Early Years Lead Professional (Maternity Cover)

Birkenhead School, founded in 1860, is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral, Liverpool and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a ‘village green’ atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. There are ongoing and substantial investments in facilities.

The School comprises Nursery and Pre-Prep (Early Years), Prep and Seniors and integrates their objectives and activities within a ‘One School’ concept. Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school and this has been greatly strengthened by the opening of the Nursery in 2006. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one school and it is a great advantage for the School to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families. 

A dedicated, talented and collegiate staff body is required to achieve these aims. The School’s informal motto is Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, to which we have recently added inclusivity, compassion, integrity, humility and courage as defined School values. Birkenhead School recruits on attitude as much as the quality of an individual’s qualifications on paper.

The Department

Pre-Prep is the second phase in the Early Years provision at Birkenhead School, looking after children from 3-5 years. It is an exciting and fun environment with bright modern classrooms and its own outside play area and covered terrace. It has secure play facilities and the children also enjoy activities across many other areas of the site including, where appropriate, the Forest School. Children make friendships with their peers across different year groups, and therefore Pre-Prep provides an excellent and secure foundation for them to make the move through the School.

Our Early Years’ provision has been classed as ‘Outstanding’ in the December 2021 Independent Schools Inspectorate inspection (Ofsted standards) and in the previous three inspections.

Role and Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Head of Early Years you will plan and implement activities in line with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, providing a wonderful environment in which children can enjoy themselves while learning and developing. We have two temporary roles for both an Early Years Lead Professional and Early Years Graduate.

Key Responsibilities

•  To support the Head of Early Years and Deputy in delivering a high quality provision within the setting
• To be fully conversant with the Early Years Statutory Framework and Development Matters sections for the Early Years Foundation Stage, ensuring they are met at all times.
• To understand when a child is in need of support and refer any concerns to the Pre-Prep Deputy.
• To carry out all responsibilities in line with the School’s equal opportunities framework.
• To consult with the Head of Early Years regarding the care and education of children in Pre-Prep.
• To implement policies and procedures set by the School.

Key Duties:

• Plan and provide safe, appropriate, child-led and adult initiated activities and experiences both indoors and outdoors which enable children to thrive.
• Ensure children get the best start in life by working in close partnership with parents/carers to develop independence, confidence and self-esteem, building children’s resilience and well-being.
• Demonstrate the positive values, attitudes and behaviours expected from children and staff members (with reference to the principles of Fundamental British Values).
• To encourage high expectations of all the children and to demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that they can expand their full potential and achieve it.
• Give children constructive feedback to help them evaluate their achievements and facilitate further learning.
• Observe, assess, record and report on progress in children’s development and learning, using this to plan their next steps.
• Differentiate provision to meet the individual needs of the child and provide opportunities to extend their learning and development.
• Practice and promote current legal requirements, policies and guidance on health and safety, child protection and safeguarding.

The Person

Skills and Knowledge:

• Level 6 qualification in either Early Years Professional Status, Early Years Teacher Status or QTS
• Working knowledge of the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage with the ability to implement policies
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a childcare setting
• A sound knowledge of child development
• Experience of observations, planning and assessment
• An understanding of effective behaviour management strategies desirable, with a confidence in promoting positive behaviour in children
• Knowledge of SEND, Code of Practice and Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures

The full list of responsibilities and personal attributes can be found on Birkenhead School website under Employment Opportunities.

Hours

This is a temporary full time, year round post, usually between the hours of 8.00am and 6.00pm. A degree of flexibility is required to allow for occasional activities involving working outside the normal hours. All staff are expected to attend training days.

Other Benefits

• We will value and support your contribution to School life and in return provide you with excellent rewards; 
• Working with fantastic children in a unique and happy environment
• Working as part of a committed and well-qualified team
• Membership of the Pension Scheme
• Membership of the Employee Assistance Programme
• Free use of the fully equipped on-site gym
• Generous support for your continuous professional development
• Lunch provided
• Relaxed uniform policy (smart trousers/blouse/top and appropriate footwear)

A letter of application indicating skills and experience, together with a completed application form, including the names and email addresses of at least two referees, should be sent for the attention of the Head of Prep via Cheryl Wallace, Personnel Manager.

To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. As Birkenhead School is an educational provider, it is permitted to ask whether an applicant has any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings which would not be filtered in line with current guidance, as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). It is a criminal offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for a role which is classed as regulated activity.

Closing Date for Applications is Monday 10th October 2022.