JOB DESCRIPTION
Conkers (The Balsam Centre’s Community Nursery)
Early Years Educator (EYE)
Nursery Manager
Service:
Job Title:
Reports To:
Main Purpose of Post:
The Early Years Educator role is as part of the team implementing the Statutory Framework
for the Early Years Foundation Stage. You will also be expected to have knowledge and
understanding of the current Early Years Ofsted Framework for Inspection.
As a member of the team, to work in partnership with staff, parents, carers and their children.
To work in a flexible, professional way, promoting the development, welfare and potential of
all children.
To provide high quality, inclusive, fully integrated childcare for children under five.
Main Responsibilities and Duties:
To have responsibility for a number of children, ensuring that children’s childcare
needs are met at all times by:
• Providing high quality childcare and education for children aged between 3 months
and 4 years, including a wide range of activities and opportunities to enable children
to achieve their full potential.
• Assisting in providing a warm, caring environment for children and their families.
Integrating children and parents with disabilities sensitively and positively, promoting
participation in activities.
• Effectively using the planning, monitoring and recording systems within the nursery.
• Ensuring a safe, fully inclusive, stimulating and supportive environment both indoors
and outside, to meet individual needs in accordance with the areas of learning and
development for the EYFS, enabling children to develop the characteristics of
effective early learning
• Adhering to the requirements of OFSTED in everyday practice including planning,
effective room organisation and provision of Early Years resources
• Liaising with parents and carers to discuss the needs of their children and sharing
developmental information as required with other professionals.
• Caring for and supervising a number of children in the role of Key Person. Taking
care of their personal needs and encouraging self reliance and social skills.
• Assisting children at meal times, clearing away and cleaning up after meals.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness/tidiness and hygiene within the nursery.
• Promoting the aims, objectives and high standards of the nursery
• Have up to date training and knowledge about Safeguarding policies and processes.
Be pro- active and confident in all aspects of safeguarding and know how to respond
to safeguarding concerns and the recording processes. Safeguarding is part of
Continued Professional Development.
The Early Years Educator will also:
• Work in partnership with parents/carers to determine children’s learning styles and
interests, identify each child’s care, development and educational needs and ensure
that they are met.
• Participate in regular supervision and attend staff meetings.
• Undertake ‘out of hours’ activities, e.g. training, planning meetings, monthly staff
meetings, parents evening, fundraising events etc. as required.
• Liaise with other Early Years professionals as required.
• Be prepared to work additional hours, sometimes at short notice, in order to maintain
ratios if a member of staff is unexpectedly absent.
• Ensure confidentiality of all information received and shared
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities by agreement with the Lead Senior EYE
• Facts and Figures:
Conkers Nursery provides integrated early years education and childcare for children aged
from 3 months to school age. We operate between 7.45 a.m. and 5.45 p.m. from Monday
to Friday 50 weeks per annum.
Conkers Nursery is registered for 38 children.
Standards of care and practice are mandated by OFSTED
SUPPORTING PROCESSES
Problem Solving and Creativity:
The post holder is required to work in creative and imaginative ways with children and
their families and to plan activities which sustain children’s interests and involvement,
enabling a deep level of learning.
Decision Making:
Decisions will be made in liaison with the Management team.
Physical Effort and Working Conditions:
• The post involves lifting children and lifting and handling of play equipment
•
It is an active role, taking part in practical activities and physical care of young
children.
• We operate a free flow system (outside/inside), and all staff work outdoors daily.
Appropriate clothing is required for all weathers.
• The post holder is likely to come into contact with people who are infectious. Others
may have specific learning needs or emotional/behavioural needs
Contacts and Relationships:
• It is an essential element of the job to build and maintain a range of close contacts
and relationships with children, young people and families and other professional
staff.
• There is an expectation of contacts and discussions with Early Years professionals,
voluntary bodies and other agencies relating to children’s needs. These involve
sharing information and may lead to the development of individual packages of
support.
