Wrenthorpe Pre-School
PlayworkerWrenthorpe Application Pre-School Pack Play Worker Application Pack
Post title Playworker (Early Birds and Night Owls)
Location Wrenthorpe Pre-School Imperial Avenue
Wrenthorpe Wakefield WF2 0LW
Salary & Grade Playworker Grade 2 (FTE £17,842 - £18,198) (Actual Salary £4,795 - £4,891) Hours Playworker – 11 hours and 55 minutes per week Monday to Friday Term time only Temporary to cover a period of maternity leave, expected end date 10th June 2022 (subject to change)
Wrenthorpe Pre-School is an established pre-school situated in the village of Wrenthorpe on the outskirts of Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Wrenthorpe Pre-School became part of the successful Waterton Academy Trust in December 2018, one of the first primary only Multi Academy Trusts in the Wakefield area. The Trust's main aim is to ensure all children receive the education that they deserve, and at Wrenthorpe Pre-School we offer a safe and supportive environment so every child can reach their full potential.
Wrenthorpe Pre-School offers sessional care and caters for children aged 2-5. We also offer an Early Birds breakfast club and Night Owls after school club for children up to the age of 11.
We are looking for a Playworker to join our strong team in providing outstanding quality childcare to the children and families we serve. The post is to commence 19th April 2021 (subject to an enhanced DBS check and 2 satisfactory references).
The post holder will also have the opportunity to work in the Holiday Club.
We are looking to appoint someone who:
Is committed to support our common purpose of providing our children with the best possible care and education Is committed to inclusion and can respect and cater for individual children’s needs Understands how children learn and use their initiative to meet individuals’ needs Is a good communicator and able to work well in a team Will be a supportive and welcoming presence in the setting and develop positive working relationships with parents Can work under pressure and remain patient and calm Will listen and value children’s views
Will follow policy and procedures Has a willingness and ability to obtain and/or enhance qualifications and training for development within the post
In return, we can offer: A friendly, welcoming pre-school A supportive and forward thinking leadership team A great team of dedicated and committed staff A commitment to your professional development and an exciting opportunity to work within a multi- academy trust A cycle to work scheme A health and wellbeing package An excellent pension package
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.
The successful applicant will be required to complete an enhanced DBS application, this is an online process carried out by a third party company. The position is also subject to two satisfactory references.
Waterton Academy Trust is wholly committed to ensuring children and young people are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of all children and young people whilst promoting their welfare and expect all staff and volunteers to share this responsibility.
Waterton Academy want to ensure that all employees, future employees and applicants are treated equally regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in the post of Playworker at Wrenthorpe Pre-School. We hope that this pack provides you sufficient insight and information to decide if you have the right qualities, skills and experience to apply for the position.
Waterton Pre-Schools is a member of the Waterton Academy Trust family. Established in July 2017, Waterton Pre-schools is currently made up of one pre-school based in Wrenthorpe, Wakefield.
This is an exciting time for all concerned with the trust and the pre-schools as we enter into a new phase of development. The reshaping of our focus and renewed drive for excellence have resulted in the trust looking to grow the number of pre-schools and partner them with the thirteen academies that operate within Waterton Academy Trust.
People are at the heart of our organisation. We invest heavily in our children, staff, Trustees and Governors, ensuring that we all benefit from being part of the Waterton family. We seek to create a fertile environment for growth, to share best practice, develop expertise, draw on local, national and international research, and form partnerships within and beyond the trust.
Working for Waterton you will have the opportunity Given the trust’s ambitions for excellence, we are to shape the lives of not only those in your care within seeking to employ outstanding individuals to join our your own school, but contribute to the wellbeing of all team. We require highly skilled professionals that can those in the Waterton family. As a key leader in the contribute to the development of our provision and development of our provision, you will also have the support our academies in providing our children with opportunity to work alongside partners from across the best possible learning experience. If this is you, the trust and the wider system leaders’ network. then we would be delighted to hear from you.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Dickinson OBE
Chief Executive Officer
Dear Colleagues
Wrenthorpe Pre-school, Early Birds & Night Owls is an independently run registered charity. We are based in Wrenthorpe Academy, and cater primarily for all children in the Wrenthorpe and Carr Gate area.
