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Pupil Support Assistant - Outdoor Early Years

 

Salary:  £12 per hour

Hours: Fixed term. Until April 2022. 16 hours per week

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8.40 - 4.10. Plus 1 hour paid training.

This post may continue beyond April subject to funding.

Location:  Kinder Croft Outdoor Nursery

Leckmelm Wood, Ullapool, Ross-shire, IV23 2RH

Responsible to: Kinder Croft CIC Manager

Start Date: Negotiable

Application: Please email a cv and cover letter to mplanterose@me.com

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This post is underrepresented in males. Applications from males are encouraged.

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Outdoor Early Years Practitioner (or trainee)

Salary:  £12 per hour.

Hours: Permanent. Part time. 8 hours a week (Ordinarily Fridays) + 1hr paid training.

38-43 weeks per year (optional holiday club participation)

Location:  Leckmelm Wood, Ullapool, Ross-shire, IV23 2RH

Responsible to: Nursery Manager

Applications close: 10th February 2023

Start Date: negotiable start date

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We are looking for an Outdoor Early Years Practitioner to join the team at our registered Outdoor Nursery near Ullapool. We care for children aged 2-7 term time and children aged up to 14 during holidays. We are currently open Mondays 8.30-1.30 and Tuesday to Friday, 8.30-4.30.

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Job Description

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To work as part of the Kinder Croft team in delivering year-round day care to children aged 2-7 (to 14 during holidays) in an outdoor setting; To facilitate child-led, play based, nature focusses learning; To foster a supportive and empathetic environment where children feel safe and included; To work collaboratively with parents and professionals.

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We encourage applicants with an interest in the outdoors and we are committed to providing further training as required, particularly Forest School Leader training. We aim to support all members of our team to pursue their goals and reach their potential. As a Community Interest Company all our profits are invested back into the Nursery.

 

This role is under represented in males and we would encourage male applicants.

 

Finally, we understand that taking on a job in Ullapool may pose housing issues and we will do our best to assist in this.

 

Key Responsibilities

To work as part of a team in order to provide an enabling environment in which all individual children can play, develop and learn.

Have sound knowledge of Early Years Curriculum for Excellence

To develop and maintain strong partnerships and communication with parents/carers to facilitate day-to-day caring and early learning needs

To keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff

Contribute to recording, reporting and other relevant administration

To read, understand and apply all policies and procedures relevant to your role and the safe running of the nursery

To ensure good standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness and help children with personal care tasks

To work closely with the nursery manager and to support any nursery assistants, students and volunteers.

Plus any other duties required by the manager

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Person Specification

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We are looking for an appropriately qualified and motivated Nursery Practitioner with great people skills. You must be passionate about connecting with children and nature. Working outside everyday might be new to applicants and although this is a key part of the job we have a large open shelter, heated shed and a small heated staff office on site. The site for the nursery is a sheltered woodland, featuring fabulous panoramic views of Loch Broom and the surrounding mountains.

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Qualifications and Training (if in a trainee position to will be supported to work towards a qualification)

HNC Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 7 (formerly SVQ 3) or

Equivalent practice qualification or past practice qualification as accepted by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or

A teaching qualification or

Relevant outdoor or environmental qualifications and the ability and willing to undertake further training to achieve required qualifications.

SSSC Registration as a Practitioner (with or without conditions) within 6 months of taking up post

Currently or able to join the PVG scheme.

Able to supply two references.

Please contact us with any questions or visit the SSSC website.

Essential Qualities

Be committed to ensuring the best start for children

Be motivated, engaging, creative and enthusiastic

Have good interpersonal skills

Be committed to your personal development and training.

Willingness to gain a recognised Professional Status i.e. Early Years Professional Status (SSSC), First Aid certificate and Elementary Food Hygiene

Ability to travel to nursery site, 3 miles outside Ullapool.

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Desirable Qualities

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Have experience working with young children

Have an understanding of the role of planning and recording of learning.

Have a sound understanding of child development

Have the ability to think and address challenges as they arise

Experience of working in an early years setting and experience of working in partnership with parents

Experience and understanding of the curriculum for excellence.

Have a passion for working with young children in the outdoors.

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Business Administrator

Remuneration:  £12-£14 per hour (depending on experience)

Hours: Permanent. Part time. 7 hours per week minimum. Potential for up to 14 hours per week for the right candidate.

Location:  Kinder Croft Outdoor Nursery

Leckmelm Wood, Ullapool, Ross-shire, IV23 2RH

Responsible to: Kinder Croft CIC Manager

Start Date: Negotiable

Application: Please email a cv and cover letter to mplanterose@me.com

 

Kinder Croft is an outdoor nursery, established in 2019, set within a forest on the outskirts of Ullapool. Kinder Croft is a Community Interest Company lead by board of directors who are passionate about the benefits of outdoor learning. The Business Administrator will be responsible to the Nursery Manager and Board of Directors.

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Job Description

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We are seeking to recruit an organised and motivated Business Administrator to join the team at our registered Outdoor Nursery. We care for 2-7 year olds, year round, term time, and operate

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holiday care for children aged up to 14. The nursery is set in 30 hectares of mature conifer plantation. Your main duties will be office based, carrying out administrative tasks, but you will be required to work on site assisting in the delivery of care when cover is needed. This provides contingency for the small nursery team.

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The ability to work as part of a team is essential.

 

The successful applicant must agree to Disclosure Scotland checks.

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The ability to access the forest site 3 miles south of Ullapool is essential. There are no public transport links.

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Key Responsibilities – in partnership with the manager and board of directors.

You will work in partnership with and provide administrative support to the manager.

Running and organizing the office

Ordering

Enrolments

Invoicing

Liaising with Partner agencies such as the Highland Council and schools

Financial planning

Recruitment

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Advertising and Marketing including running social media accounts

To keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff

Contribute to recording, reporting and other administration relevant to the role.

Provide occasional on site support when cover is needed. Duties would generally be shopping, cooking and cleaning but may involve working directly with children outdoors.

 

Person Specification

 

You must be competent using a computer and associated software programs. You must have access to your own mode of transport to reach the site 3 miles south east of Ullapool. This role is exempt from the rehabilitation of offenders act 1974. All staff are required to undergo PVG checks and must be registered or be willing to register with the Scottish Social Service Council under Practitioners in Daycare of Children within 6 months of taking up post and complete relevant training.

 

Qualifications and Training - this post may suit someone without formal qualifications or training

Full training will be given.

You will be required to register as an assistant practitioner in order to work on site providing cover. Please see the SSSC website for a list of qualifications. It is ordinarily possible to achieve a provisional registration with the commitment to complete relevant qualifications within the first 5 year registration period.

https://www.sssc.uk.com/registration/help-with-register-parts-fees-and-qualifications/

Further information

Please contact nursery manager Merlin at mplanterose@me.com or call on 07845232776

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Further reading

Please see our website at www.kindercroft.org

We are inspired by Forest Schools pedagogy, Reggio Emilia and Children in Permaculture.

 

We aim to support all members of our team to pursue their goals and reach their potential. Training opportunities may include Outdoor First aid training and Campfire Food and Safety.

 

Finally, we understand that taking on a job in Ullapool may pose housing issues and we are available to assist in finding accommodation if needed.

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Board Members