Head of Early Years

Job Title: Head of Early Years

Start date: September 2023

Reports to: Headmistress

Working hours: 8am to 5pm full time (40 hours per week),

Contract: Permanent, term time - 44 weeks

Location: Falcons Pre-Preparatory School, Chiswick

MAIN DUTIES:

• To lead our Early Years Team, promoting effective teaching and learning and supporting the planning and implementation of activities with individual or groups of children;
• To ensure all Early Years children are offered a safe, secure, caring and supportive environment to provide a safe, happy and stimulating learning environment, providing opportunities to foster the pupils’ growth and development within the Nursery and Reception class;
• To plan, organise and teach a class of nursery-aged children;
• To work closely with all staff as a member of the Senior Leadership team.

 OTHER DUTIES: 

• To be part of our Early Years Team, providing a purposeful, stimulating environment rich in learning opportunities, both indoors and outdoors.
• To promote the inclusion of all children.
• To use professional knowledge of the individual and diverse ways that children learn and develop, to meet their differing needs.
• To establish positive and sensitive relationships with children.
• To act as a role model and set achievable expectations.
• To be responsible for organising the environment inside and outside, ensuring that resources and equipment are available and appropriate to meet the needs of the individual children in Early Years.These activities will take into account children’s abilities interests, language and cultural backgrounds.
• To meet the physical needs of children, encouraging good standards of personal hygiene, whilst promoting independence.
• To provide support for the children’s emotional and social needs.
• To encourage children to interact and work co-operatively with others.
• To support the School’s commitment on safeguarding children in all aspects of the EYFS service.
• To be responsible for the planning, development and delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to meet all learning interests and needs of children, extending them where necessary. To contribute to the review and further development of the Early Years Foundation Stage in the nursery.
• To support the team in monitoring and evaluating the children's learning through a range of assessment and monitoring strategies.
• To contribute to the setting and review of Learning and Development Plan (LDP) targets in addition to developmental action plans.
• To provide objective and accurate feedback and reports for parents and other professionals on children’s achievements, progress and related matters.
• To develop positive and sensitive relationships with parents and carers to support their role in children's learning. To provide constructive feedback on children’s progress/achievement, on a day-to-day basis or through parent meetings.
• To be proactive in the continuation of your own learning to improve the outcomes for children and their families.
• To have a clear knowledge of, and adhere to, all Health and Safety Regulations.
• To comply and assist with the development of policies and procedures.
• To attend meetings as required and participate in training opportunities and performance development.
• To be accountable for the delivery of the above responsibilities and tasks.
• To undertake any duties set to you by the Headteacher that will assist in the day-to-day running of the Nursery and Reception classes.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Skills, aptitude, knowledge and experience

Essential

• Proven experience of working with children in a school environment; 
• Experience of working as part of a team; 
• Confidence in using IT systems.
• Ability to work independently, using own initiative;
• Ability to evaluate own learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities;
• Ability to relate well to children and adults including colleagues, other professionals and parents;
• Ability to demonstrate and promote good practice in line with the ethos of the school; 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, whilst ensuring children, colleagues, parents and carers are respected and listened to; 
• Ability to communicate effectively with adults and children; 
• Good written, verbal and non-verbal communication.   
•   

Personal qualities

Essential

• Proactive and positive team player, able to work constructively as part of a team; 
• Enthusiasm for learning and working with children; 
• Caring, friendly, approachable, open, welcoming, and personable;
• Able to maintain confidentiality at all times.  

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 6 TA Diploma or equivalent;
• Willingness to participate in other development and training opportunities  

Desirable

• Relevant qualifications 
• Safeguarding Awareness course
• Pediatric First Aid certificate 

Application closing date: Thursday 13 April 2023

The school reserves the right to appoint before the deadline.

APG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Please click the link below for further information on employing Ex-Offenders:

Policy on employment of ex-offenders.pdf (alphaplusgroup.co.uk)

for further information on employing Ex-Offenders:

Policy on employment of ex-offenders.pdf (alphaplusgroup.co.uk)