Wrenthorpe Pre-school originally started life as Wrenthorpe Playgroup in 1968. Over 50 years later, we are
still serving the families in the Wrenthorpe and Carr Gate area.
We have been an integral part of the Wrenthorpe community for many years now and we pride ourselves in providing a
reliable and professional service that cares for the children of
the Wrenthorpe community and neighbouring areas.
We offer pre- school care to children aged 2-5, a breakfast and
after school club service to children aged 2-11, and a holiday club for children aged 2-11.
The Pre-school Committee works alongside management and the Pre-school Trust to provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment where children can learn through play at their own pace with plenty of adult support. We help them to grow in confidence by promoting independence and self-
confidence and value each other, whatever their sex, ability, race or cultural background.
We have an excellent team of dedicated, qualified staff, most of whom have been with us for several years. We work closely with professionals and outside agencies
such as Pre-5 service, Speech and Language therapists and local schools (Wrenthorpe Academy and Jerry Clay Academy)
I love how independence is encouraged The wellbeing of our staff is important to us, which is by the staff and children are supported via staff supervisions and annual performance appraisals, along with daily contact encouraged to follow their interests. between management and staff. Staff are encouraged
to speak to managers about all issues as soon as they arise.
Joanne Crossland Vickey Bruce Claire
Early Birds and Night Owls Preschool Manager Keyworker Manager
About Wrenthorpe Pre-School Our mission statement is ‘to provide high quality childcare in a friendly, safe, secure, caring and stimulating environment where all children and adults are treated as individuals and feel respected, valued and confident. To work with parents and carers so that each child is helped to learn, progress and develop a sense of self through play activities and positive adult interactions.’
Wrenthorpe Pre-school is an established pre-school which became part of the successful Waterton Academy Trust in December 2018, one of the first primary only Multi Academy Trusts in the Wakefield area. The Trust's main aim is to ensure all children receive the education that they deserve, and at Wrenthorpe Pre-school we offer a safe and supportive environment so every child can reach their full potential. We are registered with Ofsted with a “Good” judgement and are a provider of sessional and full day care.
Ofsted quotations:
“Children develop close attachments to staff. Staff are kind, supportive and patient”. “Children are motivated to learn – staff model movements with dough while dancing to music”. “Children behave well. They understand what is expected of them.” “Staff work in partnership with other professionals effectively”.
We have an excellent team of 24 dedicated staff who hold various childcare qualification many of which have been with us for several years. For young children it is important to have plenty of adults available. We have at least eight staff at every session and always comply with the following legal requirements; I love working at Wrenthorpe Pre-school, Early Birds & Night Owls because it’s enjoyable to work here and it’s a very 1 adult to every 4 children aged 2-3 years rewarding job
1 adult to every 8 children aged 3-5 years Lindsey
Each child is assigned a keyworker, who will be the first Deputy Manager point of contact and be responsible for the child’s development.
Why Choose Wrenthorpe Pre-School? To be part of a happy and friendly team of professionals, who are dedicated to ensuring children thrive within their care. Our parents and carers are very involved and contribute to their children’s daily routines at our setting. Our children are encouraged to learn through play, providing them with a happy and secure foundation. Our Holiday Club aims to be fun with a relaxed atmosphere, where children can join in a variety of activities with their friends.
About the Trust
Our vision is to create a collaborative of schools that work together to deliver excellence; a collective where teaching and learning is paramount and children enjoy and engage in a rich and relevant curriculum. We strive to foster a culture of high aspiration amongst all our students and to create an environment where everyone reaches their full potential, regardless of their social, economic or cultural background and where success truly is a shared experience.
