Early Years Support Worker

Who are we?

Puddle Lane Early Learning and Childcare Centre is part of the Kibble Group, which is ultimately governed by Miss Elizabeth Kibble’s Trust. We are seeking an enthusiastic and nurturing Early Years Support Worker to join our professional early learning & childcare workforce.

This is an exciting time to be part of Puddle Lane. Ongoing development will help us to ensure the stability of the centre and continued growth, ultimately helping us to support even more children and families. We are always looking for like-minded, passionate, and committed people to join us on this journey.

The role of Support Worker is centred around the Health & Wellbeing of children. This includes the organisation of the centres lunchroom to facilitate positive mealtime experiences. Working alongside Practitioners as part of the Nursery team and assisting in keeping children safe as they come together, make friends and relax in a healthy and nurturing environment.

In addition, this role includes ensuring children experience mealtimes in a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere, free from distractions. The Support Worker will share the responsibility of ensuring children’s rights and opinions are respected by developing an understanding of their likes and dislikes, special dietary requirements, allergies, and intolerances. As well as valuing their individual care and wellbeing routines throughout the day.

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory PVG Disclosure check and references. All appointments will be subject to a twelve-month probationary period.

Qualifications and Experience

A recognised Early Years qualification is desirable, it is not an essential requirement of this post. The post requires a commitment to obtaining a formal qualification, such as:

• SVQ Social Services Children & Young People, or equivalent

The nature of the post enables a range of valuable experience to be considered whether this be, personal, professional or a vocational journey that has inspired an interest in joining the Early Years Workforce.

The Support Worker post also includes being responsible for

• Observing children and reporting to the child’s key person on significant events within the daily routine
• Supporting children’s care & wellbeing during key moments of transition within the routine of the day
• Being responsive to the specific care & wellbeing needs of all children and assisting in the delivery of children’s support plans for those with additional support needs.
• Supporting practitioners with the personal care and wellbeing needs of children, including administration of medication when required.
• Ensuring the environment is well organised, clean, and hygienic in compliance with health & safety regulations
• Actively participating in the overall development of the centre. Including being involved in the self-evaluation and Service Improvement Planning journey
• Keeping up to date with Early Years guidance and developments. Including Safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Compliance with all Kibble policies, national guidance, and legislation relevant to the post
• Undertaking any other tasks relevant to the duties of the post as delegated by the Nursery Manager

Employee Benefits

As part of Kibble, at Puddle Lane we recognise our staff to be the backbone of the organisation, always prioritising the needs of the children and young people in our care and doing so with the highest professionalism and best practice. To give our staff something back we provide health and wellbeing services and personal benefits as well as the opportunity to learn and develop.

A commitment to professional development:

• Mandatory training such as manual handling, first aid, food hygiene and fire safety.
• Support for further education and qualifications relevant to area of work
• Opportunities to attend events to further learning that can be used across multiple disciplines

A commitment to employee health and wellbeing:

• Free membership of Pro-Life Fitness Centre and Gym in Paisley
• Health plan with support towards healthcare costs
• Access to counselling
• Access to a physiotherapist

A commitment to personal benefits:

• A meal for every member of staff on shift
• Free onsite parking
• Access to a credit union

Notes:

• This job outline reflects the main tasks and responsibilities discharged by the post holder at the present time, however, we reserve the right to alter or amend the content of this job outline to reflect changes to the job or service provided, while maintaining the overall character and level of responsibility for the post.
• Notwithstanding any information or statement described within this job outline, all duties must be carried out in a way that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity, and respect for all individuals and which is consistent with Puddle Lane’s stated policy on Equality & Inclusion.
• The successful candidate will be subject to PVG Scheme Membership. Having previous convictions will not automatically disbar you from working at Puddle Lane (with the exception of offences against children or other vulnerable groups) and every case is taken on an individual basis.
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake Safe Crisis Management (SCM) training and will require a level of fitness to be able to carry out SCM. The successful candidate must be able to participate fully in this training and be prepared to put this training into practice.

The SCM training will consist of two days theory and two days physical training. The successful candidate must complete this training in full within four weeks of an agreed start date. Should the candidate for any reason fail any aspect of the SCM training (theory, physical or both parts), an additional two weeks will be given to pass.

• Appointments will be subject to a twelve-month probationary period.