Early Childhood Educator – Ark Start Brunel

Ark; Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11% employer pension contribution

Full-time hours with clear boundaries

Training and development withinWorking

Job summary

Ark Start Brunel in London is seeking an Early Childhood Educator to join our founding team. You will deliver high-quality care and education for our children, support families, and work within Ark Start’s values.

This permanent, full-time role (term-time options) requires a Level 3 Diploma or willingness to work towards it, a calm, discreet, and collaborative approach, and a strong commitment to safeguarding and professional development.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care or willingness to work towards it.
• Interest in gardening and cooking desirable.
• Experience of and passion for outdoor learning / forest school desirable.
• Passion for the outdoors and creating lifelong memories for children and families.

Responsibilities

• To ensure a high standard of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual care for all children in their care
• To ensure safeguarding and welfare are promoted
• To provide an enabling environment where children can play, learn, and develop
• To have the skill, creativity, energy, and enthusiasm to deliver excellent provision
• To promote the aims and objectives of the nursery
• To follow safeguarding procedures to keep children safe and secure
• To keep records of children’s development and share with parents
• To liaise with the local authority and external agencies as required
• To undertake any other duties as determined by management

Skills

Team player

Calm under pressure

Discretion

Confidentiality

Multitasking

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care

Willingness to work towards it

Job description

About The Role

Reportingto: Nursery Manager

Location: Ark Start Brunel (Middle Row, London W10 5AT)

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full-time / Term Time Only

Salary: From £27,000

TheRole

• To ensure a high standard of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual care for all children in their care
• To ensure all children are safeguarded and their welfare and safety is promoted
• To provide an enabling environment in which all children can play, learn, and develop
• To have the skill, creativity, commitment, energy, and enthusiasm required to deliver excellent provision.

• KeyResponsibilities

• To promote the aims and objectives of the nursery
• To promote the high standards of the nursery at all times to parents, staff, and visitors
• To follow the nursery safeguarding procedure to ensure all children are kept safe, well, and secure
• To ensure the provision of high standards of physical and emotional care
• To work with families and parents / carers
• To keep records of your children’s development and learning journals and share this with parents and carers and ensure all record keeping is up to date and accurate
• Liaise with the local authority and other external agencies as required
• Undertake required domestic jobs within the nursery as required
• Participate fully in team meetings and training
• Read, understand, and adhere to all policies and procedures within the nursery
• Ensure good standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness are maintained
• Washing and changing children when required
• Ensure mealtimes are pleasant social experience
• Ensure poorly children are tended to and parents informed immediately
• To provide cover when required
• To undertake any other duties as determined by the management

• PersonSpecification:EarlyChildhoodEducator

• Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care or the willingness to work towards it

• Qualifications

• Interest in gardening and cooking desirable
• Experience of and passion for outdoor learning / forest school desirable
• Passion for the outdoors and gardening, and creating lifelong memories for children and families

• Knowledge,SkillsandExperience

• Genuine passion for and a belief in the potential of every pupil
• A robust awareness of keeping children safe, noticing safeguarding and welfare concerns, and you understand how and when to take appropriate action
• Belief that every student should have access to an excellent education regardless of background
• Professional outlook, detailed orientated and able to multitask and meet deadlines
• A team player that can work collaboratively as well as using own initiative
• Calm and professional under pressure
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion
• Flexible attitude towards work and demonstrates sound judgement

• Behaviours

• Right to work in the UK
• Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all students
• Willingness to undertake training
• This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check
• Actively promote the safety and welfare of our children and young people
• Ensure compliance with Ark Start data protection rules and procedures
• Liaise with colleagues and external contacts at all levels of seniority with confidence, tact, and diplomacy
• Work with colleagues and other nurseries and schools in the Ark network, to establish good practice, offering support where required.

Benefits

At Ark Start, we believe that when our practitioners are supported, our children thrive. That's why we've created a working environment that prioritises wellbeing, professional growth, and a healthy work-life balance.

• Competitive Reward Package: We offer competitive hourly rates alongside an excellent 11% employer pension contribution, with no employee contribution required, helping you build financial security for the future.
• Genuine Work-Life Balance: Our full-time roles are based on 37.5 hours per week, and we don't expect you to work beyond that. We recognise that our practitioners do their best work when they have time to recharge, which is why we are committed to maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal time.
• Training and Development: Within Working Hours We are passionate about continuous professional development, but we don't believe learning should come at the expense of your personal time. Any required training or development will be scheduled within your working hours. It's our responsibility to fit development opportunities into your work schedule, not yours to complete them outside of work.
• A Culture of Learning: As part of the wider Ark network, you'll benefit from access to a wealth of expertise, resources, and professional development opportunities. You'll join a collaborative community where continuous learning, knowledge-sharing, and career progression are actively encouraged and supported.
• A Team That Values You: At Ark Start, you're more than a practitioner. You'll be part of a mission-driven organisation that values your contribution, invests in your development, and supports you to build a rewarding and sustainable career in early childhood education.

About Us

Our dedicated team work together to ensure that every child has a joyful, engaging, and secure nursery experience and leaves us ready to start school happily and confidently. We are driven by our values in everything we do: Aim High, Be Brave, Be Kind and Keep Learning.

Ark Start is at an exciting time in its evolution. We opened two nurseries in South London last year and aim to expand our reach over the coming years. As we expand,we are looking for Early Childhood Educator to join our founding team. We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for young children and with the skill, creativity, commitment, and energy to deliver excellent provision at Ark Start.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Please contact [e-mail]