The creation of the Centre for Excellence (CfE) is the single most important development the trust has delivered in recent years. The centre has become the beating heart of our school improvement strategy, CPD offer, partnership working and the main conduit for our blended learning provision. Our School Improvement Team are based in the CfE and leaders from across the trust work alongside them to develop practice and provision. The trust believes that excellence can only be delivered through investing in people and providing them with the resources they need to deliver. The CfE is one example of how we do that.
The trust has maintained a manageable geographical partnership area, one where academy staff and central team colleagues are able to travel between each other within a reasonable time frame. There are currently thirteen academies in the trust, all are within the Wakefield and Barnsley boundaries and therefore find it easy to attend INSET, CPD and trust events. The trust has adopted a Hub Model to further support collaborative working and allow for future growth. v I joined Waterton as an apprentice and have enjoyed three years of professional development. I feel that I have grown into a valued member of the Central Team. I am loving working within the excellent resource that is the CfE. Jack Digital Media Officer
Everything we do is about creating a team of committed professionals who share our ambition for young people. We are committed to providing employees with a safe, healthy and supportive environment in which to work. We seek to reduce disadvantages, discrimination and inequalities of opportunity. We promote diversity. We recognise the need to support staff to enable a healthy work life balance. We are able to draw upon expertise from across the trust. Colleagues collaborate and share best practice through a number of trust wide networks. Our partners are of the highest quality and colleagues have the opportunity to work alongside sector leaders such as the EEF and Research School Network. Flexible working arrangements are promoted across the trust where possible, to enable our staff to manage their work life and family commitments.
About the Trust (Continued)
Partners and Projects
I started my career as an ITT Investing in people and in partnerships is key to ensuring student through the Waterton excellence and is something that as a trust we are extremely and Leeds Trinity partnership. I passionate about. enjoyed the ITT course and found the training on offer, especially Quality professional development is delivered by colleagues from within Waterton, to be extremely across the trust to all members of our team. beneficial. The course was challenging, supportive and a We are proud to call ourselves an outward facing organisation and great deal of fun. The fact that are advocates of sharing best practice and being contributors to there is a job at the end for the wider system leaders’ network. We therefore encourage successful students is the cherry colleagues to take up opportunities and engage in projects outside on the cake! of the trust. Below are examples of some of the partners, projects and Robyn opportunities that Waterton Academy Trust colleagues Year 2 Teacher (RQT) experience.
A collaborative partnership between Wakefield Local Authority, Wakefield System Leaders and Doncaster Research School. Supported by funding from the Education Endowment Foundation and Wakefield Council. The primary project is led by Waterton’s CESO and Waterton LLEs are involved throughout. The programme will focus on considering how research evidence, developed by the Education A partnership through Endowmentwhich EBE and Foundation, Waterton canAcademy inform Trust leadership (and the decisions, improve teaching and ultimately broader Waterton network) collaborate to offer professional learning to teachers and leaders. improve outcomes for pupils, particularly those facing disadvantaged. three strands to the professional learning partnership:
The desire to invest in all colleagues has seen the trust become an apprenticeship provider. The first apprenticeship to be designed was the Level 3, Supporting Learning in Primary Schools. The trust is currently designing further courses to support early career progression.
Investing in future leaders has seen the trust create a strong relationship with Learners First. Colleagues have full access to NPQ courses, with NPQH and NPQEL cohorts working together in the CfE.
Job Description Title Playworker
Accountable to Early Birds and Nights Owls Manager / Deputy Manager
Purpose of the Post
Under the direction of a Manager, to work with colleagues to provide a stimulating and varied programme of play, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children in line with the policies of the provision.
Responsibilities Assist in preparing the play space for the purpose of the activities and tidying away afterwards Listen to, encourage, stimulate children and ensure their safety and wellbeing Care for and interact with children providing guidance on resources as required Assist to provide a healthy breakfast or afternoon snack for children ensuring requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulations are met at all times Care for children’s personal needs, e.g. washing and changing children as required Report to the Manager any matters needing attention or further assistance in accordance with policy, e.g. concerns about a child or equipment needing repair Walk children to and from school in a safe and appropriate manner Assist in monitoring the entrance and exit of children from the provision To participate in organised visits or events, assisting as directed To share information passed on by parents / school staff with colleagues as needed to provide high standards of care To undertake basic administrative tasks, e.g. accident log, timesheet Other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by the Manager
Expectations Full working knowledge and compliance with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, HR and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equal opportunities for all Working knowledge of the education sector Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the Trust and member academies. Appreciate and support the role of other professionals Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required
Additional Information The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this Job Specification are indicative and may vary over time. Post holders are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and scope of the post and the grade has been established on this basis.
