The Early Years Alliance is the largest early years membership organisation and voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England. An educational charity, the Alliance represents the interests of over 14,000 member settings who deliver care and learning to over 800,000 families every year. We are looking to recruit Early Years Lead
The purpose of the role is to provide high quality early years sessions to children and families to improve the life chances of children. To work as part of a team to promote and support parents in their own learning which will enable them to support their children's learning and development particularly with healthy lifestyle choices and communication skills.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, pro rata for part time employees
- Additional annual leave for long service
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Employer and employee contribution pension scheme
- Birthday leave so you can have a day off for your birthday dedicated to you and your well being
- Regular access to internal and external learning and development opportunities
- A Recruitment Referral Payment Scheme, giving you an introductory payment of up to £300 if someone you have referred to the Alliance takes up a role in the charity.
- Access to our Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which includes 24/7 helpline access, dedicated managers helpline, confidential counselling sessions delivered by accredited specialists, legal, debt and life management advice, discounts, and wellbeing content plus resources.
- Savings of up to 25% on O2 Refresh Airtime Plan on any new phone or tablets
- A dedicated mental health First Aider to support your mental well being
Main duties:
- To deliver high quality EYFS-focused sessions for children and their families in children’s centres, outreach venues and other delivery sites including schools, as directed by the line manager, with a particular focus on the prime areas of learning
- To understand and work to the EYFS to support children’s learning and development.To ensure that the environment and activities are stimulating and promotes parental involvement and understanding of learning through play.
- To be responsible for the day to day management of the session in line with the Alliance’s unregistered policies and procedures and EYFS welfare requirements. To ensure that the environment, including equipment offered, is clean, safe and secure and maintained to a good hygiene standard.To maintain a high level of safety during the session and to ensure that thorough risk assessments are in place in line with the Alliance’s policies and procedures.
- To ensure that all sessions are inclusive, welcoming and are appropriately planned in relation to the stage of the children’s development.
- To be the designated person for safeguarding during the session responding to safeguarding concerns in accordance to the Alliances safeguarding procedures.
- To work in partnership with parents to promote a quality home learning environment and to liaise with parents informing them of the organisations procedures regarding exchanging information about the needs and development of their children
- To work to a high professional standard to ensure a customer focused service is delivered enhancing continually the reputation of the organisation
- To work flexibly to enable the service to be responsive to the developing needs of the service users which at times may include some evenings and weekends as directed by the line manager.
Essential criteria:
- Possess a childcare qualification at Level 3 or above, or other relevant qualification
- Demonstrate significant experience of delivering and managing children and family sessions such as toddler group, drop-in, crèche, family learning session, nursery, pre-school or other relevant setting.
- Demonstrate a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), child development and how young children learn through play, talk and discovery, both indoors and outdoors.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits to children of healthy lifestyles and how musical opportunities can promote communication and language skills.
- Demonstrate an ability to deliver to the EYFS welfare requirements to provide a safe, stimulating learning environment, appropriate to all the ages and stages of the children attending.
- Demonstrate an ability to be sensitive and supportive to children and families from a range of cultures, lifestyles and circumstances, and with and without additional needs.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the value and importance of home learning and the ability to encourage parental involvement within the sessions in support of their children’s learning.
- Excellent customer awareness.
- To be aware of the harmful impact on children of discriminatory experiences and ensure that children feel valued and respected for who they are
- Commitment to young children and families.
- Friendly, flexible approach.
- Ability to work as a member of a team and on own initiative.
- Demonstrate a good understanding of Safeguarding Procedures which includes attending regular update training.
- Demonstrate a good understanding of safe and professional practice in working with vulnerable families, including to safeguard children.
- Possess current Food Hygiene Certificate or willingness to gain qualification prior to commencing work
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Hours per week: 20
Weeks per year: 39
Virtual interview date:TBC
Please note our virtual interviews take place via Microsoft Teams, you may need to download this prior to your interview.