Playgroup Manager

Responsible to: Charity Trustees /Committee

Purpose of the role: To be responsible for the provision of safe, high quality education and care for children aged 2 to 4 years.

Main Duties: • To be responsible for the day to day running of the Playgroup; • To ensure a safe caring and stimulating environment that promotes learning through play; • To ensure that staff are properly deployed and offer appropriate stimulation and support to the children; • To ensure activity planning allows all children to have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop; • To be responsible for long/ medium and short term planning, ensuring that each child is working towards individual goals and achievements; • To monitor the effectiveness of the Playgroup curriculum; to ensure current government guidelines and legislation, including duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, are adhered to; • To be responsible for implementing systems of observation and record keeping so that children's attainment and progress is effectively and regularly assessed and to monitor the effectiveness of assessment procedures • To be responsible for monitoring the quality of teaching and learning; • To ensure special needs and requirements of individual children are known by staff; • To work closely with parents and/or carers and to provide regular progress reports; • To ensure open two way communication with staff; • To delegate tasks as required; • To be responsible for staff appraisals and to identify in-service training needs; • To ensure that that equipment is safe, standards of hygiene are high, safety procedures are implemented at all times and fire drills are regularly practised; • To ensure records are properly maintained e.g. daily attendance register, accident and incident book; • To liaise with the Playgroup's Trustees, Ofsted, Children's Social Care and other professionals as necessary; • To ensure that all legal and statutory requirements are implemented; • To act as the Designated Lead (DSL) in safeguarding, providing reports and attending meetings as required; • To be responsible for the continued development and implementation of the Playgroup's policies and procedures; • To manage administrative and financial duties associated with the role; • To attend in-service training and meetings as required; • To co-ordinate and chair staff meetings; • To undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Charity Trustees in accordance with Sparrow's objectives.

This is a term time only position

Current opening hours are Monday, Friday mornings and All day Tuesday and Thursday

Desired qualifications and experience: Minimum level 3 relevant qualification in the Early Years Safeguarding DSL Training Level 3 First Aid Level 3 Experience working with children between the ages of 2 & 4 yrs of age Experience in a leadership role Working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage & Statutory Requirements

Sparrows Playgroup is Mersea Island's longest established Playgroup having first opened over 40 years ago.

We are a Committee run charity, funded through fees, donations and fundraising and provide care and education for children from age 2 to 4 years.

The group runs Monday and Friday 9:15 am - 11:45 am and Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am - 14:45 pm (Term time only)