Responsibilities for Resources Employees (Supervision): None. Financial: None. Physical: Effective use of resources and materials.
Customers and Clients The post holder works closely with children and work involves direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of children through undertaking tasks or duties related to the post. Occasional interaction with parents and school staff.
Working Conditions The nature of the post may involve periodic requirements for considerable effort, e.g. lifting or carrying of children. Outdoor working conditions in dry weather & indoor working conditions in wet weather with the exception of school drop off and pick up in in all weather conditions.
Characteristics of the post Employees are encouraged to participate in training activities in order to enhance their own personal development. The ability to occasionally attend meetings out of hours as required by the Manager.
The employment checks are required: Evidence of entitlement to work in the U.K. Evidence of essential qualifications – see page 1 of this job specification Two satisfactory references Confirmation of medical fitness for employment Registration with appropriate bodies (where applicable)
The following employment checks are required for those positions which are based in a school or working with vulnerable young people and adults:
Evidence of a satisfactory safeguarding check e.g. DBS check at the relevant level.
Personal Specification
Title Playworker for Early Birds and Night Owns
Accountable to Early Birds and Night Owls Manager / Deputy Manager
AF: Application Form I: Interview CQ: Certificates/Qualifications R: Reference OT: Occupational Task P: Presentation
Education & Training Information Essential Desirable How Identified NVQ Level 2 in childcare or equivalent qualification X AF/I Formal qualifications & Paediatric First Aid qualification X AF/I relevant training Basic Food Hygiene Certificate X AF/I
Experience
Ability to undertake Working with or caring for children aged 2-11 X AF/I duties of the post
Knowledge
Knowledge of particular health and safety issues X AF/I relevant to age range
Awareness of needs of children X AF/I
Understanding of working in partnership with X AF/I parents Including skills Good communication and interpersonal skills X AF/I
Ability to work as part of a team X AF/I
Ability to prioritise with good judgement X AF/I
The importance of safeguarding and confidentiality X AF/I
Physical Skills
Ability to participate in physical play and active- Includes any specific X I physical requirements of based learning the post (subject to the Effective use of learning materials and resources provisions of the Equality Act) X I
Suitability to work with children and young people
Issues relating to Satisfactory DBS disclosure and standard Trust pre- I/R safeguarding and employment checks promoting the welfare of X (DBS children and young disclosure) people
Additional Requirements
A positive role model with a caring and X I understanding approach to children
Friendly, patient and enthusiastic in nature X I
Willing to work flexibly in accordance with policies and procedures to meet the operational needs of X I the provision
Committed to professional development in X I connection with the post
Work in accordance with the Trust’s core values X I and behaviours
A commitment to equality/diversity in the X I workplace and the wide community
A commitment to safeguarding and promoting X I welfare for all
Next Steps
Further Details For further information about the post, please contact Pre-School on 01924 370770 or email Michelle Everett, Administrator – [email protected]
To Apply Completed application forms should be returned by email to [email protected] by the closing date.
Selection Timeline Closing date: Monday 5th April - 4 pm Shortlisting: Tuesday 6th April Interviews: Monday 12th April (References will be requested prior to interview)
Applicants are requested to submit a completed application form which can be downloaded from the recruitment page on the trust’s website. www.watertonacademytrust.org
Waterton Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children and Young People and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced disclosure from DBS will be required for this post.
I feel so lucky to be part of it all!
Vikki Chief Operations Officer
Waterton Academy Trust The Grove, Walton, Wakefield, WF2 6LD