Job Title: Early Years and Childcare Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Early Years and Childcare Manager

Reporting to : Cluster Manager

Hours of work: 40 hours per week

Salary: £20,800 per annum

Location: Little Flyers RAF Boulmer, NE66 3JN

JOB PURPOSE

·  To develop, oversee and manage the provision of a range of early years education and daycare services for children aged 0 – 11 years.

·  To develop a strategy for continued links between all early years and childcare facilities in the area including links with school provisions and other on site partnerships.

·  To support the involvement and ongoing development of staff, trainees and volunteers within the childcare services.

·  To develop and oversee advertising strategies to promote and develop services including managing budgets, fundraising events and raising the profile of the charity.

·  To assist the Regional Manager on the development of the 4Children Centre programme.

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JOB ACTIVITIES

1. Strategic

·  To lead on the establishment of a strategy for coordinating and developing high quality early years and childcare services to meet the needs of 0-11 years olds and the local community.

·  To promote and encourage all users of the Early Years Education and childcare services – parents, carers, childminders and others to participate in the decision-making processes relating to the strategic development of those services within the Centre.

·  To establish positive working relationships and a strategic approach to the development of relationships with partners such as the RAF and other agencies in the area - statutory, voluntary and community, in order to have the widest possible reach within the RAF community and to provide a comprehensive service for families using the daycare and crèche facilities.

2. Operational

·  To be responsible for the development and daily management of the day nursery providing a safe, caring and stimulating environment for children, including those with special needs.

·  To establish and promote a working environment in which the emotional, social, psychological, physical, developmental and educational well-being of children is paramount and in which a supportive, empathetic and non-judgemental approach is used in all interactions with children and their families.

·  To promote inclusive attitudes and practices to accommodate and support the diversity of the RAF and local community.

·  To promote, encourage and support the active involvement of parents/carers, including childminders, as partners in all the activities of the various settings.

·  To promote and support the development of an innovative approach to children’s learning and play that includes a respectful image of children as competent and capable, and a close relationship between the Centre and the community.

3. Management

·  To manage a team of qualified, trainee and volunteer staff providing childcare and early education services within the related settings.

·  To work closely with the RAF, Governing body and Deputy Manager as part of a mutually supportive management team

·  To identify the staff resources required, and to organise the recruitment, induction and training of all childcare staff

·  To support childminders, encouraging them to participate in activities and events and providing models of good practice, in order to enhance their existing skills and ongoing development

·  To assess training and development needs for all childcare staff and volunteers and identify appropriate training and development opportunities.

·  To provide regular support and supervision for all childcare staff.

·  To provide regular monitoring reports to the various funding bodies, as required

·  To oversee and manage the budget for the childcare and crèche services.

·  To attend management and strategic meetings and contribute to the development of high quality childcare services

·  To ensure effective day-to-day management and administration of the nursery including record-keeping, report-writing, monitoring, database maintenance etc.

·  To oversee effective administration of fee collection.

·  To ensure that all Safeguarding Children Board procedures relating to child protection issues are implemented and adhered to as necessary.

4. Provision and Promotion of High Quality Play and Learning opportunities

·  To be responsible for the provision of stimulating and secure care and learning environments for young children, which enable children to develop to their full potential and encourage positive parent/carer-child relationships.

·  To promote an environment where children are encouraged to explore and investigate, directing their own activities and play as much as is practicable, while ensuring that the critical elements of an early years curriculum are fulfilled.

·  To promote a creative and innovative range of play and learning experiences, making full use of indoor and outdoor opportunities and facilities and utilising external facilitators where appropriate.

·  To ensure that the emotional needs of children are treated on an equal level as physical, educational and other needs.

·  To ensure that the approach to all areas of work with children, staff and parents/carers in the Centre is empathetic, positive and non-judgmental.

·  To assess the needs of all children and develop care and development programmes to meet those needs.

·  To provide appropriate services and support for children with special needs and their families.

·  To keep up to date with relevant legislation, policy and practice.

·  To establish an inclusive environment that welcomes and accommodates the diversity of cultures within the local community.

·  To ensure that all Ofsted registration and inspection requirements are met and essential policies such as Health and Safety, First Aid, Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding Children, Data Protection, Confidentiality etc are implemented consistently throughout the Centre with respect to the delivery of the early years education and childcare and play services.

