Job Description

Opportunities in our Fairstead House Nursery Team

We are keen to hear from experienced and enthusiastic EYFS Nursery Practitioners who are interested in joining our 'Outstanding' Nursery, situated in the heart of Newmarket.

The Setting

Our modern, purpose built Nursery offers full time day care for children aged from 12 months to starting Reception. The Nursery is bright, vibrant and a lovely place to work!

Set within the grounds of Fairstead House School, the Nursery enjoys all the facilities available to the school, including use of the Performing Arts Centre and musical instruments, the Main Hall and gymnastic equipment, together with specialist language, PE and music tuition for the older Nursery children. Fairstead House School joined the King's Ely family of schools in 2022, and staff benefit from being part of the organisation across two sites.

Our small group sizes ensure that each child receives individual, bespoke care and attention. Our friendly and welcoming team of staff are dedicated to providing new challenges for the children in a safe and nurturing environment. We encourage all areas of career development for our staff.

Hours and Remuneration

Ideally full-time, 42 hours over four days per week all year, between the hours of 07:30-18:00 Monday to Friday. Part-time attendance of fewer days will be considered, but the length of day is usually a requirement in order to ensure stability for our children and families. However, if you fit the job description in all other ways and are hoping for slightly shorter hours, please get in touch. There is also the opportunity for experienced staff to join our dedicated team of Bank staff, who work on an ad hoc basis when needed to cover absence for holidays or illness. Start Date: June 2024 Salary: Will be competitive and based upon qualifications and experience
The successful candidate should have a thorough knowledge of the EYFS, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong, supportive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues. The Nursery team are caring, friendly and enthusiastic team players and committed to delivering the highest possible standards of childcare.

Purpose of post:

To provide a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for children placed in the Nursery. To work as part of a team in order to provide an enabling, safe and secure environment in which all individual children can play, develop and learn. To build and maintain strong partnerships working with parents to enable children's needs to be met.
Main responsibilities and duties:

To support the Nursery's commitment to safeguarding children. To work within our Early Years Team, supporting the planning and implementation of activities with individual or groups of children; promoting effective teaching and learning. To be part of our Early Years Team that provides a purposeful, stimulating environment rich in learning opportunities, both indoors and outdoors. To promote the inclusion of all children. To use professional knowledge of the individual and diverse ways that children learn and develop to meet their differing needs. To establish positive and sensitive relationships with children, to act as a role model and set achievable expectations. To be responsible for organising the environment inside and outside to ensure that resources and equipment are available and appropriate to meet the needs of the individual children in the group. These activities will take into account children's abilities, interests, language and cultural backgrounds. To meet the physical needs of children and encourage good standards of personal hygiene whilst promoting independence. To provide support for the children's' emotional and social needs by implementing the principles of the Nursery's Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy and role modelling high standards in all aspects of their role an personal conduct. To encourage children to interact and work co-operatively with others. To provide objective and accurate feedback and reports for parents and other professionals on children's achievements, progress and related matters. To develop positive and sensitive relationships with parents and carers to support this role in children's learning. To provide constructive feedback on children's progress/achievement, on a day-to-day basis or through parent meetings. To have a clear knowledge of and adhere to all Health & Safety Regulations. To comply and assist with the development of policies and procedures. To be proactive in the continuation of your own learning to improve the outcomes for children and their families. To attend meetings as required and participate in training opportunities and performance development. To be flexible within working practices of the Nursery, undertaking other responsible duties where needed, such as domestic tasks, preparation of snack meals, cleaning of equipment, etc.
This description is not exhaustive and may well be subject to change over time. The intention is to offer candidates an accurate impression of the expectations commensurate with the post and an outline of the role as it is envisaged at this time.

Person Specification

Specialist skills and experience

- Essential:

Commitment to ongoing personal development & training The flexibility to work with children from one to four years old Possess a proven ability to empathise and relate positively to parents and children, having a desire to make the nursery experience positive for each family. Professional curiosity about developments within Early Years education Possession of a level of general computer literacy with a range of IT skills A flexible skill set to enable you to take on other responsibilities or duties as deemed necessary within the EYFS.

Specialist skills and experience

- Ideal:

Minimum of a relevant and recognised Level 2 qualification in childcare Current Paediatric First Aid Certificate Basic Food Hygiene qualification Experience of working in an Early Years setting Experience of implementation of EYFS Experience of working in partnership with parents Knowledge of legislation relevant to the Early Years Foundation Stage, Ofsted, and ISI. Knowledge of child development and children's individual needs. Awareness of age and stage appropriate Health & Safety procedures and precautions. A thorough understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures Good organisational skills The ability to demonstrate creative abilities

Specialist skills and Experience

- Desirable:

Level 6 qualified in early childhood education deemed full and relevant for 1:13 ratio Specialist subject or area knowledge, such as cookery or gardening, which you would be able to share with the children.

Personal Qualities -

Essential:

Show a lively and energetic approach to working with children, balanced by an ability to empathise, support, and nurture children in the setting. To understand that children require bespoke support because they play and learn in many different ways. Ability to communicate well with a variety of adults and children. Enjoy working in a highly motivated team.

Terms and Conditions

Enrolment in the statutory auto-enrolment pension scheme. The employer and employee contribution rates for the auto-enrolment pension scheme are currently: Employee contribution 5% and Employer contribution 3%. Annual Leave: 28 days' paid holiday pro rata per annum, including Bank and Public holidays (usually 3 days of which must be taken during a whole school shutdown at Christmas). This is 22.4 days if working 4 days per week. Members of staff may educate their own children at Fairstead House or King's Ely, subject to availability of places and successful admissions procedures. Staff currently enjoy a discretionary discount on fees, details of which will be provided upon request. The School offers a private healthcare insurance scheme, which staff may opt to join, at their expense, shortly after the start of each academic year (the policy starts on 1st November each year). The scheme can only be joined at the start of the policy year, not part-way through the year. School lunch provided when at work over lunch time and tea and coffee throughout the day. Limited use of school gym facilities (during specific times) and use of the school swimming pool at specific times (during summer school holidays - small fee applies) at the King's Ely site. Limited free on-site parking. King's Ely is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service. If you are selected for interview, you will need to provide proof of identity, birth certificate, documentation confirming your National Insurance Number or your right to work in the United Kingdom and certification of qualifications.
We appreciate your effort in completing this application and for your interest in working for Fairstead House Nursery.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 26,666.64-28,173.60 per year

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Employee discount Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking
Schedule:

10 hour shift Monday to Friday No weekends
Work Location: In person