Nursery Assistant

Education Authority - Northern Ireland; Newtownabbey; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority - Northern Ireland is seeking a Nursery Assistant to support classroom learning and care for children within a designated class. You will work under the teacher’s guidance to foster a safe, engaging environment indoors and outdoors.

The role involves assisting with planning, materials, observation of progress, and contributing to the Healthy Eating and safeguarding policies. It requires teamwork, confidentiality, and flexible, child-centred support.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Have a minimum of 6 weeks experience which has been gained either through working in a formal learning environment or through a placement completed as part of your level 2 (or equivalent) qualification.
• 2+ years working experience in a nursery/learning environment (desirable).
• Specific experience of working with SEN needs and / or other.
• Experience of working as a Classroom Assistant in nursery/primary settings (desirable).
• Experience supporting small group work (desirable).
• Ability to use digital technologies to assist in learning and resources (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Assist with educational support and care of the children in a class, under the direction of the teacher.
• 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.
• Contribute to planning, implementation and review of curriculum areas as directed by the teacher.
• Prepare learning materials and resources under the leadership of the teacher.
• Contribute to planning and display of children’s work.
• Observe, record and evaluate children’s progress as directed by the teacher.
• Set up, clear away and regularly clean equipment.
• Participate in classroom activities and school events.
• Promote positive behaviour and safe environment; assist with personal care as needed.
• Contribute to daily snacks planning and preparation per Healthy Eating Policy.
• Attend in-service training and staff meetings; understand and follow school policies.

Skills

Planning

Organising

Teamwork

Flexibility

Communication

Education

Level 2 qualification

Level 3 qualification

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
• participate in motivating and encouraging the children as required
• participate 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

1. 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.
2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
4. 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.
5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right toshortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet thecriteria for the role.
6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria asoutlined 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.

Qualifications 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 either through working in a formal learning environment or through a placement completed as part of your level 2 (or equivalent) qualification.

Sifting by Application Form

Sifting by Application Form and verified at Interview

Knowledge

• Health and safety requirements
• Development needs of children and/or young people.
• Child protection and safeguarding
• Knowledge of a nurture school.
• Play and how it matters

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.

Interview/Assessment

Behaviours

• Ability to build positive and supportive relationships.
• Empathy
• Confidentiality
• Initiative
• Honest and integrity

Interview

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.

Qualifications and Experience

Hold a minimum of a Level 3 (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.

• 2+ years working experience in a formal learning environment in a nursery school and/or day nursery with nursery age children and/or nursery school attached to a primary school and/or within the Early year’s foundation stage [P1-P2] in a primary school. Work experience does not count in this.
• Specific experience of working with a child/children with SEN needs and / other.
• Experience of working as a Classroom Assistant with pupils in a particular setting i.e. nursery/primary
• Experience supporting small group work.
• Ability to use digital technologies to assist in learning and the preparation of resources.

Sifting 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 youWILLbe 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