Job description:

Aspire Training Team are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and hardworking individual to complete their Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship at Wildflowers Kindergarten.

At Wildflowers Kindergarten, children to learn about the world and relationships in playful and collaborative ways in the beautiful Hampshire countryside and a converted barn.

Wildflowers was founded in 2005 by Helena Nilsson after searching for a preschool for her daughter. Influenced by her Swedish childhood playing in nature, interest in educational philosophy, experience with working in a Steiner kindergarten and academic background in social anthropology, she started the first forest preschool in the UK.

Wildflowers has been judged ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted.

We start each day with a seasonal rhyme and conversation before walking to woods or parkland where the children can move freely, explore, be imaginative and observe changes in the landscape. Mid-morning we gather to eat fruit salad and home-baked bread whilst creating a story together.

On returning to our converted barn, the children spend some time drawing and then have a cosy rest on sheepskins. Afterwards we share a warm and wholesome meal. Then the children engage in activities designed to cultivate ideas and practise skills. At the end our day, they talk about their play and discoveries, reflecting on our experiences as a group. 

Your duties and responsibilities will include;

• Adhere to Wildflowers’ policies and procedures and follow written plans and guidance’s.
• Perform practical tasks efficiently.
• Communicate with Helena, colleagues, parents and outside professionals as required.
• Contribute to sharing children’s experiences and learning opportunities with parents.
• Develop professionally and actively engage in the improvement of Wildflowers’ provision.
• Contribute to keeping documents updated.
• Perform additional practical tasks, such as cleaning indoor spaces and clearing children’s outdoor play areas, as is reasonably required.
• Guide new staff members and assistants in their role.
• Safeguarding Respond to safeguarding concerns as required.
• Adhere to Wildflowers’ requirements for staff conduct.
• Continuously assess and respond to risks.
• Inform Helena about any new risks.
• Provide first aid and administer medicines as required.
• Adhere to Wildflowers’ requirements for hygiene and food safety.
• Keep records related to children’s health and safeguarding as required.
• Education Create and maintain a calm, caring and joyous atmosphere.
• Listen to and observe children attentively.
• Support children’s social development and ability to manage their reactions in the group in line with Wildflowers’ ethos.
• Encourage and model initiative, resourcefulness and perseverance.
• Provide experiences which stimulate children’s curiosity, creativity and imagination.
• Provide experiences which make the children feel both competent and challenged.
• Engage individual children in learning opportunities following their learning plan.
• Contribute to the assessment and record keeping of children’s development and learning

Hours;

• Wildflowers Kindergarten is open from 08:30am – 15:30pm Monday to Friday and is a Term Time Only Setting
• The successful candidate will be required to work various shift patterns over a minimum of 30 hours per week

Requirements;

• Level 2 Childcare Qualification is essential for this role  
• You must be able to gain a clear DBS
• Have GCSE grades A*-C or 4-9 in Maths and English Language, or equivalent

Benefits;

• 2 home cooked meals per day
• Provide the outdoor clothing

 This is a unique opportunity to learn new skills, who have their own curriculum to further development, working with children aged 3 to 6.