Preschool Early Years SENCO Practitioner

Early Years SENCO/Practitioner - Term Time Only - up to 32 hours per week

Portishead Preschool is based in Portishead and has been operating within the community for over 60 years, it is a charity run setting, offering breakfast and after school clubs.

We are now looking for a new SENCO to join the team at Brampton Pre-School, to provide great learning opportunities for children and co-ordinate provision in the setting for children with SEND.

Main Duties:

• To provide high quality education and learning and offer appropriate stimulation and support to children attending the setting.
• To ensure that the welfare and safety of children is promoted within the setting and that any child protection concerns are always appropriately acted upon immediately.
• To act as keyperson for a number of children – liaising closely with parents/carers and ensuring each child’s needs are recognised and met. Including keeping up to date Learning summaries and planning next steps.
• Implement observations and record keeping so that children’s attainment and progress are effectively and regularly assessed.
• To help ensure records are properly maintained and updated, e.g. daily attendance register, accident and incident book, children’s progress records
• To liaise closely with parents/carers, informing them about the pre-school and its curriculum, exchanging information about children’s progress, and encouraging parental involvement.
• To help ensure that the pre-school is a safe environment for children, staff, and others, that equipment is safe, standards of hygiene are high, and safety procedures are implemented at all times.
• To work as a team to help implement any recommendations made following regulatory inspections. (OFSTED)
• To contribute to and to help implement all pre-school policies and procedures
• To help ensure that children attending the setting receive a balanced and healthy diet at snack time.
• To help set up the classroom for the daily program of activities and to help tidy away at the end of each session
• To attend any conferences, training events or meetings as identified by the Manager and to keep up-to-date with current good practice.
• To assist Manager/Deputy and work as a team to ensure that accurate and up-to-date record keeping systems are kept e.g. children’s records of progress, learning summaries, behavioral and developmental reports, safeguarding and health and safety issues.
• To ensure all records on children with SEND are maintained and relevant information is passed to reception class teachers and school SENCOs at transition.
• Liaise with other relevant agencies on the delivery of SEND provision and the individual needs of children with SEND and in conjunction with the manager, ensure that relevant external referrals are made
• A commitment to promoting an ethos of effective inclusion to all users, visitors, staff, and the local community.
• To adhere to GDPR and DPA regulations
• Actively take part in fundraising activities.

Person Specification

• Proven experience of working as a SENCO at a pre-school setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of people including parents, committee, Ofsted, staff, and children verbally and in writing.
• A minimum of Level 3 early year’s education and childcare qualification or
• equivalent.
• Sound understanding of child development and of children’s needs.
• To have excellent knowledge of Early years foundation stage (EYFS) and support planning of the pre-school curriculum, taking into account the SEND Code of Practice, current legislation relevant to the early years child protection procedures and equal opportunities’ considerations.
• Ability to work with parents and families to encourage their involvement.
• Ability to supervise children effectively.
• Commitment to equal opportunities and an understanding of equality and diversity issues.
• Paediatrics first aid certificate
• Recent safeguarding training
• Food hygiene
• Knowledge and experience of alternative communication such as Makaton or the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and does require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check and written references.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £14.00 per hour

Expected hours: 32 per week

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 01/07/2025