Contact information
Please contact Sarah Hendley for any enquiries about the role:
Telephone: 01924 543039
Email: sarah.hendley1@nhs.net
About the role
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team at Abacus Nursery as a full time Childcare Practitioner.
- To use an individual approach to each child, building on their existing skills by introducing them to a wide range of experiences.
- To continue to improve and maintain the high quality of the service providing a rich and stimulating learning environment which is sensitive to the children’s cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities.
- To act as an expert to less experienced staff, childcare students and give support and advice to parents.
- Day to day safety and security of the nursery including opening and closing of the premises dealing with telephone calls, and visitors.
- Administrate medication to the child as instructed by their parent/guardian ensuring the correct storage and documentation procedure is followed. Taking the necessary action when a child becomes ill during the nursery day, seeking advice from a senior member of staff to decide at which point a parent should be contacted.
- Communicate through an annual parents evening and daily basis to parents and staff, about the children’s welfare, development and health and social care.
- As a child’s key person ensure effective communication links with team members and other professionals for example Area SENCO, Health Visitor, Child Protection Nurse, Therapist, and Educational Specialist.
- Work closely with colleagues and the Nursery Manager/Deputy Nursery Managers to ensure the high quality standards are maintained. This will be done on a daily basis and through monthly staff meetings, quality improvement meetings and team meetings.
- To be responsible for the entire child’s personal care during the nursery day including feeding, changing nappies, or soiled clothing, special dietary requirement, sterilization of feeding, and play equipment.
Main duties
- Maintain a professional appearance in line with the Trust dress code
- Uphold the Trust’s values and behaviours (available on the Trust web site) and behave in a manner fitting with the responsible position of the role, maintaining the public confidence
- Maintain professional and courteous working relationships with staff and respect the equality and diversity of each and every person he/she comes into contact within the course of his/her business
- Uphold the privacy and dignity of the client group and respect equality at all times
- To have an understanding and work within the guidelines of Ofsted’s Statutory Framework for Early Years and the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
- To participate in team/individual planning and evaluation of children’s individual development needs, play and learning activities
- To ensure the environment is rich, stimulating and sensitive to the children’s cultural and individual needs and promotes equal opportunities
- To ensure the daily routines are adhered to and participate in all appropriate arrangements
- Record and maintain children’s observation and assessment records using a digital record system programme and IPad.
- Sharing the child’s development and assessment records with the parents
- Actively participate in and support the nurseries ECERS and ITERS quality monitoring system
- To have knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and to comply with policy and procedures of the Nursery and Trust
- To promote positive behaviour through the use of praise and reward whilst communicating effectively with children at their level in calm, caring, reassuring manner
- To work with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, raising awareness of individual children which you have concerns about regarding their development
- To participate in nursery policy and procedure reviews
- To encourage parental participation in all aspects of the nursery
Key requirements
- English GCSE Grade 4-9 or equivalent
- Level 3 in Childcare Qualification
- Paediatric First Aid
- Food Safety Certificate Level 2
Be part of MY team
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance:
We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Our benefits
- Access to the NHS pension plan
- Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
- Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
- Extensive benefits and support, including:
- Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Home electronics scheme
- Car lease salary sacrifice scheme
- Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
- Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
- Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
- Career progression, training and support
Skilled worker sponsorship
You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our careers site.
