Playworker

We are looking for Playworkers to work in the School Holidays at our Burton Latimer Holiday Club working when required in the holiday club. working between 08.00 and 17.30 Monday to Friday. 

Latimer Park Holiday Club provides a range of activities for children aged between 4 – 11 years old. The holiday club is situated in the Education centre, located at Kettering Football Club, amongst plentiful green space which can provide the experience of a forest school. The children are encouraged to be creative, inquisitive, free spirited and independent whilst having fun and creating those lifelong friendships. It is a great way for children of all ages to come together and have some fun in a safe and secure setting.

Role:

• To support a holistic approach to the planning ensuring play principles are covered
• To ensure basic care needs of individual children are met
• To ensure a high level of well-being among children
• To have a good understanding of Acorn’s ethos, values, policies and procedures and that they are reflected in daily practice
• A good working knowledge and practice of the EYFS and safeguarding procedures
• To assist in the smooth day to day running of your club, taking the lead if necessary
• To carry out  tasks requested

Responsibility

• To ensure the  interactions with children are high quality and based on individual need/stage of the children
• To demonstrate a positive approach to children’s behaviour working in-line with our policy and procedure
• To ensure there are professional, positive relationships demonstrated with parents
• To ensure the environment offers rich, learning environment opportunities for all children which accommodates a holistic approach to the day to day running of the club
• To support in making sure  resources and equipment are readily available, accessible and replenished both inside and outside taking into account the children’s interests
•  To ensure children’s interests are being met and appropriately supported to extend children`s thinking and develop their skills.
• To support all staff, working as part of a team, adapting your role as necessary, and taking on specific responsibilities as required, including supporting inexperienced staff.
• To be responsive and aware of the individual needs of children whilst maintaining control and supervision of the whole club.
• To ensure all children are given the opportunity to be independent
• To ensure all children have the opportunity to be physically challenged
• To  understand and implement planning including the play principles
• To complete paperwork in relation to the child, for example care plans, medicine forms etc
• To be an effective key person/ buddy  and to carry out observations regularly and are of high quality, as necessary
• To cascade any information or updates to the Senior Playworker/ OOOS club Manager and your staff team
• To keep abreast and adhere with changes in accordance to Acorn’s policies and procedures
• To ensure professional relationships are established with the school, liaising  with EYFS teachers where appropriate
• To safeguard all children in our care

Expectations

• To have a good understanding of Acorn’s core values, ethos and policies and ensure these are reflected in practice
• A high-quality provision to support children’s interests
• To value parents as partners
• For all children to be happy, confident, self-assured and independent
• Effective communication with management, staff, children and parents
• To role model outstanding practice and positive behaviour management
• To be confident to talk to external agencies, including Ofsted
• To oversee the smooth running of the club in the absence of the Senior Playworker/OOS Club Manager

Benefits

Working at Acorn

As a thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making Acorn a safe, nurturing and fun place for our children to be, we offer:

Payscales that are competitive, transparent and reviewed annually

Childcare discount – nothing should be a barrier to your career

Generous family leave – supporting you to support your family

Christmas closure – Santa doesn’t wait for anyone

25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays (and the option to buy more) – even superheroes need time off

4 dedicated training days and individual development plans – investing in you for the whole journey

Enhanced pension scheme – not as far away as you think ?

Cyclescheme – helping you get back on the saddle

Techscheme – making a brand new laptop a little more affordable

Length of Service awards – time with us means treats for you

Summer and Christmas parties – all work and no play is a myth

Pay advances for when times are tough

Employee assistance wellbeing programme – because you matter to us