Apprentice Nursery Practitioner

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Nursery team for an Apprentice Nursery Practitioner to join us.

We are looking for someone with a passion to ensure children have the best start in life. Something the team at YMCA Day Nursery believes should be the case for every child placed in their care.

If you can do the following this could be the role for you:

Could you read stories upside down, with at least 10 interruptions per minute?

You would preferably have a quirkiness-if a child requests you to be a bus driver, police officer, or even an astronaut, could you take them on an imaginary journey through space?

You can't be afraid to dance in the rain, explore in the mud kitchen or build a snowman in the depths of winter.

Having the skill to count the quick-moving heads of small people is a must-have skill.

Nose wiping skills are of course desired!

Finally, you must be prepared to feel appreciated, loved and have essential bonds with young children and their families.

As a nursery manager, I can assure you that there is no better feeling in any workplace than meeting a small 6-month-old baby who you will support and watch them grow and develop into a member of the preschool room being ready to begin their school journey…

You will be provided with full training and ongoing support by your managers and colleagues with opportunities to shadow staff. This opportunity is excellent for someone who is wanting to learn and develop a career in childcare.

Job Title: Apprentice Nursery Practitioner

Location: YMCA North Tyneside, primarily North Shields, NE29 0AB

Hours per week: 40 Hours

Salary: up to £7.57

Benefits: In addition to joining a great team, our colleagues also benefit from enhanced holiday, your birthday off, access to a free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme, 24/7 GP Helpline, discount at our Café and Nursery, a free YMCA North Tyneside gym membership for you and a loved one and training opportunities on various topics such as Safeguarding, Mental health and Health and Safety.

The successful candidate will have a ‘can do’ attitude and excellent communication skills both verbally and written. You will need to work well in a team environment supporting your colleagues in providing a professional and welcoming nursery environment.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide a safe, caring, welcoming, purposeful, stimulating educational environment, both indoors and outdoors, at all times

• Deliver an appropriate play-based Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum that enables children to make individual progress

• Be willing to learn and understand the principles of EYFS and how to put it into practice

• Help ensure the Nursery meets Ofsted requirements at all times

• Understand and work to all Nursery and Company policies and procedures, including how to deal with child protection issues/safeguarding issues appropriately, and how to respond to incidents, accidents complaints and emergencies

• Plan activities which ensure each child is working towards the early learning outcomes

• Ensure records are properly maintained e.g. attendance register, accident and incident book, risk assessment

• Liaise closely with parents/carers, informing them about the nursery and its curriculum, exchange information about children’s progress and encourage parent involvement

• Help colleagues to organise the environment inside and outside to ensure that resources and equipment are available and appropriate, meeting the needs of the individual children in the group

• Monitor and evaluate the children’s learning through a range of assessments and monitoring strategies

• Promote positive behaviour, self-control and independence through implementing our behaviour policy

• Promote and advocate children’s rights, equality, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice at all times

• Proactively focus on the continuation of your own learning and development at all times

• Attend monthly meetings and be willing to take part in further training and staff team building days/activities

• Embrace, understand and implement the mission of the Nursery

Please note this is not an extensive list of duties.

If you’re interested in this post and would like an informal chat, please contact us on 0191 257 5434 and a member of our team will be happy to arrange a time for you to discuss the role and expectations in further detail with Ian Pearson, Nursery Manager.

Closing date: Friday 2nd February 2024 (please note the advert may be closed earlier if a suitable candidate is appointed).

Interview process: One Stage Interview, including an interview task (further details will be provided if you are successfully shortlisted for the role)

To Apply: Please apply by providing a cover letter detailing why you believe you are suitable for the position and an up to date CV. Please follow the link below to our online application form which will also ask for a CV to be uploaded (if you have trouble accessing the application form or require a different format, please contact us on 0191 257 5434).

https://form.jotformeu.com/ymcanorthtyneside/ymca-online-application-for-e

YMCA North Tyneside is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst the workforce, we aim to be an equal opportunities employer and seek to create an inspiring and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and value inclusion and diversity, which we demonstrate through our activities, policies and working practices.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to £8.60 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Nursery: 1 year (preferred)
• Childcare: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person