If you like spending your day finding the biggest puddles to jump in, searching for minibeasts, getting covered in glitter, making a muddy swamp for dinosaurs, or organising a teddy bears’ picnic in the woods then this is the role for you!
We have an exciting opportunity for a friendly and reliable Nursery Assistant. This position is located at St Andrew’s Prep School in Eastbourne.
St Andrew’s Prep Nursery provides a happy, safe, and stimulating environment for children between the ages of 9 months to 4 years and is set right at the heart the school. The Nursery has access to many of the Pre-Prep and Prep facilities, including a state-of-the-art sports hall, indoor swimming pool, Forest School site and extensive playing fields. As the school is located so close to the sea, the Nursery staff take the children to the seafront to explore the beach.
With a wealth of history, the school being founded in 1877, today at St Andrew’s Prep Nursery we offer children a wide variety of learning experiences and they quickly begin to develop spiritually, morally, culturally and socially whilst enhancing their creative talents. It is through living and working in a positive and creative atmosphere that children learn to feel secure in themselves and their surroundings.
We encourage children to be resourceful and resilient, as well as to be mindful, respectful and kind.

THE ROLE:

We are looking to recruit a Nursery assistant to work with and support the Room Leader in ensuring that children receive the highest possible standards of care and education. To assist in classroom management and with the welfare of all the children in the Nursery to support their learning, and personal, social, and emotional development.

GENERAL DUTIES:

Working within established guidelines to:

• Ensure that the children are safe, secure, and happy inside and outside, whilst they are at Nursery
• Assist in the planning and teaching of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework
• Organise time and effectively use creative and practical skills with a range of material resources
• Maintain and support in the production of a welcoming and enabling indoor and outdoor environment, providing a positive context for learning
• Positively interact and support children in their play, fostering their enthusiasm for learning by offering experiences and activities that are challenging but achievable
• To act as a Key Person to a group of children in your room and observe, assess and record these children’s development, including completion of online learning journeys or similar
• To act as a Key Buddy to other children in the event that their Key Person is absent
• To assist children with personal care, including changing nappies, assisting with toileting and other associated welfare duties.
• Operate the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the bedding, nappy-changing area, and food preparation areas.
• To undertake and coordinate relevant 2-year progress checks for identified children.
• To assess children’s progress, maintain records, and provide written reports to parents/carers in accordance with school policies and schedules.
• To liaise closely with parents/carers, informing them about the Nursery and its curriculum, exchanging information about children’s progress and encouraging parents’ involvement
• To understand the cultural, religious, ethical, or personal preference issues that some parents may have in relation to their child
• To work as part of that team and contribute positively to the staff team. To be a role model of good practice to other members of staff
• To look upon the department as a ‘whole,’ and if your own classroom is quiet, consider where your help could be most utilised within the nursery, e.g., end-of-day jobs in the communal areas.
• To ensure records are properly maintained, e.g., daily attendance register, medication accident and incident book, risk assessment, daily checks, care plans for children, etc.
• Maintain and clean all resources used by the children
• Work as an enthusiastic member of the team in either Pre-Prep or the Nursery, as required
• Play a full part in the life of Nursery and the wider school
• Regularly planning and implementing activities that support developing skills within your cohort
• Implementing ‘in-the-moment’ planning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage, including the Characteristics of Effective Learning
• Reflecting on your practice, incorporating any new initiatives as appropriate and continually evaluating current Early Years thinking
• Deputising for the Room Leader during short periods of absence
• Assisting with minor incidents or accidents and ensuring that records are updated
• Any other duties appropriate to the post as directed by your Line Manager.

SAFEGUARDING DUTIES:

• All staff at St Andrew’s Prep and Nursery are required to take responsibility for providing an environment in which children are safe, feel safe and can learn, whether in or outside the setting.
• Working closely with the children on a daily basis means that a child may make disclosures or staff may notice indicators of possible abuse or neglect. Staff have a responsibility to be familiar with the procedure of passing on concerns to the DSL or appropriate agency.
• All staff must therefore:
• Be familiar with St Andrew’s Prep’s systems which support safeguarding, including the Child Protection and Staff Behaviour policies, and the role of the designated safeguarding lead (DSL)
• Have knowledge of the early help process and of referrals to social services.
• Identify children who may benefit from early help; know the signs of abuse and neglect and of what to do if a child makes a disclosure.
• Keep up to date with child protection training.

• Always act in the best interests of the child.

• Maintain good links and dialogue with the children’s families.

• Through strict adherence to the staff code of conduct and common-sense precautions staff will not only protect the children but also their own reputation and that of the St Andrew’s Prep and Nursery.

OPTION 1: ONE FULL-TIME ROLE

: Two days: 07.45am – 6.15pm and Three days: 7.45am – 4.15pm
OR

OPTION 2: PART-TIME JOB SHARE (TWO ROLES)

Role A: Two Days per Week
One day: 7.45am – 4.15pm and One day: 7.45am – 6.15pm
or
Role B: Three Days per Week
Two days: 7.45am – 4.15pm and One day: 7.45am – 6.15pm
Please indicate clearly in your application which option or role you are applying for (Full-Time, or if Part-Time (Job Share) then Role A, or Role B).
Salary: From £12.66 to £12.70 hourly rate dependent on qualifications
Pension: After three months’ service you may be automatically enrolled into the Eastbourne College WorkSave Pension Scheme (details are available from the HR Department), depending on your level of earnings, however you may also choose to opt into the pension scheme. The College will contribute 5% of your gross salary and you will be expected to contribute 3%. You may choose to opt out of the pension scheme.
Holiday: Six weeks paid annual leave plus Bank Holidays.

Other Benefits:

• Free meals during working hours when Dining Hall open
• Life Assurance
• Free use of Charity facilities including pool and gym
• Free tickets to College productions
• Annual pay review
• Stunning location