Nursery Supervisor Maternity Cover (fixed term) Recruitment Pack January 2018
January 2018 Dear Prospective Candidate Re: Nursery Supervisor Thank you for your interest in the position Nursery Supervisor at Kent Union. We are a successful, vibrant and exciting organisation with a bright future ahead of us. We have achieved a great deal in the last few years, more than doubling in size to our current £10million turnover, 500 employees and 2,000+ volunteers. Kent Union is a great place to work. We were re-accredited with Investor in People Gold status in December 2014, and were accredited with Leaders in Diversity in 2013; we were the first student’s union in the UK to achieve Investing in Volunteers status and we have been included in the Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work for, for 8 years, placed 24th for 2017 We are looking to recruit a qualified Nursery Supervisor who has experience of working with children across all age ranges up to the age of five years. Duties will be carried out to the highest standard, and a full awareness and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (2017) Curriculum is essential. Oaks Nursery is situated in Parkwood Road on the University of Kent campus, with close links to public transport. We are an established nursery, registered to care for up to 90 children a day with an excellent reputation in childcare. We accommodate children of University and Kent Union staff, students, and families from the local community. At our last inspection in July 2017 nursery received a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted. You will be joining a team of 30 staff comprising of Nursery Practitioners, kitchen staff and support workers led by a Manager, Deputy Manager and Room Supervisors. The post-holder will be working within Oaks Nursery Department caring for children aged 0-2 years. However, individuals should expect to work across the whole age range of 0- 5 years. This pack should provide everything you need to support your application. It contains: Job description Person specification Copy of full advert Summary conditions of appointment Summary governance and management arrangements Application and selection process and timetable. To discuss this opportunity further please contact Chris Comper on 01227-827676 or visit http://www.kentunion.co.uk/careers/ Yours faithfully,
Chris Comper Head of Oaks Nursery
Job Description - Nursery Supervisor Department: Reports to: Direct reports: Role Purpose:
Nursery Nursery Manager Nursery Practitioners, Nursery Support Workers To supervise the work of direct reports ensuring the highest standards of childcare are achieved whilst encouraging an environment of creativity and diversity which provides for the wellbeing of all children.
Duties and Responsibilities Operational Duties: 1. To lead team in providing enabling environments that are rich in supporting a wide variety of opportunities and activities that are stimulating and relevant to all the children’s cultures, with due regard for the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities code of Practice (SEND)2015 . 2. To ensure children have secure foundations for learning by providing curriculum plans that are reflective of the ages/stages of development, and that children are supported in making good progress 3. To ensure a consistent approach in sustaining positive relationships with parents, carers and external partners 4. To support Manager in ensuring compliance with Ofsted and Environmental Health legislation 5. Ensure that the Union’s Health, Safety and Well-being Policy, Health and Safety policy and Nursery’s Safeguarding policy is understood and adhered to at all times 6. Carry out other duties and activities as required to support colleagues, or as required by your Manager Financial Responsibilities: 1. To be responsible for the security of all resources, and the stock control of consumable items within your area, ensuring efficiency and best value for money at all times Responsibility for People 1. To effectively communicate individual, team and organisational goals to the team, encouraging open feedback and debate 2. To give regular and constructive feedback, and ask for feedback from the team on how you are leading, and act on it to improve performance. 3. To undertake performance reviews and supervisions of direct reports, in line with Kent Union and Nursery policy 4. To co-ordinate the work of the team, ensuring that staff levels meet legislative requirements
5. To moderate the work of your team; observations, planning and assessmentsmaintaining consistency and quality at all times 6. To support in the recruitment processes involved in employing new staff Expected Behaviours 1. To attend training sessions, and appropriate meetings as and when required by Kent Union 2. To contribute to the positive image of Kent Union with students, University and the local community 3. To lead by example and demonstrate a full understanding of the organisations democratic structures 4. To ensure systems are in place to reduce Kent Unions’ impact on the environment 5. To act as an ambassador for Kent Union and show loyalty to the organisation, abiding by the Union’s Constitution, policies and procedures at all times 6. To undertake other tasks and responsibilities compatible with the level and nature of the post as required by your manager from time to time Summary of terms
This is a fixed term post 35 hours a week Place of work Oaks Nursery
This job description does not form part of the contract of employment.
