About this role
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Full and relevant Level 2 or above Early Years qualification which allows the applicant to work within Early Years ratios
- Maths and English Qualification equivalent to GCSE grade 4 or above
- Willingness to participate in development and training opportunities
Desirable
- Training in the relevant strategies e.g. parenting and/or in particular learning areas, e.g. quality improvement, observation and record keeping, Communication, Language and Literacy, ICT, maths, etc.
- Full working knowledge of relevant policies/codes of practice and awareness of the EYFS statutory framework
- Understanding of principles of child development and learning processes and in particular barriers to learning
- Health & Safety certificate
- Paediatric First Aid qualification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to plan effective learning and care programmes either under appropriate supervision and guidance or in collaboration
- Ability to work independently using own initiative
- Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities
- Ability to relate well to children and adults including other professionals/carers/parents
- Ability to demonstrate and promote good practice in line with the ethos of the school both indoors and outdoors
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, whilst ensuring children, colleagues, parents and carers are respected and listened to
- Fluent English speaker
- Effectively communicate with adults and children
- Good written, verbal and non-verbal communication
Desirable
- Proven experience of working with children in an early learning environment, either on placement or in paid employment , including on a 1:1 basis.
- Experience of working in Early Years in a school environment
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Ability to reflect on learning and care needs and use this knowledge to impact on children’s outcomes e.g. in planning, procurement of resources, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), communication with parents
- Experience of working with other agencies and professionals
- Knowledge and understanding of the type of external support that is available to support children’s development and how to access these services
- Ability to interact with children and support their involvement in physical activities and outdoor play
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Proactive and positive team player, able to work constructively as part of a team to understand pre-school roles and responsibilities and own position within these
- Enthusiasm for learning and working with children
- Caring, friendly, approachable, open, inclusive, welcoming, and personable
- Able to maintain confidentiality at all times
Desirable
- Reflective approach and commitment to personal development
- Able to provide consistently high levels of quality care and education opportunities to all children, in pressured and sometimes challenging environments