Senior Nursery Practitioner at Caring Kindergartens Milton Keynes

Caring Kindergartens Ltd; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work culture

Discounts

Fee discount for staff

Festive time off

Training access

Career development

Nurture programme

Employee support

Staff app

Inclusion from day one

Job summary

Caring Kindergartens Ltd in Milton Keynes is seeking a Level 3 qualified childcare practitioner to join our nursery team, leading a small group of children and tracking their progress within the EYFS framework. You will plan engaging activities, support development through play, maintain hygiene standards, and work with colleagues to provide a safe, nurturing environment where every child thrives.

We offer a supportive culture, ongoing training, staff discounts on fees, and opportunities across

Qualifications

• Level 3 childcare qualification recognised by the Department for Education.
• Good understanding of the EYFS framework.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Good safeguarding practices understanding.
• Previous childcare experience in an early years setting is desirable.
• Cleared DBS check.
• Ability to extend children’s learning through high quality experiences.
• Ability to manage a group of key children.
• Strong communication skills with adults and children.
• Commitment to reflective practice and self-development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team and act as key worker for a group of children, observing, recording and assessing progress with observations and photos.
• Develop high quality interactions to extend children’s thinking and learning.
• Plan, prepare and deliver a wide range of play experiences promoting physical, intellectual and emotional development.
• Ensure activities are aligned with each child’s next steps, observations and interests per EYFS.
• Support each child in developing self-esteem, confidence and competence.
• Provide a positive model of behaviour with children and families.
• Attend training/workshops to stay updated on issues, legislation and practices.
• Maintain hygiene standards per Caring Kindergartens policies.
• Collaborate with colleagues to create a positive nursery team.

Skills

Team leadership

Observation & assessment

EYFS knowledge

English proficiency

Communication

Self-development

Education

Level 3 childcare qualification

Job description

At Caring Kindergartens, children are at the heart of everything we do, so we are currently looking for individuals to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. From a fairy godmother one day to firefighter the next, no two days are ever the same.

For this role, you will need a Level 3 qualification in childcare, be dedicated to your career progression and have the understanding that all children are unique and how their achievements should be celebrated whilst they are made to feel cherished and well cared for.

Duties

• To leada team and actas key worker for a group of children –observing, recording and assessing their progress and development through the use of observations supported with photographic evidence;
• To develop high quality interactions with children, to build on and extend their thinking and learning;
• To plan, prepare and deliver a wide range of play experiences that promotes children’s physical, intellectual and emotional development;
• To ensure planned activities are drawn from children’s next steps, observations and interests as required within the EYFS framework;
• To support each child in developing self-esteem, confidence and feelings of competence;
• To provide a positive model of behaviour by treating children, families and one another with friendliness, care and courtesy;
• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current issues, legislation and practices through attending regular training and workshops that promote personal and professional development;
• To be aware of hygiene standards and ensure that these are met in accordance with Caring Kindergartens policies;
• To work collaboratively with fellow colleagues to create a positive, proactive and effective nursery team.

To be successful in your application, you will need:

• A suitable Level 3 childcare qualification, recognised by the Department for Education.
• A good understanding of the EYFS
• Excellent understanding of the English language, spoken and written
• A good understanding of safeguarding practices
• Previous childcare experience in an early year setting
• Cleared DBS check
• The ability to extend children’s learning, through high quality experiences and activities
• Ability to manage a group of key children
• Good communication skills with both adult and children
• Be committed to reflective practice and self-development

Our safe and secure enabling environments ensure that fun and learning remains active and that everyone has the opportunity to develop through their own interests and deep level involvement.

The nursery is easily accessible from all local areas including surrounding villages.

What are the benefits for working at Caring Kindergartens:

• A brilliant work culture, celebrating success and achievements of our teams and the individuals within them. We consider ourselves to be like a family, therefore we care about everyone and their wellbeing, as happy staff make happy children;
• We all deserve a treat so we offer a wide variety of discounts across high street brands, travel, utilities and days out;
• Financial support for our working parents, offering 60% discount on fees for all children that attend the nursery;
• We fully understand how Christmas and New Year is a time for family and friends (and some Christmas TV too) so we guarantee you time off over the festive period;
• Not only will we provide you with the training and access to platforms you require to carry out your role, but we’ll also regularly meet to check in with how you are getting on, working together to create an amazing, safe environment for you to ask questions and share thought, no matter how small.
• We are invested in your development, so for every stage of your career, we will tailor make your individual journey, with opportunities across our chain of nurseries;
• We can provide you with access to our NURTURE programme, preparing you to step into your next position within Early Years;
• Your health and wellbeing are very important to us, we offer every member ongoing internal support, along with an Employee Assistance Programme;
• To help keep worklife organised, funand all in one place, we have an internal employee app to support staff to manage work rotas, book annual leave, access documents and policies, along with it's very own social media platform where activities, ideas and team challenges are regularly shared;
• Day One Inclusion – Every member of staff has the same rights as everyone else from their very first day with Caring Kindergartens.