Department
Set in the peaceful surroundings of Wivenhoe Park on our Colchester Campus the Day Nursery offers high quality care and education to children from 3 months to 5 years. We are open to the general public, university staff and students.
We are looking for a passionate, inspiring and motivated Forest Schools Practitioner to join our pre-school team in leading and implementing regular forest schools sessions. The setting is lucky enough to have access to the beautiful facilities and surroundings of the University of Essex Colchester Campus, including a lake, wooded areas and open spaces.
Duties of the Role
To lead, manage and motivate a team of Early Years Educators and an Apprentice Early Years Educator. This will include supervision and performance development reviews, training and development and performance management, ensuring that staff achieves the necessary standard of performance, taking corrective action as appropriate.
As Senior Forest School Practitioner, you will be responsible for the smooth running of the Forest Schools, monitoring health and safety risks making necessary changes to the environment if needed and ensure that staff follow Health and Safety guidelines at all times.
Additional duties include;
* To ensure the forest schools ethos and approach is embedded within the day to day running of Forest schools * To be flexible in times of emergency and staff absence to ensure there is adequate cover.* To create a development plan for Forest Schools that underpins the Ofsted Self Evaluation Form.* To respond to any parental complaints in a sensitive and timely manner, seeking advice from the Nursery Manager, Head of Early Years Practice and the Deputy Manager as appropriate.* To challenge unprofessional behaviour ensuring you are an excellent role model at all times.* To provide cover for other Senior Early Years Educators as required.* Selling the nursery service to prospective clients effectively delivering high standards of care and provision during Forest Schools sessions and answering any queries and by attending marketing and promotional events as required.* Host regular meetings for your team and facilitate staff training.* To be involved in the training of students and apprentices, and cooperate with student projects.* Assist the Nursery Manager, Head of Early Years Practice and Deputy Managers in implementing staff rotas / lunch cover as required.
Skills and qualifications requiredIn order to be successful, you must have completed the following qualifications and training;* NNEB or NVQ Level 3 Childcare or equivalent* Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership* Minimum GCSE Grade C, or equivalent, in English and Mathematics* First Aid training (Appropriate for Forest Schools) * Level 2 safeguarding training.
It is essential that you have experience of working with all age ranges under 5, along with the understanding of Early Learning Journals and record keeping. You will have experience of managing and motivating a small team of staff and have the ability to manage the performance of staff effectively, within a multi-cultural environment. You will also have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with children, parents and colleagues.
You must have the ability to undertake the physical aspects of the post with a flexible approach to working. You must also have the ability to fulfil the requirement of a DBS check.
Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please telephone (01206 876559).
This recruitment campaign is being administered by the University of Essex on behalf of University of Essex Campus Services Ltd, a wholly owned company of the University. Some aspects of the information provided on this recruitment website may not apply to this appointment.
