Work with us!

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Play Assistant to join our team.

We are a friendly and popular community playgroup situated on the edge of Rodborough Common. We provide childcare for children between the ages of 2 yrs 6 months and 4 years. Our hours are generally between 8:15 and 15:15. The hourly rate is national living wage of £11.44 for over 21, or apprentice rates dependent on age.

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Working alongside our dedicated and experienced staff team you will assist in the daily running of playgroup, providing creative play opportunities to meet children’s individual needs and support their development, communicating effectively with parents and carers. Safeguarding children is our priority.

Previous experience working and caring for children under 5 and an approved level 2 or 3 qualification is desirable but not essential. If the successful candidate is not qualified, we would like to offer an apprenticeship. It’s essential over the longer term that the person in the role becomes qualified, and this will require a commitment to study.

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The role will be for 24 hours per week. The current play assistant works until 13.00 on Mondays and has Tuesday off. Ideally we’d like the successful candidate to mirror these hours until the end of July, when Playgroup closes until September.

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If you would like to work different hours, we can try to accommodate this. We’re also hoping to be able to offer longer hours to this role from September 2024, depending on whether we can fill all places then.

Administrative duties:

• To assist in keeping a daily register, and relevant records, including registration and accident book details

• To understand and help with planning, assessment and record keeping procedures

Staff Duties

• To report to and work with the Playleader and deputy playleader.

• To attend staff and committee meetings as requested

• To contribute to creating an effective team

• To make time available on a daily basis to discuss the day to day running of the group with fellow members of staff

• To attend relevant training

• To keep up to date with the latest ideas in childcare through courses and relevant publications

• To attend update training for First Aid and Child Protection

• To attend in –house training sessions as required

• To check equipment and premises are kept in good order and report ant concerns to the Playleader and deputy playleader and help with risk assessments

• To prepare for, and undertake, two parents evenings per academic for your key children

Duties towards the children

• To ensure that the care of the children meets the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements for pre-school provision

• To help with organising a wide range of stimulating and safe activities throughout the session, including play promote positive attitudes and equal opportunities

• To challenge all forms of discrimination

• To help supervise the children, ensuring a correct adult to child ratio

• To be aware of the differing needs of a wide range of children and to be able to meet those needs

• To ensure that unacceptable behaviour is dealt with in accordance with the procedures and rules of the setting

• To encourage positive behaviour in the children

• To help with the observation of children

• Undertake the role of tracking children’s progress and meeting their needs

Other duties

• To arrive on time to help set up the day’s activities before opening and stay to help clear up after the session

• To check equipment and premises are kept in good working order and report any concerns to the Playleader and deputy play leader and to help with risk assessments

• To welcome visitors and help support students as directed by Playleader and Deputy Playleader.

• To communicate with parents and carers in a positive manner and encourage parental involvement in the sessions and be aware of training opportunities to parents.

To be familiar with and work within the setting's policies and procedure

To attend trips out / walks on the common

To ensure individual health plans are agreed for children with special medical needs.

To record and administer the giving of medicines to children in line with their individual health plans and playgroup policies.

Job Types: Part-time, Apprenticeship

Salary: £6.40-£11.44 per hour

Expected hours: 24 per week

Benefits:

• Free parking

• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• Tell us how your skills and experience can help make Rodborough Playgroup a stimulating, fun and supportive environment for children.

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 25/03/2024
Expected start date: 18/04/2024

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