Bank Staff

Acorn Early Years Foundation; Stanwick; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive payscales

65% Childcare discount

Generous family leave

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Training days

Enhanced pension

Cyclescheme

Techscheme

Length of Service awards

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

Acorn Early Years Foundation at Stanwick Nursery is seeking a Bank Nursery Assistant to support the EYFS curriculum, meet basic care needs and promote well‑being in a warm, safe setting. You will work with a dedicated team to deliver high‑quality learning experiences and foster positive relationships with children, families and staff.

Flexibility for full days is welcome; part‑time options can be discussed.

Qualifications

• Understanding of EYFS and safeguarding procedures
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness to learn and adapt to a busy early years setting

Responsibilities

• To support a holistic approach to the curriculum and ensure high-quality interactions with children
• To ensure basic care needs of individual children are met and promote well-being
• To assist in the smooth day-to-day running of your group and carry out tasks as required
• To demonstrate a positive approach to children's behaviour and keep parents engaged with updates and progress

Job description

We are looking for a Bank Nursery Assistant to join the team at our Stanwick Nursery. Ideally looking for someone who is available for full days but can discuss availability at next stages.

Acorn at Stanwick is based in a historic village in Northamptonshire, which offers a homely space for children to relax and have fun whilst learning and socialising with other children. We work closely with the community and often become involved with village events and use the local amenities and surrounding area, including our own raised beds at the local allotment.

We offer full and part-time care for up to 78 children from the age of four months to four years, and are open from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, all year round.

The children have use of two large outdoor spaces, one being a private garden at the back of the nursery, which offers a woodland area, space for children to be active and a stream. We also have our own forest school field a few minutes’ walk away for children to explore and discover the environment through a range of activities, including the opportunity to learn how to use tools safely and learn about fire, with Lorraine, our in‑house forest school leader.

We have a team of qualified, experienced and dedicated staff who provide high quality care and education for all children in a secure and stimulating environment. Children’s learning is facilitated through a carefully designed provision which offers rich first‑hand opportunities that support children to explore, investigate and discover. Key persons use a variety of strategies, such as role modelling, encouraging, demonstrating, and setting challenges to help children to progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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 requested

Responsibility

• To ensure the interactions with children are high quality and based on individual need/stage of development
• 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 be responsive and aware of the individual needs of children.
• To ensure all children are making progress to their full potential
• 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 ensure all children are given the opportunity to be independent
• To ensure all children have the opportunity to be physically challenged
• To support with paperwork in relation to the child, for example care plans, all about me forms, medicine 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
• To keep abreast and adhere with changes in accordance to Acorn’s policies and procedures
• 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

At Acorn, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We value diverse perspectives and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. As an inclusive employer, we’re happy to consider any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process. You must have the right to work in the UK, be able to provide two satisfactory references, and, due to the nature of our sector, all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Benefits

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• 65% Childcare discount - Pro rata depending on contracted hours
• Generous family leave
• Christmas closure
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more)
• 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Cyclescheme
• Techscheme
• Length of Service awards
• Summer and Christmas parties
• Pay advances for when times are tough
• Employee assistance wellbeing programme