Lead Practitioner

YMCA Fairthorne Group; Newport; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% discount on childcare

£500 joining bonus

Health cash plan

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Flexible working

Career development opportunities

Job summary

YMCA Fairthorne Group is seeking a Lead Practitioner to join their nursery leadership team. This role focuses on supporting children with additional needs and coaching staff to uphold high care standards.

The successful candidate will play a crucial role in developing individual education plans, observing children, and contributing to overall nursery improvements. A strong understanding of child development and relevant qualifications is essential.

Competitive benefits include a joining bonus, childcare discounts, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience coaching staff and demonstrating best practices in childcare.
• Willingness to undertake training, such as become Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Demonstrated ability to support children with additional needs.

Responsibilities

• Observe children to identify additional support needs.
• Develop individual education plans and coach nursery teams.
• Contribute to the nursery improvement plan as a leadership team member.

Skills

Experience of implementing improvements in an early years setting

Good knowledge of health and safety

Understanding of safeguarding practice

Experience and understanding of child development

Education

Level 5 childcare qualification or Level 3 with relevant experience

Tools

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 payment to 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, 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: Fairthorne, Eastleigh and Andover
• Wellbeing assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Good quality resources and a modern environment
• A welcoming, caring and supportive culture

The YMCA are huge advocates of personal and professional development. When you work with us, you also benefit from:

• Access to 26 online professional development modules
• Attain additional qualifications such as SENCO, Forest School qualification
• Inspiring opportunities to work in different settings and share practice

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

• 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.

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.