Play Worker (Party Host)

Barnardos; Ilford; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Barnardo's offers an exciting opportunity for Play Workers at a soft play center in Crystal Palace. This role involves engaging children through play, promoting their development while ensuring safety. Full training provided; no formal qualifications are needed, just a caring attitude and relevant experience.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Option to buy additional holiday days

Family-friendly leave options

Service-related sick pay from day 1

Group Personal Pension with matched contributions

Death in service cover

Interest-free season ticket loans

Discounts at various retailers

24/7 employee assistance program

Qualifications

• No formal childcare qualifications needed, but relevant experience is necessary.
• Successful candidates will undertake Paediatric First Aid Training and Safeguarding Training.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate soft play parties for children, ensuring safety and enjoyment.
• Monitor safe use of equipment and perform light cleaning duties.

Skills

Organisation

Communication

Customer-facing skills

Flexibility

Education

Relevant training or experience in childcare

Job description

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Barnardo's has a fun and exciting opportunity to join our brilliant team of Play Workers hosting parties at our purpose-built soft play centre in Crystal Palace.

At Barnardo's, we know that play is a critical element of a child's social, emotional, and physical development; it improves self-esteem and resilience. We are seeking Play Workers who can bring their energy, motivation, and commitment to providing high-quality customer service to children and families accessing the soft play centre, ensuring children can enjoy the facilities safely. Engaging with children with a warm, caring approach and a smile is key. Organisation, communication, and customer-facing skills are required, along with flexibility.

Full training will be provided, and no formal childcare or early years qualifications are required, though relevant training or experience in childcare is necessary—this can be voluntary, professional, or personal.

This role is subject to a Disclosure Barring Service check for children and adults.

About the Play Worker role:

Location:

This role is based at Triangle Soft Play Centre, Coxwell Road, Crystal Palace.

Hours:

Sessional working hours will be offered against party/event bookings. Party times are from 09:30 to 12:30 and from 13:00 to 16:30, on Saturdays and Sundays only.

Duties:

Play Workers will facilitate soft play parties for children, monitoring safety and the safe use of soft frame and equipment in line with risk assessments.

There will be light cleaning duties, setting out and putting away of play equipment, and safety checks of a 4-storey soft play frame. Candidates must meet the physical demands of the role.

Successful candidates will be required to undertake Paediatric First Aid Training, Safeguarding Training, and a Barnardo's Induction—provided by Barnardo's. Ongoing training and development opportunities are available through Barnardo's training platform at no cost.

Regular supervision and support will be provided.

For an informal discussion, please contact Daria at 020 8771 0907.

Additional Information:

There are multiple vacancies, and interviews will be held on various dates on a rolling basis. Barnardo's reserves the right to end the vacancy early.

Previous applicants need not apply.

When completing your application, refer to your skills, knowledge, and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description, and Additional Information document, considering the service context.

Benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing after 5 years of service
• Option to buy up to 5 additional days via HolidayPlus
• Family-friendly leave options, including Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption pay
• Service-related sick pay from day 1
• Group Personal Pension with a 4% or 6% matched contribution; options for salary sacrifice
• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings
• Interest-free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback at high street shops, supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, and more
• Option to purchase a health cash plan for dental, glasses, therapy, etc.
• 24/7 employee assistance program
• Access to Barnardo's Corporate University