Job Description

The Role Under the direction of the Nursery Deputies/Supervisors and Manager to assist in providing a high standard of childcare for children aged between 3 months - 11 years within a stimulating and friendly environment, that is physically and emotionally secure.

Children's welfare must be of paramount importance.

Key Responsibilities
·         Be one of a team of Nursery assistants with responsibilities relating to the children attending the Nursery.
·         Maintain, at all times, a high standard of professional conduct and a child centred approach to the care provided   in accordance with national and Nursery policies/procedures, current legislation, the curriculum, registration   requirements and other guidelines issued by Ark school and Ofsted.
·         Work with senior staff on the day to day running of the nursery.
·         Plan and implement a range of activities for your allocated key group to ensure that the physical, intellectual,          emotional and social needs of each child are properly met in accordance with Early Years Foundation Stage     Curriculum.  
  Regularly monitor and evaluate the activities to suit each child's individual development needs.  (Level 2     assistants will have a smaller group to manage, whilst NVQ 3’s will have larger group)
·         Prepare materials and equipment at the start of each session and clearing away at the end.  All toys, equipment   rooms and play areas must be kept safe and hygienic at all times and as clean and tidy as is practicable, this     involves damp dusting, minor cleaning and mopping up of spillage, etc, but will exclude major cleaning.
·         Ensure that toys and equipment are properly used, withdrawing immediately or rendering harmless any     potentially dangerous items and arranging repair or proper disposal thereafter.  Also reporting, immediately to   senior staff, any repair or maintenance work required to the fabric of the building. 
 ·        Ensure that senior staff are kept informed of the physical and emotional security of the children, and that     anything about a child that gives cause for concern is reported to the Manager immediately and acted upon     accordingly.  
·         Comfort sick or injured children, having administered appropriate first aid or medication, when appropriate, to   be recorded at all times.   
·         Responsible for own health, safety and welfare as well as the users of the Nursery in both normal and emergency   situations in accordance with Nursery guidelines.  Also being fully conversant with fire drills and other       emergency procedures and taking responsibility for the children under your care.     
·         Supervise children at meal times, and feeding as necessary.  
·         Attend to the physical needs of the children (aged 3 months to 8 years).  Generally fostering their development,   independence and self-reliance. Liaising with the children's parent/guardian(s) at all times to help to achieve   this.  
·         Adopt a flexible and teamwork approach to work at all times including providing the necessary cover for other   staff in emergency situations, etc, as directed by and within the limits of registration requirements.  When     necessary staying late with children ensuring that emergency arrangements are made for them to be reunited   with their parent/guardian(s).  
·         To continue personal development by attending training, by agreement with your supervisor or manager in     order to keep own qualifications up to date with current legislation.  
·         Ensure that children are kept safe and that you understand and when necessary follow safeguarding procedures ·         Promote and facilitate partnerships with parents/carers and other family members    

NVQ 3 Assistants will be also be:
expected to liaise with external organisations and special needs accordingly and as required.  Under guidance of SENCo or Manager and to support trainee/student staff and act as mentors.

This job description is a guide to the work you will initially be required to undertake.  It may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances.  It does not form part of your contract of employment.