Nursery Practitioner
at Mini Malvern

We're looking for a experienced Nursery Practitioners to join our expanding Mini Malvern nursery team.

About our Educational Setting

The Downs Malvern is a busy, vibrant and successful co-educational preparatory school for boarding and day children aged between 6 months and 13 years. The school is part of the Malvern College Family of Schools and is situated in extensive, beautiful and safe grounds on the Herefordshire side of the Malvern Hills. The facilities are first class and, through a wide range of exciting and challenging opportunities, we are able to offer each child an outstanding preparatory education.

The nursery comprises three bright, modern classrooms and two outdoor gardens with adventure play areas, in addition to accessing The Downs Malvern’s beautiful 55-acre site, including a Forest School and a smallholding with pigs, quail, chickens, and sheep.

Find out more about working at The Downs Malvern.

The Role

The Downs Malvern are looking to recruit a Nursery Practitioner to be part of our newly expanded Mini Malvern Nursery for children aged 6 months and up.

This is a chance to be part of a high calibre team in a culture that emphasises the development of people.

In this role, you will be responsible for supporting children aged 22+ months in our ‘Saplings’ and ‘Oaks’ rooms and will work closely with the Nursery Manager to ensure the Nursery provision remains at a consistently high standard. You will have a deep knowledge of Early Years Education and a willingness to nurture and support children in their early development.

If this role is an opportunity that excites you, and you believe that you have the necessary skills, experience and attributes, then we would be delighted to receive your application.

If you have a query regarding the application process, please contact the Human Resources Team either via email humanresources@malverncollege.org.uk or by phone 01684 581 647.

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Hours and Benefits

This role can be worked on a flexible basis either part time or full time and can be discussed at interview. A full time basis is 40 hours per week. Mini Malvern is open from 8am to 6pm, 49 weeks a year. We close for bank holidays, as well as one week at Easter, one week in August, and one week at Christmas.

  • Rate of pay: up to £13.10 per hour (dependent on qualifications).
  • 25 days’ holiday per annum plus public holidays, 6 of these days will be used as part of shut down, therefore you will have 19 days to book throughout the rest of the year.
  • Contributory pension scheme with Royal London (successful candidates will be auto-enrolled after successfully completing 3 months service).
  • Generous membership terms (family and personal) for the College Sports Facility.
  • Free on-site parking.
  • Cycle-to-Work scheme.
  • Free access to the Malvern College Library.
  • Personal Accident Insurance cover.
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Responsibilities and Person Specification

Key Responsibilities
  • As part of the Key Person approach, to assist with maintaining the pupils’ learning journals, including recording children’s interest and progress in short. You will be responsible for writing the Age Two Progress Check report for each of your key children.
  • Provide regular objective and accurate feedback and reports to the Nursery Manager on children’s achievements, progress, concerns or other matters, and to ensure observations have been checked before entering into the pupils’ learning journals.
  • To review and follow EHCPs, care and support plans as set out by the Nursery Manager and SENDCO.
  • Interact with children during playtimes and lunchtimes, ensuring they are safe, engaged, cooperating, happy and well supervised – ensuring children’s wellbeing.
  • Supervise and support children either within a classroom environment, small groups or individuals and ensure all children, including those with special needs, are safe and accessing the learning.
  • Encourage child interaction, engagement and motivation with teacher-led or child initiated activities.
  • Attend to children’s personal needs and ensure children’s welfare and care are met in the upmost sensitive manner; following safeguarding and health and safety policies, including toilet breaks and the changing of wet and soiled children.
  • To actively support a two-way flow of information between the nursery and parents carers of the children.
  • To support the smooth transitions between settings of the children in your group.
  • To undertake supervision duties in the setting in accordance with agreed rotas.
Other Professional Requirements
  • To attend and participate in staff INSET days as directed.
  • To participate in the school professional development and supervision programmes and professional and personal skills to achieve agreed targets.
  • To provide cover for absent staff for short periods when directed.
  • To adhere to the staff dress policy maintaining a high standard of professional appearance.
  • To promote the school at all times.
  • To maintain confidentiality at all times and observe the Data Protection guidelines.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
  • Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons with whom you come into contact.
  • Reporting any safeguarding concerns, including low level concerns, to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or their Deputy in a timely manner.

This post involves significant contact with children and the post holder will be responsible for children. The post holder will be considered to be in regulated activity.

Person Specification
Essential Desirable
Education and Qualifications
  • Minimum Level 3 diploma in childcare, early years, teaching support/assistant. Must hold a qualification that meets the Early Years Criteria to be counted in the level 3 ratios.
  • GCSE or equivalent English and Mathematics Grade C or above.
  • Current paediatric First Aid Certificate or willingness to undertake training.
  • Evidence of recent safeguarding training.
Experience, Knowledge and Understanding
  • Experience of working with children aged 0 – 4 years in a childcare setting.
  • Experience of recording observations and supporting others in planning for children’s learning in EYFS.
  • Experience of working in partnership with parents.
  • Knowledge of EYFS learning, development and welfare and safeguarding requirements.
  • Knowledge of the value of working in partnership with parents.
  • Experience of working with children with additional needs.
  • Experience of using Famly or alternative.
  • Knowledge of recent developments in early years’ education.
  • Knowledge of the importance of child attachment.
Role Related and Personal Skills
  • Enthusiastic and energetic.
  • A team player.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Resilient and resourceful.
  • Ability to make decisions quickly and solve problems as and when they arise.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with pupils, staff, and parents.
  • All applicants need to have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for the role.
  • A positive approach and warm approachable manner.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Flexible, including a willingness to assist Open Mornings.
  • Able to follow instructions.
  • Be competent in the use of ICT to support record keeping in the setting.
  • Ability to write reports and keep clear and accurate records.
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