Lead Practitioner

YMCA Fairthorne Group; Eastleigh; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% discount on childcare

£500 joining bonus

Health Cash plan

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Flexible working

Career development opportunities

Employer pension

Job summary

YMCA Fairthorne Group is seeking a Lead Practitioner for their nursery team. This role focuses on supporting children with additional needs, developing education plans, and coaching nursery staff.

Candidates should have a Level 5 childcare qualification or significant experience. Benefits include a £500 joining bonus, 100% discount on childcare, and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.

Qualifications

• Experience implementing improvements in early years settings.
• Knowledge of SENCO and support for identified groups of children.
• Willingness to train for Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Responsibilities

• Support children with additional needs and vulnerabilities.
• Develop individual education plans and make referrals.
• Coach staff and contribute to the nursery improvement plan.

Skills

Child development understanding

Behaviour management

Coaching staff

Health and safety knowledge

Safeguarding practices

Education

Level 5 childcare qualification

Level 3 childcare qualification with relevant experience

Paediatric First Aid qualification

Job description

Our Benefits

• 100% discount on childcare
• Joining Bonus! Total of £500
• Early Years Financial Incentive Scheme, we can now offer a£1000 paymentto eligible new or returning staff, funded by the Department for Education
• Refer a Friend Scheme
• Health Cash plan – Including Medical/Dental/Online retail discounts
• Blue Light Card eligibility
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays FTE, increasing with length of service up to a maximum of 30 days
• Option to purchase additional leave (up to 10 days per annum)
• Celebration Leave
• Employer pension
• Flexible working
• Career development
• Enhanced Maternity
• Day camps discounts: 1 week free and 1 week at 50% per child per annum
• Campsite and activities discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Manor: campsite, river hire, activities, day camps
• 30% discount on food in Cafes: Eastleigh and Andover
• Wellbeing assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Good quality resources and a modern environment
• A welcoming, caring and supportive culture

Job Purpose

The Lead Practitioner is a key member of our nursery leadership team, with a prime focus on supporting children across the setting who have any form of additional need or vulnerability.

The job holder will be expected to observe children and, alongside keypersons, identify children in need of additional support, develop individual education plans, make onward referrals, and support and coach nursery teams to embed high standards of care to meet identified needs.

As part of the leadership team, the Lead Practitioner will also contribute towards the wider nursery improvement plan, coach and develop staff and on occasions deputise in the absence of the Nursery Manager. This post is primarily supernumerary with an expectation that the majority of time will be spent working directly with staff and children, in rooms and the garden.

Person Specification & Key Competencies

Qualifications and Experience

• Level 5 childcare qualification or Level 3, relevant experience and willingness to train.
• Experience of implementing improvements in an early years setting, including demonstrating best practice, coaching staff, setting objectives, and keeping records.
• Experience and understanding of child development, behaviour management, SENCO and identified groups of children.
• Good knowledge of matters relating to health and safety.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding good practice.
• Paediatric First Aid qualification or willingness to train.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (level 3 or above) or willingness to train.

Successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via Disclosure and Barring Service.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We are an equal opportunities charity with commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of this policy will be made available on request.