Nursery Practitioner - 1 year Maternity Cover

Salary: Grade 3/ £24,892-26,395
Contract: Fixed term – 1 year
Location: Balliol College Day Nursery
Department: Nursery
Reports to: Nursery Manager
Hours: 38.75 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:15pm
Holiday: 30 days, plus Bank Holidays, during a complete holiday year, the majority of which are taken during the Christmas, Easter and August Nursery closure periods. The College reserves the right to require staff to work on Bank Holidays during full term, receiving a day in lieu.
Probation period 6 months
Notice period: 1 month on either side (during probation)/3 months on either side (after probation)

Balliol College

Situated in an historic site in central Oxford, Balliol has been a hub of learning and community since its foundation in 1263. As one of the larger colleges within the University of Oxford, it is home to roughly 860 students, with undergraduates making up just under half of the student body. The College also employs over 80 Fellows, 50 lecturers, and about 180 support staff, with Dame Helen Ghosh as its current Master. While academic excellence is at the core of Balliol’s mission, visitors are often struck by the College’s informal and welcoming atmosphere. Beyond its walls, Balliol has an active and engaged global community of over 8,000 alumni and donors. 

Further information about the College is available at www.balliol.ox.ac.uk.  

Purpose of the Post

Balliol Day Nursery is a small University College nursery, based on Rawlinson Road, North Oxford. We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Nursery Practitioner to provide cover during a period of maternity leave and to help deliver outstanding care and education to 16 mixed-aged children.

The Nursery is a warm, friendly and family orientated nursery. We have a small, dedicated team and are looking for someone to join us, who will enjoy the challenge of providing excellent care to children aged 6 months to 4 years.

This is an excellent opportunity if you hold a full and relevant Level 3 or above Early Years qualification.

Job duties and responsibilities

Safeguarding and approach

• Work as part of a small team providing and maintaining a happy, safe and enabling environment for all children, whilst adhering to Nursery policies and procedures.
• Make sure child protection and safeguarding is always promoted. Report all concerns in accordance with the nursery’s Safeguarding and Whistle blowing policies and procedures.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to challenge or report any discriminatory behaviour.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.

Childcare and development

• Be a key person to a group of four mixed aged children.
• Plan and provide stimulating and play experiences to develop children’s emotional, physical, social and cognitive capabilities in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Keep up-to-date records of children’s progress and learning, using the nursery’s online learning journal, Tapestry.  Share this journal with parents and encourage them to contribute.
• Promote good relationships with parents and carers, keeping them well informed about their children’s activities and progress. Support them where necessary with ideas to further develop the children’s learning and development at home.
• Have due regard to matters of confidentially. Ensure that we fulfil our legal obligation, to keep safe any personal or sensitive information which we hold about children and their families, in accordance with the nursery’s privacy notice and policies.
• Work with the management team, to create an attractive, stimulating environment for the children, with play areas, displays and activities, to inspire and engage them at all levels.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment. Carry out all cleaning and tidying routines and domestic chores as required.
• Provide for the children’s personal needs, with toileting and nappy changing, mealtimes and sleeping.
• Deal with minor injuries and provide initial first aid when needed.

Other

• Attend and contribute to fortnightly team meetings, training, supervision meetings and annual appraisals.

Work with outside professionals, attending and contributing to family meetings and/or child development appointments (sometimes away from the setting) where appropriate

Person Specification – skills and experience
Essential 
NVQ Level 3 or above early years qualification 
OSCB generalist safeguarding training 
Knowledge and proven practical experience of implementing good quality learning opportunities 
Demonstrate a love of working with young children and an ability to fully engage with them and motivate them on all levels Experience working in a Preschool/Nursery setting
Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal – competent IT skills
Ability to write reports and keep clear and accurate records
Excellent organisational skills
Calm and caring approach
Work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative
Reliable, enthusiastic and flexible
Committed to quality with a high level of motivation and enthusiasm
Fit and able to fully engage in all nursery activities and duties as necessary
Creative with a good sense of humour

Desirable
Level 2 food safety
Paediatric first aid
SENCO
Experience working in a Preschool/Nursery setting

Employee Benefits
Staff meals: A free two-course lunch is available in the Hall, when the kitchens are open.

Pension Oxford University Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS) This is a contributory pension scheme, with contributions from both the employee and the College. Further details are available here.

Travel: Interest-free ticket loans enabling the purchase of bus passes and annual rail season tickets to Oxford. Discounted travel is available on some services.

Cycle to work scheme offering discounted rates on bicycles and accessories.

Electric vehicle leasing scheme (salary sacrifice - eligibility criteria apply).

Healthcare Free flu jabs and eye tests

Free use of the College’s onsite gym and the University swimming pool

Preferential rates for other University sports facilities and the Nuffield Health gym on Woodstock Road.

University Club: Free membership of the University Club, which offers food, drink and accommodation in an exclusive space for staff, postgraduates and alumni.

Learning and personal development In addition to training organised by the College, resources are available from the University.

Visitor access: Free visitor access to the 45 colleges and halls of the University, the University’s Libraries, Botanic Gardens, Arboretum and Museums.

Employee discounts: Available at local and national retailers and online services using exclusive discount codes for University staff and with a TOTUM (formerly NUS) card.

Balliol nursery: A day-time nursery on Rawlinson Road, subject to availability. Subsidised rates are available for Balliol staff.

Application procedure
Informal enquiries Candidates wishing to have an initial conversation about the role should in the first instance contact the Nursery Manager, Hannah O’Brien hannah.obrien@balliol.ox.ac.uk

Written applications Applications should be made online at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/careers. This vacancy will close when sufficient applications have been received. Early applications are encouraged.

Interviews: Shortlisting will take place when sufficient applications have been received.

Safeguarding: This role is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks including enhanced disclosure and barring system checks, overseas checks where necessary and two reference checks.

Right to Work Shortlisted candidates will be expected to supply original documentation proving that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

Equal Opportunities Balliol College is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants are asked to complete a separate confidential Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to help us fulfil our duties in this regard. Applicants should let us know if they require reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process.

Data Protection Personal data is processed in accordance with Balliol College’s Privacy Policy which is available at https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/privacy-policy