Childcare Practitioner (Maternity Cover)

Whitford Playgroup is seeking to appoint a Childcare Practitioner to join our setting. We provide morning and afternoon playgroup sessions, together with wraparound childcare for children aged 2–11 years attending Ysgol y Llan.

The Trustees of Whitford Playgroup are seeking to appoint a Childcare Practitioner to support the supervision and care of children within the Playgroup and After-School Club. The successful candidate will work as part of a team to provide high-quality play, learning and childcare opportunities, supporting children and young people to develop and thrive. The appointment is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, and Right to Work in the UK checks.

Salary: National Minimum Wage (depending on age and qualifications).

Job Purpose

To provide a safe, stimulating environment and high-quality care and education for children aged 2–11 years. The post holder must hold a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Playwork.

Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Contribute to weekly planning alongside the staff team.
• Record children's progress, skills and learning outcomes.
• Set up, clear away and clean resources and equipment.
• Ensure planned activities are prepared appropriately each day.
• Follow the staff rota and complete all required daily records.
• Maintain up-to-date records for keyworker children, including Baseline Assessments and Next Steps.
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• Contribute to self-evaluation activities.
• Attend termly appraisal meetings with the Person in Charge.
• Record hours worked and submit them monthly to the Person in Charge.
• Be familiar with the Curriculum for Funded Non-Maintained
• Nursery Settings.
• Be familiar with and comply with CIW National Minimum Standards.
• Be familiar with Estyn requirements.
• Follow all policies and procedures at all times.
• Work effectively as part of a team and communicate professionally.
• Attend training as required.

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

• Hold a Level 3 qualification in Playwork, Childcare, Learning and Development, or an equivalent qualification.
• Hold a Playwork qualification or be willing to work towards one.
• Have good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Demonstrate effective ICT skills.
• Be able to use relevant equipment and resources appropriately.
• Have knowledge of policies and procedures relevant to the role.
• Work constructively as part of a team, understanding roles, responsibilities and professional boundaries.
• Identify personal training and development needs and discuss these with the Person in Charge.
• Hold, or be willing to undertake, First Aid, Safeguarding and Food Hygiene training.

Further Information

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the post, please contact: Mrs Bethany Groom, Whitford Playgroup Supervisor or Mr Tomos Williams, Headteacher. Telephone: 01745 560431

Playgroup

• Monday to Friday
• 11:15am – 3:15pm

After-School Club

• Monday to Thursday
• 3:15pm – 5:15pm

Total Hours: 28 hours per week

• 20 hours Playgroup
• 8 hours After-School Childcare

If you are interested in this vacancy, please complete the application form, demonstrating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the Person Specification, and email it to: whhead@hwbcymru.net(link sends e-mail)

Please use "Whitford Playgroup Job Application" as the subject line of your email.

Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: 6:00pm on Monday, 6th July 2026
Provisional Interview Date: (W/C 13th July TBC)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to spend time within the setting prior to interview.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification below for the essential and desirable criteria.