache Level 3

General Information

The nursery was founded on the principles of Dr Maria Montessori and her approaches to learning and development, supported by the Early Years Foundation Stage. The nursery can take up to a maximum of 45 children.

The children may attend up to 5 day sessions per week, with a minimum commitment of 3 per week. Our aim is to provide opportunities for the individual child to develop independently and foster a joy for learning that prepares them for the challenges ahead.

Further Details about the School can be found at www.smithschildren.co.uk

Job Description 

Reporting to

All staff are directly responsible to the management of whom are responsible for all matters concerning employment.

Main Purpose of the Post

• This position requires love, patience and respect for children, supporting and encouraging independence and model for them appropriate manners and behaviours. 

• To act as ambassador for the Nursery School and the owners in all matters.

• Guide children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth following the philosophies of Maria Montessori by performing the following duties:

- To work as an effective member of an early year’s childcare team delivering a flexible, high quality childcare service that meets the needs of the children and their families. 

- To provide a safe, stimulating environment for the children, with creative and appropriate play and learning opportunities. In accordance with the EYFS 2012.

- Assist the Montessori Teacher with providing the children with a “prepared environment”.

The candidate will:

• Undertake basic Montessori in-house training, in order to support the Montessori teacher. 

• Develop knowledge of Montessori terminology and methods.

Key Responsibilities 

• To work in partnership with setting management/staff and trainees as part of a highly motivated and professional team. 

• To be part of a team of early years practitioners providing safe and stimulating childcare, under the direction of the Setting Manager/Directors.

• Support the nursery and co-workers to maintain standards in line with Ofsted requirements.

• To attend staff meetings and keep up to date with current childcare issues.

• Assist in the planning and operation of nursery events such as open days, family BBQ and parent meetings.

• To promote good practice in a professional and inclusive manner.

• To be fully involved in all activities associated with the childcare provision.

• To understand, work within and promote the settings policies and procedures.

• To share any child protection concerns immediately with the Designated Person. 

• To adhere to the confidentiality policy of the setting.

• Administration of children’s progress, making observations in line with planning and evaluation. Updating continuously as required and working closely with management to fulfil EYFS obligations.

• Daily checks of child staff ratio and work closely with other room leaders/key workers to maintain correct staff deployment in all areas of the nursery.

• Liaising with diplomacy and tact with parents and the wider community.

• Meeting prospective parents during visits. 

• Administering of first aid to children and staff as required. Training will be provided.

• Keep the classroom clean and inviting.

• Assist with individual and/or group activities to stimulate growth of the children in social, emotional and academic areas.

• To have an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and the Statutory Welfare Requirements and  the ability to meet them.

Assist the children by moving around and providing support and guidance where needed to

- Complete different work cycles

- Choosing work

- Returning work when the child completes his task

• Encourage individual work time to promote independence as well as group work to promote socialisation. 

• Be present at parent/teacher meetings.

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with children, parents and co-workers.

• Participate in all open houses, school programs and In-house training.

• Serve snack and lunch while helping children to learn how to help themselves.

• Allow children to be as independent as possible.

• Encourage the children to feed themselves.

• Responsible for nappy changing and/or assisting with toileting while demonstrating respect for the child.

Responsible for cleanliness in the following areas, utilising daily checklists and involving the support of the children

• Sweep/mop lunch area during nap time.

• Keep classroom tidy at the end of the academic day.

• Clean bathrooms during the day if they become unclean. 

• Emptying bins at the end of the academic day.

• Disinfecting work areas and dusting shelves weekly with the children.

• To act as a Key Person to a small group of children as directed by the Manager.

• To clear up after activities making sure that materials and equipment are maintained and stored properly.

• To liaise with parents to support the development and care of their children.

• Promote the organisation’s Equal Opportunities policies.

• To have due regard to the provisions of Health & Safety at Work legislation, as detailed in the Health and Safety policy.

• Undertake such additional responsibilities as required by the Manager/Owners, which commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

Be fully committed to the continuous success of Smiths Children Montessori.

This job description describes responsibilities, as they are currently required.  It is anticipated duties will change over time and the job description may need to be reviewed in the future.

In addition to the above duties and a requirement of the job, you will be expected to support other team members by providing lunch cover.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, and it is expected that you will participate in a wide range of activities. The position is suitable for someone who wishes to demonstrate initiative and to develop their own skills further with a view to progression.

Person Specification

The following key criteria describes the characteristics (skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications) that are needed to carry out the duties in the job description, and will be used as the basis for short-listing and interview.

Outline Terms and Conditions 

Working Hours

This post is for 52 weeks of the year and requires a minimum commitment of 40+ hours per week, divided of 5 days, Monday to Friday. Normal hours of work therefore are organised between 7:30 am – 6:00 pm. You will be requested from time to time to attend meetings/training out of hours of which will be unpaid, but which will improve personal knowledge whilst meeting legal requirements and satisfy other work based obligations.

Holidays

Paid holiday entitlement must be arranged in advance with the directors. During your employment you will receive a paid holiday entitlement of 5.6 weeks inclusive of public/bank holidays subject to a maximum of 28 days. 

Additional Holiday Pay

We pay an additional day’s holiday for each year worked up to a maximum of 4 days (32 days paid holiday per year).

Starting Salary

The starting salary is Negotiable at interview and considers the candidates present job role and past experiences.

We are committed to the continued development of skills amongst our team and appropriate training will be provided as necessary.

Occupational Pension Scheme

We provide the pension scheme to all staff that wish to contribute each month. We also contribute a percentage towards your pension, which will increase over time.

Application Process

Safer Recruitment

Cambridge Montessori are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children in our care. All applicants therefore must be willing to undergo effective child protection screening, this will include references from previous employers and an enhanced criminal records check (DBS check). We shall also seek compliance with sections 15-25 of the immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (eligibility to work in the United Kingdom of Great Britain). 

Interviews will be conducted in person to test your suitability to work with children.

Applications for employment

A completed application form for employment should be sent by post or by email.

An application form can be downloaded from our website, in pdf and word formats. here

Smiths Children Montessori

St. Luke's Church,

Wray Hall, Victoria Road

Cambridge

CB4 3DZ

Email: office@smithschildren.co.uk

Interviews times will be arranged and confirmed with the candidate.

Visits to the nursery school are welcomed prior to the submission of a completed application form. Please contact the nursery office on 01223 301047 to book an appointment. We look forward to meeting you!