Person Specification Essential requirements should be demonstrated before appointment and maintained in post. Desirable elements should be developed and maintained once in post as needed Qualifications Essential Desirable Tested at Tested at Interview application Level 3 or higher (equivalent) in Early Years Childcare and Education X X X Food Safety Certificate level 2 or above
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Paediatric First Aid qualification
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Health and Safety qualification
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Experience Experience of managing individuals or teams of people Experience of working in a busy Nursery or Early Years environment with children aged 0-5 Experience in carrying out performance development reviews, including staff supervisions Experience in building effective relationships with parents and other stakeholders Knowledge A thorough understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework 2017 and how this is interpreted in best practice.
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An understanding of health and safety /food safety requirements Skills and Abilities Good judgement and ability to handle competing priorities and a challenging workload in a pressurised environment Proficient in IT, specifically Microsoft Office Ability to balance the needs of the children with the operational requirements of the nursery Excellent communication skills, with the ability to relate to and communicate effectively with people at all levels Values & Behaviors Evidence of a personal commitment to continuing professional development A commitment to equality of opportunity; someone who builds a culture of inclusivity and removes barriers to diversity A team player, who helps others build a successful team, celebrates others’ success and supports others to achieve individual and team goals A strong commitment to working in a democratic and membership organisation, with the ability to empower and build constructive relationships with elected officers
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Nursery Supervisor 10 months Fixed term Maternity cover Annual Salary £17,463.00 pro rata (£14,552.50 for 10 months) 35 hours per week Generous Pension and benefits 37 days annual leave (rising to 42 after 5 years) Thank you for your interest in the position of Nursery Supervisor at Kent Union. We are a successful, vibrant and exciting organisation with a bright future ahead of us. We have achieved a great deal in the last few years, more than doubling in size to our current £10million turnover, 500 employees and 2,000+ volunteers. The post-holder will be part of the Oaks Nursery Department providing a high standard of childcare and education for children across the age range of 0-5 years. You will have the experience of working in a busy nursery, or early year’s environment. Underpinning knowledge of the developmental needs of children under 2, are pivotal to this role. You have a good understanding of best practice, with the skills to develop relationships with parents and other colleagues. You are enthusiastic and motivated with the ability to work flexibly as part of a successful team. You will be an experienced Nursery Practitioner qualified to at least Level 3. You have knowledge of the key person system, and how this operates in a busy Early Years setting. Your strengths will include the ability to work flexibly as part of a team, to carry out observations, assessments and planning for key children. You will have line management responsibility for a small team, and you will be a selfmotivated, flexible individual, who can work well within a team or on your own. Kent Union is a great place to work. We were re-accredited with Investor in People Gold status in December 2014, and were accredited with Leaders in Diversity in 2013; we were the first student’s union in the UK to achieve Investing in Volunteers status and we have been included in the Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For, for 8 years, placed 24th for 2017. For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact Chris Comper on 01227 827676. For an application pack, please visit http://www.kentunion.co.uk/careers Closing date for applications: Interviews:
Sunday 28 January 2018 Thursday 8 February 2018
Summary Conditions of Appointment Salary This post is at Grade 3.1 of Kent Union’s pay scale, £17,463.00 per annum pro rata.
Notice Period The notice period for this position is one-month.
Annual Leave Entitlement The post-holder is entitled to 23 days’ leave; 6 ‘customary’ days’ leave, normally taken over Christmas; and the 8 statutory leave days for England. Total entitlement is therefore 37 days.
