Level 3 Educator (Baby / Under-Twos Room)

Purpose of the Role

• Child Protection & Welfare: Ensure all children are safeguarded at all times and their health, safety, and well-being are actively promoted.
• High-Quality Care: Deliver exemplary physical, emotional, social, and intellectual care tailored to babies and children under two years old.
• Specialised Knowledge: Apply relevant qualifications, training, and experience working with infants to meet their specific developmental and care needs.
• Leadership & Teamwork: Provide guidance and support to room colleagues and the wider nursery team, cultivating an enabling environment where every child can safely play, learn, and thrive.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

1. Safeguarding, Health & Safety

• Rigorously implement and adhere to nursery safeguarding procedures; ensure all team members understand and follow safety policies.
• Maintain rigorous standards of safety, hygiene, and cleanliness appropriate for babies and toddlers.
• Conduct daily health, safety, and risk assessments for indoor room spaces and outdoor play areas.
• Manage secure collection procedures, ensuring children are released only to verified individuals authorized by parents/carers.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all child, family, and staff information.

2. Learning, Care & Child Development

• Formulate and implement an engaging, age-appropriate curriculum/activity plan based on individual children’s needs and interests.
• Serve as a key person, keeping precise, up-to-date developmental records and Learning Journeys.
• Oversee routine care tasks, including meal times (ensuring a pleasant, social atmosphere), diaper changing, washing, and personal hygiene.
• Manage sick child protocols prompt and caring treatment, ensuring immediate notification to parents for timely collection.
• Provide an inclusive early years environment supporting children regardless of background, medical history, or additional needs.
• Support early identification and intervention for children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), offering appropriate guidance to the team.

3. Team Guidance & Supervision

• Support and mentor room staff to build specialized skills in caring for under-twos and fulfilling their roles as key workers.
• Lead induction processes for new team members in partnership with the Manager.
• Conduct regular supervision meetings, feedback sessions, and feed into staff appraisals and target-setting processes.
• Support students, placement candidates, and volunteers through mentorship and practical guidance.
• Promote positive team collaboration and encourage continuous professional development (CPD).

4. Record Keeping & Administration

• Ensure all room documentation is accurate, complete, and kept up-to-date (e.g., Learning Journeys, sleep charts, accident/incident forms, daily record sheets).
• Attend nursery management meetings, share key information with the room team, and feed into general nursery operations.

5. Partnership with Parents & External Agencies

• Build strong, communicative partnerships with parents and carers regarding daily routines, learning progress, and developmental reviews.
• Liaise professionally with local authority representatives and external agencies associated with the nursery.
• Represent the nursery positively within the local community, upholding its values and standards at all times.

6. Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with essential operational and domestic tasks (e.g., meal and snack preparation, cleaning and sanitizing equipment).
• Participate in out-of-hours nursery activities as required (e.g., staff meetings, training sessions, parents’ evenings, fundraising events).
• Work collaboratively with the Nursery Manager to fulfill the nursery's strategic vision, policies, and procedures.

Person Specification & Qualifications

Essential Criteria:

• Qualification: Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years / Childcare qualification (or recognized equivalent).
• Experience: Proven experience working with babies and children under two years old in a registered early year setting.
• Safeguarding: Strong, up-to-date knowledge of child protection and safeguarding procedures.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with parents, staff, and external professionals.
• Teamwork & Leadership: Ability to guide, mentor, and support room colleagues in day-to-day operations.

Desirable Criteria:

• Valid Paediatric First Aid Certificate.
• Up-to-date SEND training / experience.