Job summary
Abacus Nursery are looking for Childcare Practitioners qualified to a Level 3, who are experienced, enthusiastic, flexible and looking for a new challenge. Abacus Nursery offers training opportunities, team work and a fantastic working environment. We provide day care for children from 6 moths to 5 years, in a large spacious, purpose built nursery on the Pinderfields Hospital site.
We have the following vacancies available:
- 2 x Childcare Practitioners - Full-time 37.5 hours per week, permanent
- 2 x Childcare Practitioners - Part-time 22.5 hours per week, temporary (Maternity Leave Cover)
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to work as part of a time, supporting the provision of a secure, caring and stimulating nursery environment. You will need to understand and work within the guidelines of Ofsted Statutory Framework for Early years and the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. Participate in team individual planning and evaluation of children's individual development needs, play and learning activities. To ensure the environment is rich, stimulating, sensitive to the children's cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
About us
We are an acute trust caring for over half a million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance: We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. Its important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
- To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the childrens cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
- To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
- Day to day safety and security of the nursery in the absence of Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
- Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted.
- Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the childrens welfare, development and health and social care.
- As a childs key person ensure effective communication links with team members and other professionals for example Area Senco, Health Visitor, Child Protection Nurse, Therapist, and Educational Specialist.
- Work closely with colleagues and the Nursery Manager to ensure the high quality standards are maintained. This will be done on a daily basis and through monthly staff meetings, quality improvement meetings and team meetings.
- To be responsible for the entire childs personal care during the nursery day including feeding, changing nappies, or soiled clothing, special dietary requirement, sterilization of feeding, and play equipment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
- To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the childrens cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
- To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
- Day to day safety and security of the nursery in the absence of Nursery Manager and Deputy Manager, including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
- Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted.
- Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the childrens welfare, development and health and social care.
- As a childs key person ensure effective communication links with team members and other professionals for example Area Senco, Health Visitor, Child Protection Nurse, Therapist, and Educational Specialist.
- Work closely with colleagues and the Nursery Manager to ensure the high quality standards are maintained. This will be done on a daily basis and through monthly staff meetings, quality improvement meetings and team meetings.
- To be responsible for the entire childs personal care during the nursery day including feeding, changing nappies, or soiled clothing, special dietary requirement, sterilization of feeding, and play equipment.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Knowledge of Ofsted Statutory Framework for Early Years and the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Knowledge of Safeguarding procedures.
- Knowledge of Prevent Duty.
- Awareness of own limitations.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations relating to a childcare environment.
- Knowledge of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.
Other
Essential
- The ability to satisfy Occupational Health screening
- Adaptable and flexible according to the demands of the service and to be able to work shift rotas.
- Understand the need to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to lift and manoeuvre children throughout the nursery routine.
- To maintain a safe working environment for self and others
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade 4-9 in English.
- Level 3 in Childcare qualification.
- Paediatric first aid.
- Food Safety certificate level 2.
Desirable
- The Early Years Foundation Certificate.
- The Early Years Teacher Status.
Experience
Essential
- Post qualifying work with under 5s.
Desirable
- Experience with working with a tablet/PC.
- Observation and assessment record system.
- Experience of working with children with SEN.
- Experience of working in an Early years group setting.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to use computer based children's observation and assessment recording system.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills with children and adults.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships
- Good time management skills, including the ability to work to set deadlines.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- The ability to maintain and enhance own knowledge and skills.
- To be enthusiastic, caring and friendly.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Knowledge of Ofsted Statutory Framework for Early Years and the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Knowledge of Safeguarding procedures.
- Knowledge of Prevent Duty.
- Awareness of own limitations.
Desirable
- Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations relating to a childcare environment.
- Knowledge of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.
Other
Essential
- The ability to satisfy Occupational Health screening
- Adaptable and flexible according to the demands of the service and to be able to work shift rotas.
- Understand the need to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to lift and manoeuvre children throughout the nursery routine.
- To maintain a safe working environment for self and others
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE grade 4-9 in English.
- Level 3 in Childcare qualification.
- Paediatric first aid.
- Food Safety certificate level 2.
Desirable
- The Early Years Foundation Certificate.
- The Early Years Teacher Status.
Experience
Essential
- Post qualifying work with under 5s.
Desirable
- Experience with working with a tablet/PC.
- Observation and assessment record system.
- Experience of working with children with SEN.
- Experience of working in an Early years group setting.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to use computer based children's observation and assessment recording system.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills with children and adults.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships
- Good time management skills, including the ability to work to set deadlines.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- The ability to maintain and enhance own knowledge and skills.
- To be enthusiastic, caring and friendly.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
