Childcare Practitioner

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Abacus Nursery is recruiting a full-time Childcare Practitioner to join the team. The role focuses on individualized care, safety, and a rich learning environment for under-5s.

The successful candidate will communicate with parents, support staff, and maintain high standards in safeguarding and health and safety, including medication administration and incident awareness.

Qualifications

• English GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent.
• Level 3 in Childcare Qualification.
• Paediatric First Aid.
• Food Safety Certificate Level 2.

Responsibilities

• Provide an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills with a wide range of experiences.
• Ensure day-to-day safety and security of the nursery, including opening/closing, handling calls and visitors.
• Administer medication as instructed by parents/guardians with proper storage and documentation; act when a child becomes ill.
• Maintain regular communication with parents and staff about welfare, development and health and social care.
• Act as a role model to less experienced staff and childcare students, offering support and advice to parents.
• Carry out duties to ensure compliance with safeguarding and health & safety policies.

Education

English GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent

Level 3 in Childcare Qualification

Paediatric First Aid

Food Safety Certificate Level 2

Job description

An opportunity has arisen to join the team at Abacus Nursery as a full time Childcare Practitioner. You will be required:

• To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
• To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the childrens cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
• To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
• Day to day safety and security of the nursery including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
• Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted.
• Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the childrens welfare, development and health and social care., To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
• To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the childrens cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
• To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
• Day to day safety and security of the nursery including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
• Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted.
• Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the childrens welfare, development and health and social care.

As a childs key person ensure effective communication links with team members and other professionals for example Area Senco, Health Visitor, Child Protection Nurse, Therapist, and Educational Specialist.

• English GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent
• Level 3 in Childcare Qualification
• Paediatric First Aid
• Food Safety Certificate Level 2

Experience

• Post qualifying work experience with under 5's
• Experience of working with a tablet/PC observation and assessment record system

Knowledge and Awareness

• Knowledge of the Ofsted's Statutory Framework for Early Years and the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures
• Knowledge of the Prevent Duty
• Awareness of own limitations
• Knowledge of Health & Safety regulations relating to a childcare environment

• We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work. We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust. As a member of the team, you will have access to the NHS pension plan, a generous holiday allowance, employee health and wellbeing services and extensive benefits and support. These include onsite nurseries, childcare vouchers, home electronics schemes, working carers support, carer-friendly policies, and more. If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.