Early Years Practitioner

Early Years Practitioner

Position Summary

The Early Years Practitioner provides an outstanding learning environment and develops our youngest pupils to become Motivated, Engaged and Thinkers.

• Hours of Work 8.00 am - 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Term-time only.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a skilled Practitioner, you will:

• Be a Key-Carer for a small group of children whom you will be responsible for writing and evaluating observations, planning for the next steps, taking and uploading photos/videos to the Early Years Learning Journals, writing reports, meeting with parents, groups and key-group planning, liaising with outside professionals where required
• Support, extend and record children's learning and development, showing an understanding of children's development to plan the next steps and support their individual needs
• Deliver the highest quality care and education to ensure that all children reach their full potential
• Develop strong professional relationships with children, parents, carers and staff
• Work with small groups of children or individuals to teach through the child's play, covering all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum inside and outside
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of the pupils, maintaining a constant awareness of all issues relating to child protection
• Set a positive example to all children by showing a personal and professional attitude of cooperation, consideration and caring relationships with all members of the school
• Be prepared to work 1:1 with children requiring intervention
• Work with small groups of children for adult-led or directed work
• Occasionally take the whole group as directed by the Classroom Leader and agreed by the Head of Year and/or Head of Early Years, e.g., taking the register, reading a story, delivering a focused activity
• Give feedback to support assessments
• Liaise with parents as required at the start and end of the day when they arrive with and pick up their children
• Understand and support the emotional and social needs of the children
• Set up the classroom with the Classroom Leader for any activities that will be taking place during the day
• Be able to manage positive behaviour within age-appropriate expectations
• Attend to any child who becomes ill or injured during the day and seek appropriate assistance
• Support children with toileting and personal care when needed, including children who are not yet toilet-trained

• Visit the library with children and support the development of pre-reading skills
• Take children to their 'specialist teacher' lessons, e.g., dance, music etc. and stay with them during the lesson to support the teacher
• Take children to extra-curricular activities or extended day
• Share outside supervision and engaging in their play, including setting out and putting away equipment
• Support Teachers and Classroom Leaders with year-group productions
• Support the children through daily activities such as lunch and snack, ensuring their safety as they eat
• To meet with parents at termly parents evenings and write an end of year report for your key children explaining their development progress and next steps.

Person Specification and Qualifications

Essential

• Level 2 essential, level 3 desirable or above in Child Development or equivalent qualification
• A firm understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and child development with a solid knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children
• Knowledge of Health and Safety issues
• Previous experience with children aged 2 to 5 years
• Good communication skills (spoken and written) with both adults and children, with the desire to work and play with the children, demonstrating positive behaviour management skills
• Act with the highest integrity and professionalism, showing discretion and confidentiality at all times
• Ability to build and maintain successful relationships with pupils, treating them with respect and consideration

Desirable

• A caring and flexible approach to working
• Previous experience using online learning journals
• Current paediatric first aid certificate
• Knowledge and understanding of EAL and SEN
• Knowledge of childhood games and activities
• Have good ICT and Interactive White Board knowledge and skills
• A broad understanding of different pedagogies and when to use them in practice