Nursery and Preschool Practitioner

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Relevant Level 2 or above Early Years qualification which allows the applicant to work within Early Years ratios.
• 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