Little Owls Nursery Assistants & Officers

Job Title

Nursery Assistant and Nursery Officer

Salary

B1: £25,185 – £25,989 (Nursery Assistant). B3: £26,403 – £28,142 (Nursery Officer)

Hours

Up to 37 hours per week (pro rata for part-time)

Contract

Permanent

Location

Little Owls Nurseries

Are you passionate about working with children? Are you ready to kickstart your childcare vocation? If so, we could have a brilliant opportunity for you. Leeds City Council is currently recruiting Nursery Officers and Nursery Assistants for its Little Owls nurseries.

Job Purpose

To work as part of a team to deliver high standard of care and education, meeting the individual needs of young children and supporting families.

Responsibilities (B1)

• Provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
• Ensure that day‑to‑day childcare provision in your assigned room is of a high standard.
• Work with the wider leadership team to ensure a broad and balanced EYFS curriculum is provided.
• Establish and deliver Individual Educational Programmes (IEP) and the Early Support Programme for children with SEND.
• Observe and monitor children’s development and contribute to written reports of their progress.
• Maintain client confidentiality.
• Liaise with and provide professional advice to parents, social workers and health visitors involved with a child and their family.
• Liaise with local primary schools and prepare reports that support the child’s transition into school.
• Report any injury or accident, ensuring health and safety is maintained.
• Understand and operate policies and procedures for the administration of medication, including accurate recording and verification of drug sheets.
• Report any suspicious or suspected non-accidental injury in line with Departmental Child Protection Procedures and Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.
• Support student placements by preparing and presenting accurate, concise reports to the Manager and/or college tutors.
• Provide interesting and appropriate educational visits for children and families, observing Health and Safety policies and making risk assessments.
• Support parents and families where necessary in successful admission and transition of their children.
• Take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
• Participate in and provide training and development activities to ensure up‑to‑date knowledge and skills.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Service.
• Comply with all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• Actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s Policies on Equal Opportunities and work in an anti‑oppressive manner.

Responsibilities (B3)

• Lead and provide high quality care and education for all children and support for families.
• Lead and provide a broad and balanced EYFS curriculum that meets national and local standards.
• Establish and deliver Individual Education Programmes (IEP) and the Early Support Programme for children with SEND.
• Observe and monitor children’s development and prepare written reports of their progress to promote wellbeing.
• Liaise with and provide professional advice to parents/carers and other professionals involved with the child.
• Maintain client confidentiality.
• Liaise with local primary school teachers and prepare reports that support the child’s transition into school.
• Report any injury or accident, ensuring health and safety of the individual is maintained.
• Follow the process for reporting any suspicious or suspected non‑accidental injury, complying with Departmental Child Protection Procedures and Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures.
• Understand and operate policies and procedures for the administration of medication, including accurate recording and verification of drug sheets.
• Support student placements by preparing and presenting accurate, concise reports on these to the Manager and/or college tutors.
• Support parents, carers and families in the successful admission and transition of their children.
• Organise and participate in interesting and appropriate educational visits for children and families, observing health and safety policies and making risk assessments.
• Take responsibility for the securing of the building and resources if required.
• Assist the management in providing professional support to parents and outside agencies on issues relating to child protection.
• Take responsibility for a group of children during any building evacuation.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up‑to‑date knowledge and skills.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures such as child protection, health, safety, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Work within the council’s flexibility protocol for this role.
• These duties are not exhaustive and may include any other duties consistent with the post’s purpose.

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum Level 2 qualification in childcare (Nursery Assistant) or Level 3 qualification (Nursery Officer) as defined by the Sector Skills Council for Childcare.
• Good standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Recent experience working with young children and families.
• Relevant current Paediatric First Aid or Emergency Paediatric First Aid certificate, or commitment to obtain within the first three months of employment.

Essential Skills

• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually, in groups, and at all appropriate levels.
• Ability to safeguard children and support them in developing resilience.
• Ability to motivate children through positive role‑modelling and sustain their interest in play activities.
• Ability to work as part of a team and accept instructions.
• Ability to write reports and plans documenting children’s learning, development and wellbeing to the required standard.
• Ability to observe, record and monitor children’s development through the EYFS.
• Ability to work in partnership with parents and carers to support their children’s learning and development.
• Ability to support children and families in a culturally sensitive, positive, non‑judgemental way.
• Ability to support children with special educational needs and disabilities in an inclusive setting.
• Ability to complete risk assessments.
• Ability to effectively use EYFS to plan and evaluate activities.
• Ability to supervise students and apprentices.
• Ability to use ICT packages, including Word and Excel.
• Flexible approach to working hours with the ability to change shift patterns as required.
• Ability to work with staff at all levels, working as part of a team, and liaise with other professionals.

Knowledge Required

• Relevant Level 2 (or Level 3 for Nursery Officer) qualification.
• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent (or commitment to achieve within two years).
• Knowledge and understanding of legislation, policy and guidance relating to Sure Start Children’s Centres, the Children Act 2004, the Childcare Act 2006, the Ofsted inspection framework, EYFS, the SEN Code of Practice and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.
• Knowledge of factors that create stress for children and families, and awareness of protective factors.
• Current knowledge of child safeguarding practices and the responsibilities of protecting children.
• Knowledge of guidance documents that support the development of young children’s learning, including the EYFS profile.

Experience Required

• Experience working with young children and families.
• Experience in a nursery or childcare environment.
• Experience of teamwork.
• Experience of planning and organising play experiences for children.
• Experience of working in partnership with other agencies.
• Experience of working with parents and carers.
• Experience of supporting student placements and preparing reports for managers and college tutors.
• Experience of child protection issues.

Behavioural and Other Characteristics Required

• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Understanding and observation of Leeds City Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
• Carrying out duties in accordance with the council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Understanding and embracing council values, behaviours and codes of conduct.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• Clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Range of staff benefits to enhance wellbeing and support financial well‑being.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans, LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care‑experienced people.

Additional Information

A DBS check will be carried out on preferred candidates.

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