Early Years Assistant Practitioner

York Campus Nursery Overview

Join York Campus Nursery, a setting committed to fostering a safe, happy, and multicultural environment for children aged three months to school age. We nurture and encourage every child's diversity and potential, providing a secure, caring, and stimulating place for them to develop socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Our modern, purpose-built premises on Kimberlow Lane, Heslington, provide care for up to 94 children across dedicated rooms for infants, toddlers, and pre-school.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven Early Years Assistant to join our supportive, experienced toddler team. In this role, you will work in a vibrant and ever-changing environment, playing a crucial part in shaping children's early development.

Role and Responsibilities

As a key member of our childcare team, the Early Years Assistant is responsible for working within the toddler room providing a warm, safe, and stimulating environment for children aged 3 and 5 years and 11 months.

The role involves supporting children's development socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) and the Nursery's core principles: quality and consistency, secure foundations, partnership working, equality of opportunity, and anti-discriminatory practice.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Early Years Practitioner and Room Leader with the day-to-day running of the room.

• Caring for children and maintaining a high-quality, stimulating learning environment that offers a wide range of activities in line with EYFS.

• Assisting with the security and safekeeping of the Nursery premises and materials.

• Assisting with assessments of children and contributing to learning journals.

• Being vigilant to protect children from harm and abuse, reporting any concerns immediately in accordance with child protection and whistleblowing policies.

Essential Requirements

• A publicly recognised Level 2 or above qualification in childcare.

• Relevant experience of working with the 0-5 age range is essential.

• Ability to work sympathetically with children, parents, and colleagues.

• An awareness of equal opportunity issues.

Role Details

• Salary: £13.86 per hour

• Hours of work: 27.5 per week (Monday to Friday).

Benefits of Working for YCL

• Generous Annual Leave: 38 days including 8 bank holidays (pro rata) and two weeks off at Christmas.

• Enhanced Benefits: Enhanced company sick pay, maternity and paternity pay, and workplace pension schemes.

• Professional Development: Free training, with attendance paid.

• Wellbeing & Discounts: Free and confidential 24/7 wellbeing support, concession rates at York Sport Village and Centre, and discounts at campus outlets, local/national retailers, and attractions.

• Work Perks: Affordable on-site parking, DBS application cost covered, and salary sacrifice schemes (including Cycle to Work and campus nursery).

To find out more about York Campus Nursery please visit the York Campus Nursery website.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis therefore, suitable candidates will be contacted and invited to attend an interview whilst this vacancy is live. Candidates will be asked to inform us of their availability for an interview face to face. If a suitable candidate is found, this position may close at any time.

York Commercial Limited (YCL), is a subsidiary that is wholly owned by University of York, and it is manages the Catering outlets, conferences, Sports Centre and Village, Marketing, Design and Print Shop, Retail including on-campus Nisa and Gifts Shop in addition to Campus Nursery and York Science Park. YCL is known for its friendly environment, encouraging diversity and inclusion at workplace and for being a sustainable business.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.