PLAY ASSISTANT - Twinkle Stars Flying Start

Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 11,000 - 14,000; Part time

Job summary

Twinkle Stars Flying Start childcare setting in Cardiff is seeking 2 Play Assistants to join our team. You will be directly employed by Cardiff Council and work at the Twinkle Stars setting located in Moorlands Primary School grounds, serving 2-3 year olds, Monday to Friday with scheduled hours and a term-time only pattern.

The role focuses on providing engaging, outdoor and indoor play, learning through play, and creating a safe, welcoming environment for children and families.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of working with babies and/or children under age 5 – this could be in a paid job, as a volunteer or as part of your training
• Experience of contributing to effective teamwork – this could be in your paid job, as a volunteer or through college/training experiences of teamwork
• Experience of following safeguarding procedures to protect children and families – this could be experience of following the procedures in your work, voluntary role or training; or learning about the policies and a knowledge of how to follow them

Responsibilities

• The Play Assistant will be able to plan effectively for children’s learning, be fun and engaging.
• The Play Assistants will play a key part in joining an experienced team of staff who provide engaging and fun play experiences for children aged 2-3 years.

Skills

Experience with babies/children

Teamwork

Safeguarding procedures

Job description

An exciting opportunity has become available at our Flying Start Childcare setting, to work under the Cardiff Council childcare provisions. We are looking for 2 Play Assistant to join our team at Twinkle Stars.

Twinkle Stars Flying Start childcare setting serves the communities of Splott, Tremorfa, Adamsdown and Roath. We are proud to be a warm and welcoming setting based in the heart of the community, that provides high-quality childcare for 2-3 year olds, Monday to Friday, as part of Flying Start provision. We are based in the grounds of Moorlands Primary School.

Parents whose children have attended Twinkle Stars have said:

“I am so grateful to the staff they helped my son and can see a huge improvement. They listened to us about concerns for our son and did all they could to support us. Can’t fault any of them. Our son loves going there”.

A member of staff has said:

' I love working at Twinkle Star. The support from management is amazing, they are always there if you need anything. They are happy to offer opportunities for you to develop professionally and also learn new skills. I have worked in a few childcare settings and Twinkle Star has supported me the most, in my professional develop to carry out my job confidently. If you have a passion for working with children, Twinkle Star is the setting you would want to work for. '

Here's what the Care Inspectorate Wales said in our last inspection:

'Practitioners provide a nurturing and caring environment where the needs of the children come first. ........... The indoor and outdoor play areas provide a rich learning environment for children to explore and learn, and practitioners adapt the provision and resources in response to children's interests.'

Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme targeted at children under 4 years of age and their families. Part‑time childcare for 2-3 year olds is one part of the Flying Start offer.

Twinkle Stars Flying Start childcare setting is part of Cardiff Council’s Cardiff Parenting and Play Service, in Cardiff Early Help. You can learn more about elements of Early Help by visiting the website www.cardifffamilies.co.uk .

The childcare setting is supported by a committed and dedicated leadership team within Cardiff Parenting and Play. We are part of a wider multi agency team of professionals who deliver Parenting and Play Services across Cardiff. This provides opportunities for support to staff, excellent training opportunities and career progression.

We also post on our Facebook pages – search for Cardiff Parenting – Rhianta Caerdydd to find out more.

About the job

We are looking for 2 Play Assistants to join our childcare team at Twinkle Stars. You will be directly employed by Cardiff Council to work at the setting.

The Play Assistants will play a key part in joining an experienced team of staff who provide engaging and fun play experiences for children aged 2-3 years. We welcome new and exciting ideas from successful candidates for children to learn through play and being outdoors. The Play Assistant will be able to plan effectively for children’s learning, be fun and engaging.

Twinkle Stars Flying Start childcare setting is open to children Monday to Friday 9am-11:30am and 12:30pm-3pm. The hours of the job are 8:30am-3:30pm Monday to Friday, with a 4:30pm finish one night a week to attend a team meeting. The paid hours are 33.5 hours a week term time only. Every day includes a 30 minute unpaid lunch break.

The Play Assistants will have a commitment to children’s development and ensuring that the children and families feel safe, valued and respected at all times.

Cardiff council we take the welfare of all of our staff seriously and we strive to deliver positive working arrangements that support our amazing workforce to feel respected and valued. Here’s some examples of how we try to achieve this, with opportunities for you as an employee:

• Excellent training and development opportunities provided by a knowledgeable and dedicated workforce development team whether you are newly qualified or an experienced practitioner who is an expert in your field.
• Opportunities for career development across the whole of Cardiff Early Help Team – we encourage career progression and support employees with ensuring that they have access to develop their strengths in all fields.
• Support provided through mentorship, supervision and a senior management team that recognises achievements and celebrates success.

You will be supported with an induction and ongoing line management, supervision and professional development.

What We Are Looking For From You

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our already established team.

• Proven experience of working with babies and/or children under age 5 – this could be in a paid job, as a volunteer or as part of your training
• Experience of contributing to effective teamwork – this could be in your paid job, as a volunteer or through college/training experiences of teamwork
• Experience of following safeguarding procedures to protect children and families – this could be experience of following the procedures in your work, voluntary role or training; or learning about the policies and a knowledge of how to follow them

Please see the job description and personal specification for further information. Applicants will be required to show they meet all of the essential requirements in the person specification in order to be invited to an interview. Please also look at the desirable criteria and include your experiences against these.

This role is part-time at 33.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year. The advertised salary is based on a full-time role (37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year). The actual salary will be lower than the advertised salary because of the part-time hours and weeks worked.

This post is temporary until 31st March 2028, but could be extended.

Additional information

If you require additional support to complete the Play Assistant job application, our Into Work Advice Service team can help you.

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well‑being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.

This post is temporary until 31st March 2028.

Internal candidates who wish to apply for this position on a secondment basis must obtain approval prior to application using Form SEC1 (4.C.081). Requests may only be approved by the relevant Director/ Assistant Director/ Chief Officer or senior nominated officer graded no lower than OM2 or in the case of schools based staff the Headteacher / Governing Body.

This post is part time and will work 33.50 hours per week, 39 weeks per year. The salary shown however relates to 37 hours per week and will therefore be pro-rata'd accordingly.

We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.

We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own.

Please note the Council does not accept CV’s. When completing the supporting information section of your application, please ensure you refer to the below located on our website :

Important information you need read in order to complete your application:-

Job Category Social Services - Childrens

Working Pattern/Contract Type Part Time Temporary (Term Time)