Early Years Practitioner

HOLY CORNER COMMUNITY PLAYGROUPAt Holy Corner Community Playgroup our values are Community and Play and our Visionis to meet the challenges of a changing world. We aim to provide a safe, welcoming andstimulating environment which is caring and responsive to our children as well as theirparents and carers, and to continue to provide a valued space for our community wherefamilies can bring their young children to play, as they have done for over 50 years.We have been providing drop-off childcare for up to 24 children aged between 2 and 5 yearsand up to a maximum of 20 attend morning sessions Monday to Friday. The Playgroup ismanaged by an elected parent committee who work collaboratively with the Early YearsPractitioner team to provide a high-quality space for children to play, experience life outsidethe home, and make friends. Children follow their interests in an environment that iscreative, challenging, safe and varied. We are committed to up-to-date concepts ofchildhood, children’s rights and the value of play. The Playgroup employs a Manager, EarlyYears Practitioners, and a Business Development Manager. Staff members are accountableto the Management Committee through the Manager.The Playgroup is registered with the Scottish Care Inspectorate (Care Inspectorate, 2015)and is a Partner Provider with City of Edinburgh Council, and a member of Early YearsScotland. We offer a wide variety of activities in a child-led approach in line with the nationalguidance 'Realising the Ambition' (2020) and a child-led curriculum with reference to theScottish Curriculum for Excellence.ABOUT THE ROLEThe Practitioner’s overall responsibility is to create a positive space for children’s health,well-being and learning in a free play, child-led environment, with observations of children'sneeds in order to meet them responsively.HOURS OF WORKPlaygroup operates from 8.55am to 12.20pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.55am to 11.35amon a Friday, following the school academic calendar. There are also weekly meetings andoccasional events or training to attend, as well as in service days in line with the schoolcalendar.Term Time Regular Early Years Practitioner hours included in the 23.75 hours per week:Monday 08.30 - 14.00 Tuesday 08.30 - 13.00 Wednesday 08.30 - 14.15 Thursday 08.30 - 13.00 Friday 08.30 - 12.00 In addition to the time above, others regular hours beyond those mentioned above include:• Monthly planning meeting (1 hour per month, term time): on the first Wednesday ofeach month during term time, all Practitioners attend the planning meeting until 15.15instead of usual 14.15• Participation in the Monday morning rota (15min per week, term time - when on rota):Arriving 08.15 on Mondays for extra set-up time, when on rota. Rota includes 2 staffat a time, with responsibility shared by staff over the year• Snack & Cleaning rota (1 hour per week, term time - when on rota): Snack planningand shopping, 1 hour per week, only when on rota. Rota is shared between staff overthe year (usually 1 term per year)JOB DESCRIPTIONMain Duties● Delivering front line support to children aged 2 to 5 years in play and learning● Responding to their interests with resources, conversation and activities and planningapproaches● Providing individualised nurture and care to young children, including emotionalcomfort and intimate care● Promoting the rights and interests of the children and families who make up thePlaygroup● Holding the post of Key Person for a small group of children, becoming aware of theirindividual circumstances and interests and recording these in their Personal Plans● Communicating and planning as a team. Planning should take account of children’sinterests, communities, and national guidance on Early Learning and Care● Developing and maintaining the skills required for the post. Including ongoing self-assessment, contributing to the self-assessment taking place across the Playgroup,and updating SSSC membership with required training● Setting up and clearing away the resources on a daily basis, in line with responsiveplanning, learning focus, and professional reflection ● Keeping the Playgroup cleanand fit for purposeSecondary Duties● Communicating with the Playgroup stakeholders, parents and carers, City ofEdinburgh Council, children, the Church staff● Supporting the Parent Committee in their roles to gain the best possible outcomes forthe Playgroup● Ensuring that policies are kept up to date, communicated and adhered to● Bringing extra skills into the Playgroup and making them available to the childrenAdditional Requirements● Implement health and safety guidelines● Support and encourage children with their self-help skills● Administer prescribed medication according to the authorities guidelines on theAdministration of Medicines● Follow Child Protection procedures● Assist with children’s snack time adhering to hygiene practices and following allergyprevention measures● Comply with standards set by the Care Inspectorate● Support children to adopt good hygiene practices at all timesPERSONAL ATTITUDEYou should be:● child-centred and have a progressive, positive view of children● patient, courteous and respectful to all● value children's rights● able to articulate your professional position on ethical and political issues surroundingchildren● able to talk about your practice, the role of the adult in a play environment and yourCPD● aware of your own health needs and physical fitness and seek support where needed● willing to sing, accept play invitations, and be playful when the moment arises● aware of the varying uses and potential of ELC resources, and be excited toexperiment with them in order to create high quality experiences for the childrenSKILLS REQUIREDDocumentation:● You are required to have, or be working towards, a practice qualification of either an SVQ Social Services (Children and Young People), SCQF Level 7, or a HNC in Childhood Practice● Registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) within the first 6months● Successful PVG must be gained before starting in the role● Professional references are essentialEssential:● Proven experience working with children aged 2-5 years old● Excellent interpersonal skills● Strong communication skills and the capability to contribute to a positive ethos● Ability to work independently and in a team within a childcare setting● Well organised● Ability to be flexibleDesirable:● IT and administrations skills