Centre Assistant

Job description

Contract Terms

Grade: SC1B
Salary: £27,345 – £27,729 per annum
Contract Type: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract
Closing Date: Sunday 5th January 2025
Interview Date: Week commencing 13th January 2025

About Haringey

Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work – the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We’ll be celebrating all this and more as the “rebel borough” when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture.
Our history champions change-makers and everyday rebels; revelling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey’s people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community-focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.

About the Role

The role involves providing comprehensive support in the care and activities of children, ensuring a safe, clean, and nurturing environment. Key responsibilities include assisting in the general care and comforting of children, as well as setting up and tidying away materials and equipment for various activities. This hands-on role extends to accompanying teachers and nursery officers on visits and outings, ensuring the children’s safety and well-being. Practical duties such as changing soiled clothes, assisting with toileting, and helping children during mealtimes are crucial aspects of providing a supportive environment for their development and comfort.

In addition to direct child care, the role requires maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene within the facility. This includes vacuuming carpets, cleaning floors, work surfaces, toys, and other areas as necessary, following the council’s safe working practices. Specific tasks involve cleaning toilets, sinks, and ensuring all domestic equipment is kept in good working condition. The role also involves managing cleaning supplies, ensuring they are adequately stocked, and reporting any defects or faults to the Head of Centre. By performing these duties, the role supports the overall health and safety of the children and staff, creating a conducive environment for learning and play.

About You

The ideal candidate for this role must possess the ability to assist with the general care, activities, and comfort of young children, ensuring they feel safe, nurtured, and engaged. This includes setting up and tidying away materials for activities, comforting children, and assisting during mealtimes by preparing basic food. Effective communication skills are essential for interacting with parents, colleagues, and children, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. The role also demands cleaning experience to maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the facility, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for the children.

Additionally, the ability to work well as part of a team is crucial, as the role involves collaborating with other childcare staff to supervise activities and ensure the smooth operation of the facility. An awareness of Health and Safety regulations at work is necessary to prevent accidents and promote a secure environment. Furthermore, the candidate must demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Equal Opportunities, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or abilities, receive equal care and support. This commitment is integral to fostering an inclusive atmosphere where every child can thrive.

Working for Haringey

At Haringey Council we are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included, and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce so welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities so that we continue to make a difference to our residents and community. Our benefits package includes a leave entitlement of up to 31 days + bank holidays, potential hybrid working opportunities, health and wellbeing support, a generous local government pension scheme and a range of discount schemes across leisure and culture that provide both financial and money-saving discounts.