·  To be committed to providing a quality childcare service and undertake to complete relevant accreditation schemes to demonstrate this.

·  Arrange for parents/carers to be given regular information about the curriculum, the progress of their children and other matters affecting the Centre to promote a shared understanding of its aims.

5. Job Activities – Standard Terms Common to all Job Descriptions

·  To promote the organisation's Equal Opportunities policies.

·  Promote the organisation’s quality systems including Investors in People and ISO9001

·  In discharging the duties of the post to have due regard for the provisions of Health & Safety at Work legislation, as detailed in the Health & Safety manual.

·  To undertake such additional duties as required which are commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

·  To work outside of your normal shift pattern at any location in keeping with the demands of your job and the changing needs of 4Children. As much notice as possible will be given should this be required.

·  A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and families.

·  This job description describes responsibilities, as they are currently required. It is anticipated duties will change over time and the job description may need to be reviewed in the future

Person specification

Essential
Education & qualifications /

1.  Level 3 early years and childcare qualification

2.  Enhanced CRB Disclosure Certificate
Experience & Abilities / 1.  At least three years’ experience of working as a Manager of a nursery with children in the 0-11 age range and their families.

2.  Experience of leading a staff team, including supervision, work allocation, assessment of training and professional development needs

3.  Detailed knowledge of the emotional, physical, psychological and educational development of children, in order to provide an environment in which the child’s full potential can be developed, and in which parents/carers can be supported in their relationship with their children.
4.  Detailed knowledge of the particular requirements of children with special needs in terms of their support, development and care planning.
5.  Experience of working with parents and carers from a range of cultural backgrounds, encouraging full participation in their children’s play and learning opportunities
6.  Experience of working with trainees and/or volunteers, facilitating their ongoing personal and professional development
7.  Experience of managing budgets
8.  Knowledge of all legislation relating to childcare
9.  Knowledge of the Code of Practice for Special Educational needs
10. Knowledge of child protection issues and policies and relevant Safeguarding Children Board procedures
11. A working knowledge of relevant Health & safety and Basic Food Hygiene requirements
Skills:
-  Planning & Organising
-  Information resources
-  Communication
/ 12. To be able to motivate, lead and supervise a staff team (including trainees and volunteers)
13. Ability to assess training and other professional development needs.
14. Plan team/specialist meetings and organise case conferences involving internal/external parties.
15. Ability to coordinate administration of childcare services, including fee collection and all record keeping required by Ofsted to meet EYFS framework.
16. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the writing of reports and records
17. Able to use Word, Excel and databases
18. An empathetic, supportive and non-judgemental attitude towards children, parents/carers, staff and trainees/volunteers
Personal Qualities:
-  Interpersonal skills
- Communications
-  Team/Collabor-
ative working
-  Flexibility / 19. Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of other professionals and agencies in order to provide the best possible support for children and their families
20. Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of users, partners, providers, volunteer and staff.
21. Ability to contribute to ideas and strategic planning for the ongoing development and improvement of services

22. An understanding of the needs of volunteers and trainees.

23. Responsive to change and ideas; able to adapt to new systems and flexible working patterns
24. Committed to continuing professional development
25. Able to plan and prioritise in a flexible and informed way
Desirable / 1. Experience of managing out-of-school services
2. Experience of working with management committees, partnership groups, community forums etc
3. Experience of working with outreach workers, community groups, voluntary sector organisations etc, as a way of building and maintaining links with the local community

4. Experience of working within a new/developing project, with particular emphasis on developing high quality childcare services.

PRINCIPAL TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE MANAGER

1.  Hours of Work

40/37 hours per week.

2.  Duration of Contract

Permanent.

3.  Holidays

25 days plus bank holidays plus an extra 1 day for every year of service to a maximum of 28 days per annum plus bank holidays.

4.  Salary

£20,000.00/18,500 per annum

5.  Method of Pay

Salaries are paid by direct debit into the staff members nominated bank

account on the 15th day of each month.

6.  Place of Work

Little Flyers RAF Boulmer, Portal Place, Longhoughton, Northumberland, NE66 3JN

7.  Benefits

We have a comprehensive benefits scheme which includes an employers contribution to pension of up to 6% and a life assurance scheme.

8.  Trade Unions

The organisation has a recognition agreement with Unite the Union.

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Early Years & Childcare Manager, Boulmer

November 2015