Nursery Assistant

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) is seeking a Nursery Assistant to support a designated class under the direction of the class teacher. The role involves helping with educational activities, supervising children indoors and outdoors, and contributing to a caring learning environment.

The successful candidate will have a Level 2 qualification and at least 6 weeks in a learning setting, with awareness of health and safety and safeguarding policies.

Qualifications

• Hold a Level 2 or equivalent qualification in a recognised area.
• Minimum 6 weeks experience in a formal learning environment or placement.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements.
• Understanding of child protection and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Support the class teacher to promote a child-centred learning environment.
• Assist with classroom administration and feedback on pupil progress.
• Develop activities indoors and outdoors to aid learning and development.
• Attend in-service training and contribute to staff meetings.

Skills

Planning & Organisation

Follow systems & plans

Team player

Flexibility & creativity

Communication skills

Education

Level 2 qualification (Certificate/Diploma)

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

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.
• participate in motivating and encouraging the children as required.
• participate in supporting identified areas for development, e.g. physical skills, language, behaviour, etc.

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.

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.

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 should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
• 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.

FactorEssential CriteriaMethod Of AssessmentQualifications And Experience

Hold a minimum of a Level 2 (or equivalent)* qualification in a relevant area from a recognised accredited awarding body. *Qualification must be at Certificate or Diploma level. Award level is not acceptable. AND Have a minimum of 6 weeks experience which has been gained through working in a formal learning environment or through a plcement completed as part of your level 2 (or equivalent) qualification.

Sifting by Application Form

Knowledge

• Health and safety requirements
• Development needs of children and/or young people.
• Child protection and safeguarding

Interview/Assessment Skills

• Effective planning and organising skills.
• Ability to follow agreed systems and plans.
• Ability to work as part of team
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively to help ensure a child-centred learning experience.
• Effective and positive communication skills.

Behaviours

• Ability to build positive and supportive relationships.
• Empathy
• Confidentiality

SECTION 2 - 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.

Experience

• Additional Working Experience In a Formal Nursery Environment.
• Specific experience of working with a child/ children with a statement of SEN within a formal nursery setting.
• Specific experience of working with a child/children experiencing Social, Behavioural, Emotional and Wellbeing needs within a formal nursery setting.
• Ability to use digital technologies to assist in learning and the preparation of resources.

Sifting by Application Form and verified at interview

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.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer