Nursery Officer | Leeds Jobs

Little Owls Burley are looking to recruit a Nursery Officer on a 12 month temporary contract.

The post requires a minimum level 3 qualification which meets the approved ‘full and relevant’ criteria for early years qualifications.

To check if your qualification is relevant for this position please go to:-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-years-qualifications-finder

Little Owls Nurseries are situated in neighbourhoods across Leeds and serve a diverse community as part of the Leeds Children’s Centre offer.

Our nurseries have high levels of qualified staff and qualified teachers to support practice improvement. Further qualification is encouraged and whilst no guarantee can be given to subsequent promotion, there are a number of higher graded posts within the service which potentially provide the opportunity for career progression.

The centres operate between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00 and candidates must be available to cover shifts over this period whether working on a part time or full time basis.

Please be aware that successful applicants could be asked to work at any of the city wide Little Owls Nurseries.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Sarah Binns, Children Centre Manager – Tel: 0113 2755044

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose

Under the general direction of the Manager and Senior staff, to work as part of the team to deliver a high standard of care which meets the individual needs of the children. To make and maintain positive relationships with the children and to safely meet the physical care and management needs of children.

All staff are required to support the services’ main purpose of encouraging and enabling children to develop, behaviourally, educationally, and emotionally. To always create and maintain a customer focused attitude and approach that promotes positive relationships and generates a culture of openness and trust. To deliver efficient, effective, and quality services by way of flexible working. To work together with colleagues from other service areas and organisations to provide and maintain a safe secure and learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children in which they can prosper, develop, and achieve. To foster, maintain and support pro-social behaviour, a restorative and solution focussed approach with, children, and colleagues.

Responsibilities

To lead and provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
To lead and provide a broad and balanced Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum that will meet the requirements of relevant National and Local standards.
To establish and deliver on Individual Education Programmes (IEP) and the Early Support Programme for children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND).
To observe and monitor children’s development and prepare written reports of their progress, to promote their wellbeing.
To liaise with and provide professional advice to, parents/carers; and other professionals involved with the child.
To maintain client confidentiality.
To liaise with the local primary school teachers and prepare reports that will support the child’s transition into school.
To report any injury or accident ensuring that the Health and Safety of the individual is maintained.
To understand and operate the policies and procedures for the administration of medication including accurately recording and verifying drug sheets.
To follow the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury, complying with Departmental Child Protection Procedures in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (West Yorkshire Consortium Procedure Manual)
To support student placements: to prepare and present accurate, concise reports on these to the Manager and/or college tutors.
To support parents, carers and families in the successful admission and transition of their children.
To organise and participate in interesting and appropriate educational visits for children and families, observing health and safety policies and making risk assessments.
To take responsibility for the securing of the building and resources if required.
To assist the management in providing professional support to parents and outside agencies on issues relating to child protection.
To take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
To participate in and provide training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Service.
To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

It is an essential requirement of this post that the post holder should hold a minimum of a full and relevant Level 3 qualification as defined by the Sector Skills Council for Childcare, the Children’s Workforce Development Council, as listed on their website at www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/qualifications (NB this includes degrees recognised by the CWDC, such as the BA Hons. Childhood Studies, Early Years Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree but NOT other non- relevant degrees UNLESS Early Years Professional Status has also been achieved).

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Able to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
Able to motivate children through positive role modelling and sustain their interest in play activities.
Able to work as part of a team.
Able to listen and accept instructions.
Ability to safeguard children and support them to develop their resilience
Able to effectively use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to lead planning and evaluation of activities to aid children’s learning.
Able to write and oversee the production of reports and plans to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing, to the required standard.
Able to offer support to children and families in a culturally sensitive, positive and non-judgemental way
Able to work in a partnership with parents and carers to support their children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
Able to complete risk assessments.
Able to support the development of children with special educational needs and disabilities in an inclusive setting.
Able to supervise students and apprentices.
Able to use ICT packages, including Word and Excel.
An ability to work with staff at all levels, working as part of a team, contributing to team cohesion and liaising with other professionals
A flexible approach to working hours with the ability to change shift patterns as required.
A minimum of a full and relevant Level 3 qualification as defined by sector skills council for childcare, as detailed in ‘Qualifications’ section above.
GCSE Maths and English at grades A*-C or equivalent (CSE at Grade 1, Key Skills at Level 3, ‘O’ Level Grade A-C) or basic skills Level 2 as part of your childcare qualification.
A relevant and current Paediatric First Aid or Emergency Paediatric First Aid certificate or a commitment to achieve this within the first 3 months of employment, as required in the EYFS framework.
Knowledge and understanding of practice in Safeguarding children and Local Safeguarding Board procedures.
Knowledge and understanding of current legislation, policy and guidance relating to the work of Sure Start Children’s Centres including the 2004 Children Act, the 2006 Childcare Act, the Ofsted inspection framework, the EYFS, the SEN Code of practice and Working Together to Safeguard children 2015.
Knowledge of a range of factors which create stress for children and families.
Knowledge of guidance documents which support the development of young children’s learning including the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile.
Experience of professional employment in work with young children and families.
Experience of working in partnership with other agencies.
Experience of working in close partnership with parents and carers.
Experience of professional employment in a nursery environment.
Experience of practice related to Child Protection issues.
Experience of supervising others.
Experience of leading practice within a nursery environment.
Experience of teamwork.
Experience of leading in planning to organise play experiences for children.

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

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