Job Description

Who we are

The Happy Homestead is an outdoor, environmentally friendly nursery, which follows forest school practices. Our ethos is to support children's well-being by encouraging them to spend their time exploring nature and learning out in the fresh air.

Who are we looking for?

We require a Level 3 Early Years Educator to join our small team caring for children aged from 0-5 years. The person must be prepared to be outdoors all day, and in all weathers. They say there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing! One of the main aims of forest school is to build an inherit care for nature, and a such we require someone that takes an interest in what is around them and will be interested in learning all there is to know about the natural world.

We also need someone who is energetic and creative and has a natural, caring attitude towards children. There are also animals on site so we require someone who will enjoy caring for animals too. We are looking for positive, mindful people who will instil confidence in the children, parents and staff and appreciate them for who they are.

Purpose of the Role

The Early Years Educator's role is to implement the daily routine in the nursery, embedding the Happy Homestead ethos in everything they do. Practitioners must ensure the children have access to exciting and challenging activities to support and encourage their learning and development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage and the children's individual interests. They will also have to ensure individual children's needs are met so that they can be happy and healthy little people.

As there are also animals at the setting, practitioners may also be required to help care for them, although there will be a full time Ranger on hand to provide the majority of their daily care needs.

Hours of the Role

The hours of working are 7:45am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, 41 weeks per year.

Duties and Responsibilities

To support the provision of a diverse forest school curriculum that will meet the requirements of the EYFS and meet the needs of individual learners.

To promote learning in the outdoor environment and the ethos of forest school learning.

To reflect and evaluate learning and development opportunities and identify improvements.

To keep an up-to-date record of learning and development on every child, in particular your key children and share this with parents.

Building a professional relationship with parents and keeping them informed about their child's day and their progression.

To allow children to take risks and challenge themselves in order to build strength and resilience.

To allow children to make their own choices and problem solve for themselves, letting the children know that you are there if they need you.

To work as a team with other staff communicating, helping organise and teach new staff to embrace the Happy Homestead ethos.

Safeguarding children from harm and abuse; putting their welfare, care and development first. To report any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury.

Support children and families in settling visits and transitions through the setting.

Checking the site for hazards every day to making sure children are safe from harm.

To ensure the health and safety of the children by performing risk assessments for tools, activities and other resources and adhere to these at all times.

To promote social mealtimes and encourage an understanding of community, as children will have responsibility to serve each other meals etc.

To use and maintain forest school tools and equipment.

To assist with the organisation of trips of natural educational interest e.g. beach school or nature reserves, including transporting them safely to such destinations.

Ensuring that you and children are suitably dress for any weather condition, even at short notice.

Changing children as required and promoting good hygiene.

To ensure the provision of a high quality environment to meet the needs of individual children from differing cultures and religious backgrounds, and stages of development, whilst actively promoting the equal opportunities policy.

Work as a supportive member of the staff team, where the setting is viewed as a "whole". Utilise your time to help in other areas being constantly aware of the children's needs.

To attend all out of working hours activities, e.g. training, monthly staff meetings, parents evenings, open days etc.

To be flexible within working practices of the setting. Be prepared to help where needed, including to undertake certain domestic jobs within the setting, e.g. preparation of snack meals, cleansing of equipment, cleaning, planting vegetables, feeding for animals etc.

To respect and maintain the confidentiality of information received.

Complete the setting's in house training schedule.

To be aware of the high profile of the setting and to uphold its standards at all times.

To comply with the settings policies and procedures at all times.

To report any injury or accident ensuring that health and safety of the individual is maintained. Inform the Forest School Leader of all accidents.

To be a key person for small group of children.

To undertake any other duties commensurate to the post as required by the setting.

Physical Duties

The role can be quite physically demanding as it is outdoors in all weather. The terrain at the setting is mostly flat but this may become boggy in rainy conditions. There are also children's play equipment to consider as this will need setting up and packing away daily. Children and staff will do daily exercise such as yoga and dancing.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge, understanding and practical experience of day care for young children

Robust knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Experience of adhering to and implementing the EYFS.

Knowledge and practical understanding of child development and parenting

Knowledge and understanding of legislation and regulations relating to day care for young children and the inspections process for approval of day care settings

Able to work independently and to manage own time efficiently

Warm and caring personality - friendly and approachable to families

Able to time manage appropriately and complete the children's files to a high standard of English.

Ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels

Commitment to the principle that families 'know best' about their own needs

Commitment to equal opportunities for all children and families

Adhere to and promote British Values.

Teamwork

We are role models for the young children and as such must maintain positive relationships with others. Respect for each other, trust and care are considered priority. You will work as part of a team, and will maintain a close working relationship with other colleagues, parents, children and other agencies in the promotion of high quality, integrated childcare.

Training

Practitioners are encouraged to undertake their Level 2 or 3 Forest School Practitioner qualification as part of this role. This provides you with all the knowledge and skills you will need to work towards the Forest School ethos.

All staff members are expected to keep their Paediatric First Aid, Food Hygiene and Safeguarding certificates up-to-date as a minimum.

All staff are expected to maintain a current awareness of professional and service issues and to be responsible for their own development.

Further opportunities for training and development will be made available to all staff in house and externally.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Employee discount
Application question(s):

Do you have a level 2 (or above) in a childcare related subject?
Work Location: In person