Senior Early Years Practitioner

Purpose:

To work closely and supportively with the EYFS Lead to lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the Pre-School; ensuring high quality Early Years care and education for all children.

To demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of EYFS requirements and a commitment to improving and continuously developing policy and practice.

To take on responsibility in the setting for ensuring early and expedient intervention for children with possible or existing special educational needs, liaising with the school SENCO.

To lead and manage staff to ensure the smooth running of the day and that all relevant tasks are completed; with the ability to take overall responsibility for the setting in the absence of the EYFS Lead.

To role model and uphold Uplands Primary and Nursery’s Vision and Values at all times, ensuring that the school and Pre-School is always presented positively within and beyond the setting.

To support the implementation of the newly created Nursery curriculum with staff, parents, carers and children.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To work in line with professional expectations at all times, including ensuring that the EYFS framework is delivered consistently and by all Nursery staff.
• To take overall responsibility of the setting in the absence of the EYFS Lead.
• To uphold Uplands Primary and Nursery’s Vision and Value at all times.
• To Support colleagues in ensuring Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and procedures are followed including allegations management.
• To be a role model of high levels of professionalism, team working and interpersonal skills as a leader at Nursery. Communicating with and supporting Nursery staff, and actively contributing to a positive working environment. Supporting new staff with their induction period, and supervising and supporting other visitors, children, trainees and/or volunteers.
• To respond positively, proactively and constructively to instruction and direction.
• To be active and responsible in relation to your own continuous personal and professional development in the role including through evidencing reflective practice; active and constructive engagement with supervision; and active and constructive engagement with training and mentoring arrangements.
• To play an active role in the strategic development of the setting, including working in line with the School Development Plan and supporting the EYFS Lead to implement any changes or developments to practice and procedures.
• To act as a role model in the planning and development of an inspiring and creative curriculum and environment which develops in line with emerging best practice.
• To take responsibility for ensuring that children with possible or existing special educational needs are supported as per SEND Code of Practice, for example organising meetings; seeking specialist advice; writing documents for the graduated pathway; ensuring targets and strategies are communicated with and understood by the Nursery team and the school SENDCO, so that they can be implemented and reviewed effectively.
• Taking responsibility for ensuring that a regular two-way flow of information between other providers, if a child is attending more than one setting, is in place.
• To be fully conversant with all operational systems and maintain accurate and up to date records for all children e.g. online learning journals, attendance registers and CPOMS.
• To take on specific administrative and operational duties within the setting as directed by the schools Senior Leadership Team and EYFS Lead; and to undertake any other responsibilities as delegated by the Headteacher.
• To oversee the key person system alongside the EYFS Lead, and to act as a role model as a keyperson with a group of key children. Ensuring that online learning records are used effectively to track children, inform next steps and feed into future planning.
• To maintain consistent and respectful communication with parents and carers; modelling effective speech, written communication and conduct. To create opportunities for parents and carers to have meaningful input into decisions that affect their child and to participate in their child’s education at Nursery such as helping to plan and lead stay-and-play sessions.
• To attend parent and carer consultation evenings; write progress reports; undertake two-year progress checks as needed; attend management meetings with the EYFS Lead; attend and contribute to weekly staff meetings.
• To make a significant contribution to Nursery, attaining high levels of satisfaction among children, parents, and carers.
• Promoting tolerance, friendship, respect and understanding of a range of religions and cultures through various aspects of the curriculum including books and resources.
• To plan weekly or monthly snack menus and weekly cooking activities, ensuring that shopping lists are created and ordered.
• To ensure that all School policies and procedures are followed at all times.
• To working alongside the Nursery Manager and Headteacher to undertake interviews as appropriate.

Health and Safety

• Ensuring that children are adequately supervised during indoor and outdoor play, and whilst eating, as per EYFS requirements and any other arrangements made within Nursery under direction of the EYFS Lead.
• Ensuring that the daily opening and closing risk assessments are completed and signed for and any identified issues are raised to ensure the environment is healthy and safe; and compliant with requirements.
• To ensure that resources are well maintained and that the Nursery environment is a clean and attractive space. To monitor the condition of toys and equipment in terms of safety, hygiene and correct storage, ensuring that action is taken on general maintenance issues as required.
• Ensuring that food hygiene practices are exemplary, including storage, preparation and serving of food and drinks.
• Role model all emergency and security procedures, e.g. fire procedures, routines for dropping off and collecting children and marking the register.
• Ensuring that nappy changing and toileting procedures are in line with relevant school policies and procedures including Health and Safety, and Safeguarding and Child Protection.
• To use all work equipment and substances in accordance with instruction, training and information received. To be vigilant and aware of possible hazards, and report to the appropriate staff member any hazardous situations and defects.
• Ensuring children’s individual health care plans are understood and implemented by all staff in contact with the child.

The job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post, and the postholder may be required to undertake other tasks appropriate to the level of appointment as the Line Manager/Headteacher may require. It may be reviewed annually or earlier if necessary and it may be subject to modification or amendment after consultation with the post holder.

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