Nursery Assistant 1:1

We are looking for a Nursery Assistant on a 1:1 basis looking after a child with SEN,  (experience within an Early Years setting and/or level L2 in Early Years desirable ) to join our nursery at Cold Harbour at Milton Keynes. 

The position is 15 hours per week, Monday-Friday. We can be flexible on how the hours are split across the week.

Our day nursery is adjoined to an outdoor learning centre that builds on our popular Forest School provision and reputation for Forest School training. One of our key priorities is outdoor play and learning, which is clearly evident at Cold Harbour, where the outdoor environment and play area are available to the children all day, every day.  

The nursery offers full and part-time care for up to 62 children from the age of four months to four years, and are open from 7.30am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. 

The team strive to make the nursery a place where positive and close relationships with children and parents are welcomed and valued. They believe it is important to create a home from home experience where children feel happy, safe and secure, and as a result, thrive within our nursery.

Our Nature Kindergarten hosts outdoor playschemes, bushcraft and forest school sessions, all year round. With an additional 16 term-time places available.

Acorn has recently been awarded a 'Top 20 Nursery Group 2022' Award by Day Nurseries in recognition of its high customer reviews over the last 12 months. 

We’re proud to be one of the leading childcare providers in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Bedford with over 25 years’ experience who specialise in nature pedagogy and promoting the professional development of our employees.

You will be rewarded with a competitive salary, great training and progression opportunities, enhanced pension contributions, and 75% childcare discount. As a not-for-profit organisation, Acorn always puts the needs of the children first, meaning you will be working for a business that cares about more than just profit. We close our nurseries for four days a year to allow days to train our staff in a variety of subjects. 

The role is 15 hours per week working between 1300 and 18.00 Monday, Wednesday and Friday on a term time basis. The role is funded until August 2024, following this other roles will be discussed nearer the time. 

We very much welcome candidates that are looking to progress their personal career development.

 Expectations

-          To have a good understanding of Acorn’s core values, ethos and policies and ensure these are reflected in practice

-          A high-quality provision to support children’s learning across the curriculum 

-          To value parents as partners

-          For all children to be happy, confident, self-assured and independent

-          Effective communication with management, staff, children and parents

-          To role model outstanding practice and positive behaviour management

The ideal candidate will be passionate, motivated and enthusiastic about outdoor learning and creative play, as well as a good working knowledge and practice of the EYFS and safeguarding procedures. 

Successful applicants must be able to provide ‘right to work in the UK’ documentation, provide two satisfactory references and undertake an enhanced DBS check prior commencing employment.

INDLP

Working at Acorn

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

• Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually
• Childcare discount – nothing should be a barrier to your career
• Generous family leave – supporting you to support your family
• Christmas closure – Santa doesn’t wait for anyone
• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more) – even superheroes need time off
• 4 dedicated training days and individual development plans – investing in you for the whole journey
• Enhanced pension scheme – not as far away as you think ?
• Cyclescheme – helping you get back on the saddle
• Techscheme – making a brand new laptop a little more affordable
• Length of Service awards – time with us means treats for you
• Summer and Christmas parties – all work and no play is a myth
• Pay advances for when times are tough
• Employee assistance wellbeing programme – because you matter to us