Childcare Practitioner

Purpose of the Job :

1. To work as part of a team in providing a safe, caring, happy and stimulating environment for the children in our care.
2. To ensure that the high standards of care, service, safety and hygiene are maintained according to all Bumbles Day Care policies, procedures and routines.

A Practitioner in Bumbles Day Care will be expected to :

1. Assist in assessing each individual child’s needs and, in conjunction with the Co-ordinator and other colleagues, carry out observations and implement plans to meet those needs. This includes following the critical daily information each day and being aware of allergies and additional needs of children in the group to which you are assigned each day.
2. Assist in the daily organisation of the room to which you are assigned / Bumbles as a whole.
3. Assist the team with the development and implementation of varied weekly play programmes, as directed by the Co-ordinator. In our wrap around settings it is important to remember that the children should also be included in the planning stages, where appropriate.
4. Ensure that all activities carried out are within an equal opportunities framework and encourage community wide participation and delivery.
5. Ensure that play equipment / art materials / furniture are set up, cleaned and tidied away in a safe manner and stored in designated areas. Ensure that all toys, equipment and resources are well looked after.
6. Ensure that the floors are kept clean throughout the day by brushing or vacuuming as appropriate
7. Ensure that each piece of equipment is thoroughly washed every week, as appropriate to the age group following an organisational schedule, as required, or as directed by a co-ordinator.
8. Ensure laundry is done every week / daily as appropriate.
9. Ensure infection control procedures are kept in check at all times by following all related procedures. These will be further explained during induction.
10. Ensure that each room’s inventory is kept up to date at all times and that the co-ordinator or deputy manager is informed of any materials or equipment needing replaced, discarding any broken items immediately into a bin. If can be fixed, please complete a facilities management form on the website and store the item appropriately until this can be completed.
11. Assist with nappy changing or toileting as necessary, ensuring that every child’s needs are met. Remember that the child’s right to privacy is paramount.
12. Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to the designated child protection officer.
13. Supervise children at all snack and meal times and as appropriate. Assist with feeding, teaching and encouraging the children with regard to their development of self-care / self-help skills. Ensure that children with food allergies have the appropriate place mat at snack and meal times.
14. Ensure that no child is left unattended at any time.
15. Ensure that each child is collected by someone known to Bumbles or that it has been cleared by parent / guardian(s). If unsure, ask a co-ordinator or member of the management team.
16. Report / record all incidents and accidents accurately and promptly via phone, famly or the website. Always follow this up verbally.
17. Communicate with parents daily on the well-being of their children, relaying any relevant information from them to other members of the team and to the manager ensuring that good information links are sustained at all times.
18. Ensure the accurate completion of daily and other records as directed by the co-ordinator. Some of these will be digital, and some will be hard copy.
19. Ensure the safe storage and administration of all medicines according to policy and as directed by the co-ordinator.
20. Ensure that the management team have been informed every morning of medicines that have to be administered that day.
21. Ensure economical use of all materials and supplies eg kitchen roll, wipes, art materials.
22. Co-operate and participate, when requested by the co-ordinator or manager in the provision of other duties:
    • Supervising children to and from local schools, parks and local recreation areas
    • Accompanying children on ‘outings’, ensuring their safe conduct.
23. If engaged in collecting children from nursery or school, ensure to do so in a professional manner where the safety of the children is paramount.
24. Participate in training programmes, as required. Training may have to be undertaken outside working hours.
25. Answer the office telephone when authorised to do so and relay any messages to the appropriate person.
26. Work on a rota basis which will involve all duties associated with opening up or closing procedures.
27. Attend any other duties relevant to the post.

As a Practitioner in Bumbles, you :

1. Should ensure the development of good interpersonal relationships with children, parents and other staff.
2. Must wear the appropriate uniform and maintain a professional appearance whilst at Bumbles. Our policy is to get outdoors every day, you must come prepared to spend portions of the day outdoors in all weathers.
3. Should strive to maintain high levels of attendance at Bumbles.
4. Should keep abreast with the current legislation and development in the field of childcare, ensuring your own continuous professional development.
5. May be required to assist in the orientation, induction and training of new staff and students. You may not always be assigned to the same group and co-operation in this fluidity is essential to the smooth running of Bumbles.
6. Should be observant of any signs of ill health or stress factors in staff and report to the manager, as appropriate.
7. Should report to the Co-ordinator / manager immediately any matter of concern regarding individual children, staff or parents.
8. Must ensure that your areas of responsibility have the correct adult to child ratio at all times.
9. Must ensure that any information obtained through work about children. Parents or their families is treated as confidential information.
10. Must always conduct yourself and perform your duties in a manner that reflects the high standards expected from every member of our team at Bumbles. You should bear in mind that any negative representation of yourself could have an impact on your reputation or relationships with peers or parents and could result in disciplinary action.
11. Must adhere to all of Bumbles policies and procedures.

Health and Safety :

1. To ensure that care is taken for the health and safety of yourself, the staff, children and any persons on the premises in accordance with the health and safety policies.
2. To observe all safety and hygiene rules, policies and procedures of Bumbles.
3. To comply and adhere to fire policies and procedures.

Person specification

N.B. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them.

This job description is kept under review, and in consultation with staff may be amended to meet the changing needs at Bumbles.