Job Title: Early Years Educator
Contract: Full-time, Part-time and Fixed Term. The fixed-term post is until 24 December 2025 to cover a period of maternity leave for a permanent member of staff. Please see General Information.
Hours: Your hours of work are as required to perform the duties of your role, for a full-time employee this is normally 38 hours per week. Full time 38 hours and Part time 18 hours per week.
Salary: £26,255.98 - 27,337.84 per annum
Department: Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery - UECS
Purpose of job: To offer high quality care and education for children in accordance with established policies and procedures of the day nursery.
Duties of the Post:
Early Years Educator
- To be an effective key person, responsible for planning and implementing learning opportunities specific to the needs and interests of key children.
- To develop and maintain a stimulating environment in which children are encouraged to socialise and develop to their full potential.
- To liaise with other professionals when needed to maximise the opportunities for your key children to develop to their full potential.
- To work closely with parents, meeting on a regular basis to keep them informed of their child’s developments.
- To value outdoor learning and actively engage in outdoor learning experiences, planning activities and observing learning in the same way as the indoor leaning environment is used.
- To care for the wellbeing of the children, washing after ‘accidents’, first aid and care of children taken ill until parents collect them.
- To work as part of a team and act as a buddy and key person when needed.
- To help create attractive displays of children’s work and ensure they are presentable at all times.
- To set up and serve snacks and lunch to a group of children, and clear away afterwards.
- To maintain a high standard of hygiene, cleanliness and safety in all areas of the Day Nursery and at the end of the day, to enable cleaning staff to thoroughly clean the rooms.
- To participate in running the summer vacation Holiday Club if needed.
- To attend staff meetings and training to keep up to date with legislation and strategies of best practice.
- It is expected that in emergency and unusual situations all staff will help with whatever duties are necessary to ensure the effective operation of the Day Nursery.
General duties of the post will include:
- To adhere to the expectations of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- To follow Ofsted requirements and develop an outstanding Early Years Environment.
- To be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of all children in the Day Nursery at all times.
- To ensure you have an up to date Safeguarding Certificate.
- To exhibit the highest standards of service and friendliness and to maintain at all times a high standard of professionalism especially in relation to work practices, confidentiality and integrity.
- To be committed to equal opportunities.
- To follow health and Safety guidelines at all times
- Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the General Manager or their nominee
These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to undertake. They may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances.
Terms of Appointment
For a full description of the terms of appointment for this post please visit our website.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE: Early Years Educator REQ09422
Qualifications /Training
- NVQ level 3 childcare or equivalent - ESSENTIAL
- Paediatric First Aid - DESIRABLE
Experience/Knowledge
- Previous experience in childcare setting - ESSENTIAL
- Experience of working with children under the age of 5 - ESSENTIAL
- Understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage - ESSENTIAL
- Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment - DESIRABLE
Skills/Abilities
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with children, parents and colleagues - ESSENTIAL
- Excellent organisation skills - ESSENTIAL
- Basic IT skills to keep children's development records up to date using an online journal - ESSENTIAL
- Good team player - ESSENTIAL
Other
- Ability to meet the requirements of UK ‘right to work’ legislation - ESSENTIAL
- The ability to fulfil the requirements of a DBS check - ESSENTIAL
- To maintain a confident and professional approach - ESSENTIAL
- To undertake the physical aspects of the post - ESSENTIAL
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery
You can find more information about the department at the following:
http://www.wivenhoeparkdaynursery.co.uk/
General information
Informal enquiries may be made to Lucy Rose, Nursery manager (telephone: 01206 873224 e-mail: [email protected] ). However, all applications must be made online at:
https://vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC109DF.register?VACANCY_ID%3d820247ansV%1bSPECULATIVE_ID%3d%1BUSESSION=2A56AC87B6AAF0501151CEF74B8C23DA&WVID=9918109NEm&LANG=USA&WVID=9918109NEm&CONT=GUEST
The following appointments are available:
3 x Full time permanent 38 hours per week
1 x Part time permanent 18 hours per week
1 x Fixed Term until December 2025 maternity cover
The fixed term post is until 24 December 2025 in order to provide cover for a permanent member of staff who is absent from work on maternity leave. You should note that there is provision in the terms of appointment for this fixed-term post to end earlier by due notice (1 month), if the permanent member of staff decides to return early to her post.
Please state clearly on your application, which role you are applying form.
Salary:
We advertise our salaries on a range to indicate the trajectory of progression that can be made dependent on qualification and experience. Appointments are usually made at the start of the salary range.
Due to the nature of the work, applicants who are offered employment will be subject to an Enhanced DBS before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of all cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions.
We encourage applicants to provide details of all warnings, reprimands, cautions or criminal offences at an early stage in the application process. Should you wish to declare such information, please email the Resourcing Team in confidence, ([email protected]) attaching brief details. We guarantee that this information is shared only with the recruiting manager.
A copy of the University of Essex policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on the University website: https://www.essex.ac.uk/staff/recruiting-staff/recruitment-of-ex-offenders-and- disclosure-and-barring-service
Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us – this will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background to your offence.
Any applicants that are offered employment will be subject to completion of enhanced referencing before appointment can be confirmed. To satisfy the enhanced referencing you will need to provide the names of referees who can cover a 3 year employment/ Education history. If you have not been in employment or education for any period over 1 month in the past 3 years please provide details of a person who is not a member of your immediate family or a close personal friend who will be able to confirm your suitability for the role.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £26,255.98-£27,337.84 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Licence/Certification:
- NVQ Level 3 childcare or equivalent qualification (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
