Nursery Assistant

Education Authority; Belfast; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Nursery Assistant to provide educational support and care for children. In this rewarding role, you will work closely with teachers to foster a nurturing environment, assist with classroom activities, and promote positive behavior. Your contributions will be vital in helping children thrive both academically and socially. Join a supportive team where your skills will make a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners. If you are passionate about child development and eager to support a vibrant learning community, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Minimum six months’ experience in a formal learning environment required.
• Knowledge of child development issues and health/safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist in educational support and care of children in a designated class.
• Contribute to planning, implementation, and review of the curriculum.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Team Working

Planning and Organizing

Flexibility

Education

Level 2, 3 or 4 Childcare Qualification

5 GCSEs

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

C2K Schools IT Systems

CPOMS

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Nursery Assistant REPORTS TO: The Principal through the class teacher JOB PURPOSE Under the direction of the class teacher, assist with the educational support and care of the children in a designated class, in or outside the classroom. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The precise duties of the post will be determined by the Principal and may include all or some of the duties listed below. CLASSROOM SUPPORT

• Under the leadership of the teacher work as part of a team to promote the efficient running of the class.
• Be aware of confidential issues linked to home/child/teacher relationships, as relevant, and keep confidences appropriately.
• Establish a supportive relationship with the children and parents.
• Assist, under the leadership of the teacher, children learning as effectively as possible both indoors and outdoors through, for example;

• clarifying and explaining instruction.
• ensuring the children are able to use equipment and materials/resources provided.
• participating in motivating and encouraging the children as required.
• participating in supporting identified areas for development, e.g. physical skills, language, behaviour, etc.

• To contribute to the planning, implementation and review of all areas of the curriculum as directed by the teacher.
• Under the leadership of the teacher prepare learning materials and resources.
• Under the leadership of the teacher contribute to the planning, preparation and display of the children’s work.
• Contribute to the observation, recording and evaluation of children’s progress records as directed by the teacher.
• Set up, clear away and regularly clean equipment.
• Participate in classroom activities, including groups of children, or individual children, under the direction of the teacher.
• Participate in special events/activities such as school visits.
• Positively promote positive behaviour in accordance with school policy.
• Ensure and promote as far as possible a safe environment for children.
• Assist with toileting, personal hygiene and dressing of children.
• Provide supervision/support including the administration of routine prescribed medicines and drugs for children who are ill and deal with minor cuts and bruises.
• Report, to the designated Child Protection Officer in the school, any signs or symptoms displayed which may suggest that a child requires expert or immediate attention in line with the boards/schools child protection policy.
• Contribute to the planning, purchase and preparation of daily snacks taking account of the school’s/Board’s ‘Healthy Eating Policy’.

ADMINISTRATION

• Assist with classroom administration, e.g. collecting dinner money, lost property etc.
• Provide regular feedback about the children to the teacher.

OTHER DUTIES

• Attend relevant in-service training and disseminate appropriate information to colleagues.
• Participate in regular staff meetings and staff training days as required.
• Be aware of school policies and procedures and under the leadership of the teacher contribute to the implementation and review of school policies and procedures.
• Such other duties as may be assigned within the level of the post.
• Participate in a supporting role in the training of non-teaching students.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.

PERSON SPECIFICATION NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
• You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications

Hold a minimum of a Level 2, 3 or 4 childcare qualification as approved by EA*

• A list of approved qualifications is available to download from the EA website www.eani.org.uk

AND/OR

5 GCSEs

Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience

Have a minimum of six months’ experience of working with a child/children in a formal learning environment e.g. school, nursery or playgroup

Shortlisting by Application Form

Skills / Abilities

Evidence of a working knowledge of information technology systems including:

• Microsoft Word and Outlook, and/or
• C2K schools IT systems
• Evidence to show use of CPOMS to record child protection issues

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

Demonstrable knowledge of the following:

• The requirements of a Nursery Assistant
• Child development issues in particular ACEs and Behaviour Management
• Health and safety requirements, relevant to the role

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Knowledge

Demonstrable and understand the importance of outdoor play

Interview

Skills / Abilities

Evidence of an ability to work flexibly and creatively to help ensure a child-centred learning experience

Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills

Proven team working and collaborative skills

Evidence of effective planning and organising skills to ensure work is completed on time to the required standard

Interview

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos. You will find information about the school’s values/ethos on our school website

Interview

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment

Experience

Have a minimum of six months’ experience working as a Classroom Assistant with a child/children with special educational needs

Evidence of using CPOMS to record child protection concerns

Evidence of Adverse Childhood Experience training and Primary Behaviour Support training

Shortlisting by Application Form

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background.

Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer