Practitioner or Nursery Practitioner

YMCA Fairthorne Group; Test Valley; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free childcare for the hours you work

50% discount on additional days

Up to 30 days holiday + bank holidays

Health Cash Plan

Wellbeing assistance programme

Retail discounts

Gym membership discounts

Cycle to Work

Career development opportunities

Day-camp savings

YMCA discounts

Job summary

YMCA Fairthorne Group in Andover is seeking an Early Years Practitioner to help children learn through play within the EYFS framework. You will build warm relationships, support confidence, independence and communication, and create engaging indoor and outdoor experiences.

The role emphasises inclusive, play-based learning, safeguarding, and collaboration with families and colleagues to help every child thrive.

Qualifications

• Qualified Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Practitioner.
• Studying towards an Early Years qualification.
• Experience in education, SEND, youth work, healthcare, coaching, community services or care is valued.
• Hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification, or relevant transferable experience.

Responsibilities

• As an Early Years Practitioner, build warm relationships with children.
• Help children feel they belong and support confidence and independence.
• Create engaging play-based learning opportunities.
• Follow children's interests and support development under EYFS.
• Observe development and tailor next steps for each child.
• Build positive relationships with parents and carers and work with colleagues.

Education

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner

Working towards EY qualification

Job description

Sometimes the best learning starts with a carefully planned activity. Sometimes it starts with a cardboard box. Both can be equally valuable. As an Early Years Practitioner, you'll:

• build warm and secure relationships with children
• help every child feel that they belong
• support children's confidence, independence and emotional development
• create engaging opportunities to learn through play
• follow children's interests and turn everyday experiences into opportunities for discovery
• support communication, language and social development
• encourage creativity, curiosity and problem-solving
• provide exciting indoor and outdoor experiences
• observe children's development and use what you learn to support what comes next
• build positive relationships with parents and carers
• support children with different needs, experiences and starting points
• work closely with colleagues and share ideas and good practice
• maintain a safe, welcoming and inclusive nursery environment
• keep children safe through excellent safeguarding and Early Years practice.

While you'll work within the EYFS framework and complete observations and records, your focus will always be the children.

We welcome applications from:

• qualified Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years Practitioners
• those studying towards an Early Years qualification
• people with experience in education, SEND, youth work, healthcare, coaching, community services or care
  Hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification, are working towards one, or have relevant transferable experience
• Are caring, patient, dependable and enthusiastic about helping children thrive
• Can build positive relationships with children, parents, carers and colleagues
• Are committed to inclusive, play-based learning and outdoor experiences
• Understand the importance of safeguarding and safe Early Years practice
• Are willing to follow the EYFS framework and complete observations and records
• Can support children with different needs, experiences and starting points
• Are willing to undertake all required safer-recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check

Most importantly, we're looking for people who are caring, dependable, curious and committed to helping children grow in confidence, independence and curiosity.

If you have the right values, we can support your development through training and apprenticeship pathways. More than your next childcare job Joining a YMCA Fairthorne Group Nursery is more than finding your next childcare job. It's an opportunity to shape children's earliest experiences, develop your career in Early Years education, and be part of an organisation dedicated to helping children, young people and families belong, contribute and thrive. If you're looking for an Early Years Practitioner or Nursery Practitioner role in Andover, or you're considering your first step into childcare and Early Years education, we'd love to hear from you.

Safeguarding YMCA Fairthorne Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Equality, diversity and inclusion YMCA Fairthorne Group is committed to creating an inclusive organisation where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect.

A place where children thrive. A career where you can too. There aren't many careers where the moments you create today can shape a child's future. You could be there for a child's first friendship, their growing confidence, or the discovery that sparks a lifelong love of learning. You might help a child solve a problem, ask their hundredth question, or achieve something they've spent weeks trying to master. That's the impact of Early Years education. At our YMCA Fairthorne Group Nursery, we're looking for warm, patient, curious and caring people who want to help children learn, grow and thrive through play-based learning. Whether you're an experienced Early Years Practitioner, hold a Level 2 or Level 3 Childcare qualification, are working towards one, or are considering a career change, we'd love to hear from you.

Our casual hours Early Years Practitioner offers you flexibility throughout your working week. More time for family, friends, hobbies and life outside work.

Welcome to the YMCA Fairthorne Group, Andover, is a purpose-built nursery and community setting in East Anton, caring for children from babies through to preschool age. The nursery is bright, spacious and designed to give children plenty of opportunities to explore, discover and learn through play, with large secure outdoor areas for everyday adventure. And because the nursery sits within a wider YMCA community setting, there is a real sense that children and families are part of something beyond the nursery room. We want children to feel secure enough to explore, confident enough to try and supported enough to develop at their own pace.

A place to play, learn, make friends and feel that they belong. Children learn best when they're actively engaged, curious and having fun. Learning might look like:

• exploring nature outdoors
• building, creating and problem-solving
• investigating how things work
• storytelling, role play and imaginative play
• developing independence, resilience and social skills

We want you to thrive at work and beyond. That's why you'll enjoy:

• Enjoy free childcare for the hours you work, with 50% discount on any additional days required
• Up to 30 days' holiday, plus bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days
• A celebration leave day - an extra day off to celebrate whatever matters to you
• Health Cash Plan and access to a wellbeing assistance programme
• Retail discounts, discounted gym membership and Blue Light Card eligibility
• Career development opportunities to help you learn, progress and achieve your goals
• Fantastic day-camp savings - one free week and one week at 50% off per child, every year
• Discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Manor, including camping, activities, river hire and day camps
• Cycle to Work scheme
• High-quality resources and a modern working environment
• Most importantly, a warm, caring and supportive culture where you'll feel welcomed and valued