Senior Early Years Practitioner (Maternity Cover – 6 months)

Who are we?

Puddle Lane Early Learning and Childcare Centre is part of the Kibble Group, which is ultimately governed by Miss Elizabeth Kibble’s Trust. We are seeking an impassioned and experienced Senior Early Years Practitioner to join our professional early learning & childcare workforce. The nursery is in the developmental phase, so we are offering an unrivalled opportunity to be involved from the infancy of this new and innovative provision.

The Senior Early Years Practitioner will have a crucial role in supporting the Nursery Manager in the management and development of the centre. Developing the vision and pedagogical approach, in consultation with staff, children and service users. This will include providing professional support, supervision, and leadership to staff and to manage the establishment in the absence of the Nursery Manager.

You will support the Nursery Manager in the Quality Monitoring and Improvement planning process. Assisting in the development and management of office systems, administration, budget monitoring and preparation of statistical returns as required.

The successful candidate will have at least 3 years’ experience of working with pre five children in a relevant setting and knowledge of Scotland’s new national practice guidance ‘Realising the Ambition’, the Early Years Framework and Curriculum for Excellence, with strong communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

Our pedagogical approach within this new Early Learning & Childcare setting is under-pinned by the time-honoured Froebelian principles of Fredrick Froebel. As a Senior Early Years Practitioner, you will be encouraged to influence and lead our team, making links between practice, theory, and policy guidance to reinforce aspects of high-quality provision and the critical leadership role you play within the setting.

You will provide professional guidance for the workforce, ensuring appropriate written and electronic records are monitored and evaluated in consultation with the child. Leading and influencing the planning of a play-based curriculum that offers rich opportunities to engage children in sharing their views in the planning process, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and dispositions necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.

As a leader of the Early Years workforce, you will also bring the skills and enthusiasm to provide a safe, caring and stimulating nursery environment for all children. You will assist the Nursery Manager in developing strong partnerships with families, including creating and facilitating fair input, communication and information sharing with all parents/carers.

The role will also include coordinating admissions and ensuring the GIRFEC principles underpin the work within the centre. Providing guidance for colleagues within the Child’s Plan process, to ensure children and families have relevant opportunities to contribute their views and, where relevant, to involve external agencies in a coordinated way.

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory PVG Disclosure check and references. All appointments will be subject to a twelve-month probationary period

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate should –

• have an HNC or SVQ Level 3 in Early Learning and Childcare (or equivalent).
• a professional development qualification that demonstrates a commitment to a leadership career pathway
• have knowledge of Early Level Curriculum for Excellence.
• at least 3 years’ experience in working with 0-5-year age range.
• SSSC registration.
• contribute to the delivery of a high-quality Early Years’ Service.
• good report writing and record keeping skills.

Employee Benefits

As part of the Kibble, at Puddle Lane we recognise our staff to be the backbone of the organisation, always prioritising the needs of the children and young people in our care and doing so with the highest professionalism and best practice. To give our staff something back we provide health and wellbeing services and personal benefits as well as the opportunity to learn and develop.

A commitment to professional development:

• Mandatory training such as manual handling, first aid, food hygiene and fire safety.
• Support for further education and qualifications relevant to area of work
• Opportunities to attend events to further learning that can be used across multiple disciplines

A commitment to employee health and wellbeing:

• Health plan with support towards healthcare costs
• Access to counselling
• Access to a physiotherapist

A commitment to personal benefits:

• A meal for every member of staff on shift
• Free onsite parking
• Access to a credit union

This is an exciting time to be part of Puddle Lane. Ongoing development will help us to ensure the stability of the centre and continued growth, ultimately helping us to support even more children and families. We are always looking for like-minded, passionate and committed people to join us on this journey.

Notes:

1. This job outline reflects the main tasks and responsibilities discharged by the post holder at the present time, however, we reserve the right to alter or amend the content of this job outline to reflect changes to the job or service provided, while maintaining the overall character and level of responsibility for the post.

2. Notwithstanding any information or statement described within this job outline, all duties must be carried out in a way that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and respect for all individuals and which is consistent with Puddle Lane’s stated policy on Equality & Inclusion.

3. The successful candidate will be subject to PVG Scheme Membership. Having previous convictions will not automatically disbar you from working at Puddle Lane (with the exception of offences against children or other vulnerable groups) and every case is taken on an individual basis.

4. Appointments will be subject to a twelve-month probationary period.