Early Years Practitioner

Lancing College; Worthing; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancing College is seeking an Early Years Practitioner to join the Nursery and Pre-School. You will support a play-based EYFS curriculum, fostering safe, caring environments for 2–4 year-olds and collaborating with colleagues to promote progress.

As a keyperson, you will observe and report on development, liaise with parents, and attend meetings, ensuring ISI standards and high standards of personal presentation and professional conduct.

Qualifications

• Genuine passion for working with young children and safeguarding.
• Level 3 EYFS qualification or equivalent.
• Solid knowledge of the EYFS Statutory Framework.
• Experience with 2-4 year olds in an EYFS setting.
• Ability to plan, deliver and evaluate play-based learning experiences.
• Experience observing, assessing and recording progress in line with EYFS.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, caring, stimulating environment indoors and outdoors.
• Deliver a play-based EYFS curriculum that enables children's progress.
• Act as a keyperson for a group of children, monitoring their development and writing termly reports.
• Liaise with parents and lead termly parent meetings; promote the school's image.
• Support ISI requirements and attend necessary meetings and training.

Skills

Passion for children

Level 3 EYFS qualification

EYFS knowledge

Experience with 2-4 year olds

Play-based learning

Observing & recording progress

Communication with parents

First Aid & Food Hygiene certificates

Digital learning journals (Tapestry)

Safeguarding

Education

Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education/Childcare

Paediatric First Aid certificate

Food Hygiene certificate

Tools

Tapestry

Job description

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner
Reporting to: Head of Nursery & Pre-School & Head

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Safeguarding, Safety & Compliance

• Toalwaysprovide a safe, caring, stimulating educational environment, both indoors and outdoors.
• To ensure the highest standards of safety and security within theNurseryandPre-School.
• To ensure care, maintenance and security of equipment and toys within the Nurseryand Pre-School.
• To provide simple first aid, when necessary.
• To adhere to the school and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) policies with special reference to the learning support, safeguarding and child protection, and equal opportunities policies, and to help promote inclusion in the Nursery and Pre-School.
• To support the team, deliver an appropriate play-based EYFS curriculum that enables children to make individual progress and to support other staff in doing so
• To ensure the Nursery always meets Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) requirements.

Curriculum, Teaching & Learning

• To promotehigh standards, progression,continuityand quality of learning.
• To have a solid understanding of the EYFS curriculum and deliver stimulating, varied,play-basedactivities across all areas of learning.
• Toobservechildren as individuals and in groups andmonitorbehaviour, progress and possible developmental needs.
• To help plan activities which ensure each child is working towards their next steps in learning.
• To act as akeyperson for a group of children, monitoring, assessing,recordingand reporting on their development, ensuring their needs are met.
• To set targets and next steps for key children and to write termly reports for key children.
• To ensure children’s online learning journals are up to date.

Parent Engagement & Communication

• To ensure that first impressions are professional and lasting for parents and prospective parents and that these aremaintainedthroughout the day.
• To liaise closely with parents/carers, informing them about the nursery and its curriculum, exchanging information about children’s progress and encouraging parents’ involvement.
• To lead termly parent meetings with parents of children in key group.
• To support strong Pre-School–to–Reception progression by supporting a range of transition activities and events across the academic year.
• To promote the work and image of theschoolby alwaysmaintaininghigh standardsof personal appearance and adopting a friendly, professional approach to parents, members of the public and the wider community.
• To keep up to date with current good practice.
• To attend Nursery and Pre-School meetings, whole school meetings and INSET training days as necessary for professional development.
• To work flexibly, providing cover for both term-time Wraparound and Holiday Club.
• To assist with the planning and delivery of an appropriate play-based stimulating and varied programme of activities, varying these to suit the age and preferences of users.
• To ensure that in Holiday Club the arrival and departure of children is properly recorded and monitored.

Administration & Other Duties

• Toassistin day-to-day administration and record keeping, following school policies and guidelines.
• To undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Nursery Manager and Pre-School Manager and/or Head.

Skills and Qualifications

• A genuine passion for working with young children and a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Hold a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education/Childcare (or an equivalent qualification recognised for Early Years practice).
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the EYFS Statutory Framework.
• Experience working with children aged 2-4 years within an Early Years setting.
• Ability to plan, deliver and evaluate engaging play-based learning experiences that support children’s development.
• Experience observing, assessing, and recording children’s progress in line with EYFS requirements.
• Ability to support children’s personal care needs, including toileting, hygiene, and self-care routines.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.
• Values and respects the views, individuality, and needs of children.
• Basic IT skills and willingness to use nursery management and recording systems.
• Holds, or is willing to obtain, a current Paediatric First Aid certificate and Food Hygiene certificate.
• Knowledge of the Children Act and safeguarding requirements relevant to Early Years provision.
• Experience using digital learning journals and nursery management systems such as Tapestry.
• Experience supporting children with additional needs.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety requirements within an Early Years environment.