Job Description

Position

Apprentice Early Years Educator

Responsible to:

Manager/Directors

Job Purpose:

To work as an effective member of the team in the provision of high quality inclusive play and learning opportunities for all children attending the setting. To work alongside colleagues to provide a safe, welcoming, purposeful, stimulating and encouraging environment both indoors and outdoors.

Hours of work:

To be discussed in conjunction with the Manager.

On a flexible rota basis (set by the manager) between 8am - 6pm

Main Duties and Practice:

Planning and Organisation -To support and participate in the individualised planning for key children and delivery of the EYFS curriculum, indoors and outdoors, in accordance with the 7 areas of learning and Characteristics of Effective learning

To help set up the learning environment for the day and to tidy away at the end of each session, ensuring that all toys and equipment are clean and safe at all times.

Implement risk assessments, as delegated, to ensure the well -being of children and adults in the setting.

To assist with the planning of activities and the continual enhancement of the learning environment (Quality improvement)

High quality practice

To interact and play with children and keep up-to-date with current outstanding practice

To be flexible, responsible and caring at all times

To be supported to identify children's individual needs - SEN, EAL and cultural diversity

To act as a key person for a group of children and their families with the support of training and a mentor

To observe and record children's developmental progress and record in their learning journey. Ensure all Key children's records are up to date and monitored as part of the development matters.

Support all children to develop skills and schemas.

To be an active member of the team, interact and communicate effectively and professionally with fellow colleagues working as part of a team. To support the Daycare Manager with new initiatives and development planning An enthusiastic approach to working with early years children The ability to respond flexibility to changing requirements, however these may be caused Demonstrate excellent inter-personal skills, including the ability to use judgement and common sense, and be able to work on own initiative.
Ensuring confidentiality is maintained at all times.

To liaise with staff and parents/carers, ensuring the smooth daily running of the setting is maintained. To seek support if necessary. Ensure that all concerns and complaints are dealt with in a professional manner and in accordance with policies and procedures.

Attend regular team meetings, professional development days and supervisions/appraisals

To promote smooth transitions for children seeking support if needed

Knowledgeable about the typical development and Characteristics of learning for all aged children within the setting. This will be supported alongside educational training and setting.

Aware of the large difference in development between children who are 'just two' and those approaching their third birthday.

Aware when children need comforting and respond in an appropriate way that provides that comfort.

Focused on teaching children through the three prime areas of learning

Attentive to children's care needs and use times caring for them as an opportunity to help children's learning.

Giving children time to be familiar, small group and opportunity to be in smaller, quieter areas for play

To participate in children's food times, serving food and acting as a role model to help develop eating abilities and establish healthy eating. Ensuring all allergies and special diets are identified and supported. To seek support if required.

Patient, attentive and allow non-verbal children and all children to express their ideas.

Skilled at working in partnership with parents and carers and recognition that parents/carers are the main educators. To attend and take an active part in information sharing sessions for parents and children. To liaise with parents/carers about children's individual needs, development needs and learning styles - Schemas
Listening to children and responding to children's verbal and non-verbal communication rather than interrupting children.

Gently talkative with children and are not put off when there is no response or waiting for children to respond in their own time.

Support children when they are managing their feeling and behavioural responses. Not reactive when children display a tantrum.

Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times

You will be able to:

Continue to develop children's language to communicate verbally - children may use single words, they may string single words together or use language that is hard for adults to discern

Show interest in children through them learning and immersing themselves in play. Have awareness that children may play 'side by side', although they may be less willing to share resources.

Watch other educators and learn from their good practice seeking support and training from your mentor or Managers.

Know how to deal with conflicts and ask for guidance if needed.

Begin to develop children's independence - some children will often state 'me do it' and 'no'

Use physical opportunities to get children to express themselves

Experience

A commitment to training and continual development within the setting and within the chosen educational setting. Ability and commitment to work as part of a team

Health and Safety

To take responsibility for your own health and safety and to comply with the and whole centre policies. To implement and monitor health and safety procedures. E.g. evacuations, entrance systems and collection of children. To competently implement the Safeguarding Children policy and procedures, supporting fellow team members in the event of an incident and reporting any concerns immediately and appropriately to the daycare manager To monitor the condition of all equipment and materials to ensure all Health and Safety Policies are implemented, and to take any necessary action for faults/defects identified and remedied and to ensure any faulty equipment is removed from use immediately. To ensure you take a shared responsibility for health, safety, hygiene and cleanliness throughout the daycare Ensure the general cleanliness of the children at all times and encourage the children to develop an awareness of personal hygiene, e.g. washing and toileting Operate the highest standard of hygiene and cleanliness in all areas, with particular reference to the bedding, nappy changing area and food handling areas. Liaise with the Manager and parents/carers ensuring the appropriate control of infection and illness, and take action if necessary Implement the Medication and First Aid Policies

Other duties

To undertake any reasonable duties as directed by your mentor or Manager/Deputy accordance with the settings objectives and the Settings development planning.

Working towards an Early Years qualification in Early Years care and education (or working towards)

Level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education. First Aid Certificate Up to date safeguarding children training Food hygiene

Experience

Experience of working with children Experience of working with children and their families

Abilities and Knowledge

An enthusiastic approach to working with children and their families Ability to work closely and constructively with children. Awareness and understanding of diversity and equality issues Recognise that parents/carers are the main educators To work as part of a team communicating effectively To have knowledge and understanding of providing high quality childcare and education. Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum

Skills

Effective communication skills Flexibility Committed to working as part of the team Initiative

Additional requirements

Hands on approach to working with children and their families Imagination
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Apprenticeship

Pay: From 7.55 per hour

Benefits:

Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: In person