Level 3-4 Nursery Practitioner and SENCO

Key Person - Job Description

Overall job role

• To deliver and ensure a high standard of learning, development and care for children aged 0-5 years.
• To support the room manager with the daily running of the room
• To ensure the room and resources are safe and appropriate for children, staff and

others.

• To develop partnerships with parents/carers to increase involvement in their child’s development.
• To take on the role of being a key person, observing, assessing and planning for each individual child

Duties

• To support the management team with the effective daily running of your room
• To have a sound knowledge of Company policies, procedures, and expectations
• To act as an excellent role model to the staff team and children.
• To take responsibility for excellent hygiene, health and safety and security practice within the nursery
• To play a part in planning and providing appropriate daily activities in line with guidance from the EYFS for your key children
• To uphold the highest level of safeguarding practice and ensure company policies and procedures are adhered to at all times

• To carry out observation, assessment and planning in your room, with your key children, ensuring all children are making progress
• To work with outside professionals where required
• To work closely with parents and create trusting relationships with all families
• To work as part of the team within your room and within the wider setting

Qualifications (essential)

• Minimum level 3 in early years or equivalent
• Knowledge of the Early Years Sector
• Good standard of English and Maths at GCSE A-C or equivalent

Relevant experience and Skills (essential)

• Experience of working in a nursery or similar environment
• Experience of being a key person
• Some knowledge of the Early Years Foundation stage
• Experience of working in a team

Personal style and behaviour (essential)

• Excellent verbal communication skills with staff, children and parents

(Essential)

• Able to use written English to write reports and keep clear and accurate records
• Basic Administrative and IT skills
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work under pressure
• Able to work on own initiative
• Calm and caring nature
• Empathy and understanding of children under 5
• Reliable
• Enthusiastic
• Flexible

Other useful skills (desirable)

• Paediatric first aid
• Safeguarding training
• Food hygiene
• Manual handling
• SENCO experience

SENDCO Job description

The role of the SENCO is to ensure that settings have regard to the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice and actively promote inclusive practice.

The SENCO must

• Use a graduated response to intervention
• Talk to, advise and support colleagues who are concerned about a child
• Ensure that relevant background information about individual children is collected, recorded and updated and that all written records are completed
• Liaise with Early Years Advisory Teacher when a child is identified with SEND
• Put into practice target setting or provision mapping and where necessary Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
• Ensure that all practitioners work in partnership with parents/carers
• Liaise with other professionals, including those from outside agencies and make relevant referrals.
• Apply for SEND funding if applicable either Plymouth or Devon and complete reviews when required to ensure funding continues.
• Ensure team receive appropriate SEND training.
• Attend local authority SEND network meetings. 

SENCO’s should take personal responsibility for their continuous professional development by;

• Attending professional development opportunities including external training to support areas for development identified during appraisal
•  Disseminating and sharing key messages relating to SEN with setting staff
• Keeping up to date with SEN initiatives, both nationally and locally as they become available
• Acting in a professional and ethical manner with due regard to confidentiality, data protection and human rights.

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