Pension The post-holder is entitled to join the Superannuation Arrangements of the University of London (SAUL), CARE pension scheme with salary sacrifice, in which Kent Union contributes 16% and employees contribute 6% of salary. Alternatively, the post-holder can join a personal pension scheme through Scottish Equitable, in which Kent Union contributes 6% and employees contribute 3% of salary.
Hours of Work The contracted hours are 35 hours per week over 4 days
Work-Life Balance Kent Union is committed to facilitating a healthy work-life balance and has cutting edge flexible working policies, including extensive maternity, paternity and grand-parent leave; generous adoption and parental leave entitlement; facilities for sabbatical leave; the option to work from home on occasion and time off for volunteering.
Equality of Opportunity Kent Union is committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and will endeavour to meet the needs of any candidate who fulfils the requirements of the person specification.
Summary Governance and Management Arrangements Our Belief We believe every student at the University of Kent should have the opportunity to try out new experiences, have fun, make new friends and be part of a community; we believe every student should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in life, have a voice in society and make a difference. We believe that Kent Union is integral to empowering students to realise this belief. Our Mission We are a charity that supports students at the University of Kent; we:
Stand up for students Help them have the best time at Kent Prepare them for life after Kent
Our Values
Bold – we are brave and courageous; we stand up for students’ rights; we are innovative and we challenge the status quo Inclusive - we welcome all people and appreciate their uniqueness; we are champions of equality and diversity Supportive – we look out for people; we want students to succeed in life so we offer transformative experiences for them to get involved in; we ensure our staff have a healthy work-life balance
Legal Status Kent Union is an unincorporated association and a registered charity. The Union has a Board of Trustees, which is legally responsible for all aspects of the organisation.
Democratic Structures Kent Union is a membership organisation; all students at the University of Kent are automatically members of Kent Union. The membership provides strategic and political direction through the Union’s democratic structures, including petition and feedback mechanisms, all student votes, referenda, the Annual General Meeting, a Campaigns Forum, Executive Committee and seven elected Trustees.
The Trustees The Trustees of Kent Union are the five ‘sabbatical officers’, four ‘external’ trustees and four ‘student’ trustees. The sabbatical officers and two of the student trustees are elected each year by and from the student membership of Kent Union. The sabbatical officers take a year out of their studies (or immediately after graduating) to serve as a trustee; they can stand for re-election for a second year if they choose, but can serve for no more than two years. Unlike the trustees of most registered charities, the sabbatical officers are paid a living allowance and work a normal working week. The four student trustees have all the responsibilities of being a trustee, but are still studying and fulfil their duties on a ‘part-time’ and voluntary basis. Two of the four student trustees are elected by cross-campus ballot and take office on 1st July each year; the other two student trustees are selected via a recruitment process in the October of each year.
Staff and Management Structure Kent Union employs approximately 500 staff to provide services for its members. Staff are of two types – approximately 360 student staff, who work whilst completing their studies at the University of Kent; and approximately 140 career staff – professionals who have made working at Kent Union part of their career. The Board of Trustees oversees the work of staff through the Chief Executive and Director Group, who in turn manage staff through the 15 senior managers, each of whom is responsible for one of the Union’s Departments or a strategic function.
Application and Selection Process and Timetable Recruitment and Selection Timetable Friday 5 January 2018
Advertise position
Sunday 28 January 2018 (Midday)
Applications close
Monday 29 January 2018
Short-list meeting
Thursday 8 February 2018
Interviews in Canterbury
Applications To apply please download and complete an application form from our recruitment website http://www.kentunion.co.uk/careers and email it, along with the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form to
[email protected]; please ensure that you pay particular attention in your application to detailing how you meet the requirements of the person specification. The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be separated from applications prior to short-listing. Completed applications must be received by Sunday 28 January 2018. Website
Kent Union’s website contains further background information about Kent Union to help potential applicants. Potential applicants are encouraged to look at the website prior to applying; the website address is www.kentunion.co.uk Further Information and Questions For further information or to arrange a conversation about the role, Chris Comper 01227 827676
