Nursery Practitioner Level 3-4

Under 2’s Senior Practitioner

Purpose of Post

1 To provide a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for the youngest children placed in the Setting;

2 To give support to other personnel within the Setting;

3 To implement the daily routine in the Under 2’s room and ensure an exciting, stimulating curriculum is planned and implemented. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1 Provide activities suitable to the age range of children in your area in conjunction with other staff;

2 To ensure regular observations of the children, under two, using the computerised record-keeping system;

3 Work with parents/carers of special needs children to give full integration in the setting;

4 Support all staff and engage in a good staff team;

5 Liaise with and support parents/carers and other family members;

6 Be involved in working hours activities, e.g. training, monthly staff meetings, fundraising events;

7 Be flexible within the working practices of the setting. Be prepared to help where needed, including undertaking specific domestic jobs within the setting, e.g. preparation of snack meals, cleansing of equipment, etc.;

8 Work alongside the manager and senior staff team to ensure that the philosophy behind the project is fulfilled;

9 Look upon the setting as a “whole” where your help can be most utilised, and be constantly aware of the needs of children;

10 Ensure the children are collected by someone known to setting;

11 To respect the confidentiality of information received;

12 To develop your role within the team, especially with regard as a key worker;

13 Specific Child Care Tasks:

• The preparation and completion of activities to suit the child's stage of development;

• To ensure that mealtimes are a time of pleasant social sharing;

• Washing and changing children as required;

• Providing comfort and warmth to an ill child;

14 To ensure the Setting of a high-quality environment to meet the needs of individual children from differing cultures and religious backgrounds and stages of development;

Personal Specification

Skills, aptitude, knowledge and experience


• Previous experience of caring for or working with children aged 0-5 in a voluntary or paid capacity


• A commitment to the provision of high-quality childcare


• A positive approach to learning and gaining new skills through teamwork and training opportunities

• Interest in the care, learning and development of children under 2


• An understanding of the EYFS


• An understanding of Montessori

Personal qualities

• Good organisational, record-keeping and planning skills


•Punctuality


• Excellent communication skills with children, colleagues, advisors and parents/carers/carers.

• Patience


• Empathy with children, colleagues and parents/carers/carers


• Reliability and trustworthiness


• A positive approach to inclusive practice with children and colleagues


• Enthusiasm for working with young children

• Flexibility – occasionally, working hours might be changed, e.g. if the Setting hosts a Parent’s Evening


• Able to work in small teams

Qualifications

• Completion of a recognised Level 3 Childcare qualification, e.g. NVQ 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development 

• A positive approach to gaining further qualifications


• Some understanding of the importance of Health & Safety and Food Hygiene in the workplace

• Completion of a recognised Level 4 Childcare qualification, e.g. NVQ 4 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development – or be working towards completion

• Health & Safety certificate


• First Aid certificate


• Completion of other relevant courses

• Childcare Discount
• Company Pension
• Lots of training available
• Free and Confidential, Counselling helpline for staff members and family
• Exclusive staff benefit discount club