Make a difference to our children

Here at Lanterns Nursery School we recognise that our staff are our biggest asset; without their skills, experience and dedication to the early years sector we would not be able to fulfil our ambition for each and every child to achieve their full potential.  We are always looking for passionate, playful, and inspiring early years staff to join our team.

Why you should choose Lanterns

Lanterns is a very special place.  As an inclusive nursery, with resourced provision for children with special educational needs, we offer a unique opportunity for our staff to develop their skills and experience in the early years.  A trauma informed approach underpins our curriculum, which offers forward thinking and research led teaching and learning in the early years.  Staff attend regular training through our annual INSET days and have the chance to develop their skills in Makaton as well as a range of techniques (e.g. Attention Autism) that are designed to enable all children to engage fully with the curriculum.

As one of three Hampshire maintained nursery schools, we offer all our staff local authority pay conditions and access to the pension scheme.

Early Years Practitioner – Full-time, fixed term 31/08/23, term time.

Are you passionate about early intervention and making a difference to the lives of young children?

Are you creative and adaptable with the ability to use a range of approaches and strategies?

Are you playful, imaginative and engaging?

We have the job for you!

This role may be based in main nursery or within a class of children with social communication difficulties dependent on experience.

Key information

• Closing Date: 23^rd November 2023
• Interview Date(s):  29^th November 2023
• Job Start Date: 2^nd January 2024
• Contract/Hours: Fixed term 31^st August
• Salary Type: Support Staff
• Salary Details: Support Staff Grade C - £21,190 - £22,215 FTE, pro rata
• Hours of Work: Full time 8am to 4pm or 8.15 to 4.15pm Monday to Friday, term time
• Location of Role: Lanterns Nursery School, Winchester
• Contact e-mail address: adminoffice@lanterns.hants.sch.uk

Why Lanterns Nursery School?

Lanterns Nursery School is a special place and making a difference to children and families is in our DNA. Don’t just take our word for it – check out our website to see the glowing feedback we receive from families and read our latest (April 2023) ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report.  Our staff are our number one asset and if you join our wonderful team, you will see how our approach rewards the whole team by developing children who thrive and have an enthusiasm for life that is infectious!

We are different and diverse

Everyone is welcome at Lanterns Nursery School and from the age of 2 our children naturally accept this diversity and the differences they are surrounded with. Our families embrace this important feature of our nursery school. We believe that by working together we can help each other with the challenges we face, overcome barriers, and succeed.

There’s no getting around it – some days will be harder than others!

Every day is different and the challenge and evolving environment offers an exciting pace of work that isn't for everybody. Each day you will need to think on your feet and find solutions. You will ask questions, share your ideas and will work as part of a team to best support children. In turn we will support your development and help you build the knowledge, skills and experiences that will enable you to flourish. You’ll be part of a team who are passionate about getting things right for everybody. People who recognise how important it is to look after each other, knowing that this enables us to work for the benefit our children and families. Your colleagues will be some of the most amazing people you will ever work with. They are passionate, determined and know what to do to make a real difference.

What you’ll do

• You will work as an EYP in one of our early years classes
• You will be responsible for a group of key children. You will know them well and be able to adapt the curriculum to reflect their interests and ensure that the curriculum is developmentally appropriate
• You will use a range of approaches, strategies and interventions to ensure that all children can access a developmentally appropriate curriculum
• You will work with others to find solutions to challenges and to ensure that children thrive in our school
• You will support senior staff with planning and implementing an exciting child-led curriculum and learning experiences both inside and out
• Build strong relationships with children and families and attend to personal care needs where appropriate
• Be reflective in order to grow, adapt and have the most impact on children
• Develop your expertise and experience of working with children with SEND, enjoying the opportunity to expand your current skills with bespoke induction and ongoing training.

What you’ll need

• A passion for early years and all things SEND and a love of working with young children. You will have experience of working in a school, special school or early years setting and educating children with SEND will be important to you
• To be motivated and playful, using your own initiative in order to engage and inspire children
• Good communication skills, an open mind and an ability to work effectively with a variety of people holding a range of perspectives
• To be adaptable, able to work within a large nursery team and a desire to join a forward-thinking school, showing willingness to actively participate in improvement
• An active interest in professional development and a developing knowledge of how young children learn.

What more can we offer you?

• A Headteacher led OFSTED Outstanding (April 23) Maintained Nursery School – one of 3 in Hampshire
• Local authority pay conditions and local government pension
• Term time working
• Core hour working day – Full time hours of 8.00am to 4.00pm or 8.15am to 4.15pm Monday to Friday or sessional part time hours within this
• Fixed term contract for a year with potential for a permanent contract
• Inclusive Nursery with resourced SEND provision including autism, global developmental delay and profound multiple learning difficulties
• Thorough induction and fantastic CPD opportunities including the Lanterns approach to teaching and learning in the early years, Makaton, Attention Autism, communication and visuals, trauma informed practice, sensory processing
• Forward thinking approach to teaching and learning following current theory and the most up to date research and practice
• Opportunities to gain qualifications if desired
• Employee support including confidential counselling and health advice
• Family friendly policies
• Staff discount (Kaarp)

Due to the high priority of these roles, applications will be reviewed upon receipt and successful candidates will be contacted regarding interview arrangements ASAP prior to closing date.

Application Procedure

For more information and to request an application pack please contact adminoffice@lanterns.hants.sch.uk or call our friendly administrative team on 01962 860393.

Lanterns Nursery School & Extended Services and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.