Early Years Practitioner

£24,960 - £27,040 per annum

We are looking for inspirational Level 3 qualified Early Years Practitioners to join one of our nurseries within Milton Keynes. Location will be discussed during the application process.

The role needs to cover 40 hours per week Monday to Friday working between 07.30 and 18.15. 

We’re proud to be one of the leading childcare providers in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Bedford with over 30 years’ experience who specialise in nature pedagogy and promoting the professional development of our employees. We believe that childcare needs a personal touch, and our nurseries and out-of-school clubs offer flexibility and individuality with a homely feel. As a not-for-profit organisation, we place our children’s well-being at the heart of our work.

Role:

-        To support a holistic approach to the curriculum

-        To ensure basic care needs of individual children are met

-        To ensure a high level of well-being among children

-        To have a good understanding of Acorn’s ethos, values, policies and procedures and that they are reflected in daily practice

-        A good working knowledge and practice of the EYFS and safeguarding procedures

-        To assist in the smooth day to day running of your group

-        To carry out tasks as requested

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Responsibility

-        To demonstrate a positive approach to children’s behaviour working in-line with our policy and procedure

-        To ensure there are professional, positive relationships demonstrated with parents

-        To ensure the environment offers rich, first hand learning opportunities for all children which accommodates a holistic approach to the curriculum

-        To support in making sure  resources and equipment are readily available, accessible and replenished both inside and outside

-         To ensure children’s interests are being met and appropriate teaching methods are being used to extend children’s thinking and learning.

-        To support all staff, working as part of a team, adapting your role as necessary, and taking on specific responsibilities as required, including supporting inexperienced staff.

-        To understand and implement planning in the moment

-        To carry out observations regularly and are of high quality and in-line with Acorn’s recommendations for planning in the moment

-        To complete paperwork in relation to the child, for example care plans, all about me forms, medicine forms, accident forms, transition forms and two-year progress check (where appropriate) etc

-        To understand the key person approach and be an effective key person

-        To cascade any information or updates to the management and your staff team

-        Work in partnership with the senior/deputy of your room to understand the overall analysis of the assessment and understand how you are going to support progress moving forward

-        To safeguard all children in our care

Expectations

-        To have a good understanding of Acorn’s core values, ethos and policies and ensure these are reflected in practice

-        A high-quality provision to support children’s learning across the curriculum

-        To value parents as partners

-        For all children to be happy, confident, self-assured and independent

-        Effective communication with management, staff, children and parents

-        To role model outstanding practice and positive behaviour management

-        To be confident to talk to external agencies, including Ofsted

-        To oversee the smooth running of the room in the absence of the Senior/Deputy

Working at Acorn

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• Childcare discount – nothing should be a barrier to your career
• Generous family leave – supporting you to support your family
• Christmas closure – Santa doesn’t wait for anyone
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more) – even superheroes need time off
• 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans – investing in you for the whole journey
• Enhanced pension scheme – not as far away as you think 😉
• Cyclescheme – helping you get back on the saddle
• Techscheme – making a brand new laptop a little more affordable
• Length of Service awards – time with us means treats for you
• Summer and Christmas parties – all work and no play is a myth
• Pay advances for when times are tough
• Employee assistance wellbeing programme – because you matter to us

We very much welcome candidates that are looking to progress their personal career development due to future nurseries in the pipeline within the location of MK. The ideal candidate will be passionate, motivated and enthusiastic about outdoor learning and creative play, as well as a good working knowledge and practice of the EYFS and safeguarding procedures.

Sustainability and being part of the local community is an important factor to us, so if you want to see if there is a nursery closer to you, get in touch with our HR team today on: 01908 510309 or email: hr@acornearlyyears.org.uk

Successful applicants must be able to provide ‘right to work in the UK’ documentation, provide two satisfactory references and undertake an enhanced DBS check prior commencing employment.