Additional Information:
This post is exempt form the Rehabilitation of Offenders Acts.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
Essential
• An appropriate qualification, Level 2 or 3 in Early Years
• Level 2 Numeracy and Literacy or equivalent
• Experience of working with in Early Years settings
• Experience of supporting children with additional needs, liaising with external
agencies and working with parents and families
• Knowledge and understanding of the relevant Children’s Acts, frameworks and
statutory guidance including EYFS 2014.
• A thorough understanding of how children acquire the characteristics of effective
early learning
• Awareness of and commitment to child safeguarding and associated responsibilities
• The ability to create and maintain accurate records to support children’s learning,
development, safety and welfare
Desirable
• Experience of supporting parents and families within their home community
• Knowledge of In The Moment Planning
• Knowledge of Family App or similar recording systems
• Forest School qualification
Job Description WINCANTON CARES – Benefits Officer WINCANTON CARES aims to provide more care, in its broadest sense, to older, more vulnerable people living in the BA9 Postcode area which comprises Wincanton and the 15 associated parishes. We know that Adult Health and Social Care funding and provision are in crisis, We believe that the only sustainable answer to this is a more localised model of care. By ensuring that older residents claim the benefits they are entitled to, they will have the funds needed to purchase the support they need. This is turn will help to stimulate the local rural economy. The strategy has 8 main strands listed in the background documentation. The main role of the Benefits Officer will be to help residents across the BA9 Postcode area to claim a range of Government benefits and services with an emphasis on Attendance Allowance, Carers’ Allowance, Pension Credits, Blue Badge applications and charitable support. Job Title Responsible to Base Salary Term Working hours Annual leave Probationary period Notice Period Benefits Officer – WINCANTON CARES WINCANTON CARES Steering group Working from home £27,000 pro rata Contract runs for one year 6 hours per week, to be flexibly deployed 28 days pro rata 3 months 2 months Job Title: WINCANTON CARES – Benefits Officer Job Purpose: To support residents in the BA9 postcode area in making successful benefit applications that will enable them to live their best life. Successful applications also have the potential to bring monies into the area to support the provision and growth of local goods and services. Accountabilities: • Monitoring: WINCANTON CARES Steering Group • Review: Balsam Centre Board of Trustees Recruitment Practices • We recruit for potential, not perfection, • We are a values based recruiter, • We value lived experience as a demonstration of capability for a role, • We only utilise truly “essential” criteria in recruitment, • We are committed to safer recruitment practice. WINCANTON CARES Benefits Officer Job Description 09/09/25 1 • The post holder will have a strong understanding of the benefits’ system; in particular Attendance Allowance, Carers’ Allowance and Pension Credits. • The postholder will also be expected to be able to help residents access other sources of support including Blue Badge, winter fuel payments and local charities. • You will also need to work closely with our Project Officer who acts as a Community Connector: bridging the gaps between individuals and the support, resources, and relationships available within our local area. A. Main Responsibilities 1. Work collaboratively to promote awareness of WINCANTON CARES Benefits service to prospective users 2. Provide accurate information regarding welfare benefits 3. Provide an advice service which is flexible to need and which will likely include delivery via local hubs, home visits, email and telephone as well as face to face appointments. 4. Provide assistance to complete applications for a range of benefits and support acting as the client’s advocate 5. Work in partnership with the WINCANTON CARES Project Officer, representatives of Citizens’ Advice Bureau and other agencies 6. Work autonomously with a minimum of supervision 7. Handle correspondence, maintain records of meetings, performance data and design and implement office procedures 8. Lead on associated Benefits-related publicity material, social media, reports for the Steering Group, Board of Trustees and other stakeholders. 9. Manage any allocated budget alongside WINCANTON CARES’ Finance Officer 10. Maintain clear IT systems including data bases. 11. Report regularly to the WINCANTON CARES Steering Group and other interested parties 12. Maintain confidentiality at all times unless it impacts negatively on the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. 13. Respect difference, diversity and the lived experiences of service users and providers whilst promoting equity and inclusion. 14. Ensure the welfare of vulnerable residents by following WINCANTON CARES’ Safeguarding procedures; referring concerns, in the first instance, to the line manager or safeguarding Lead. 15. Comply with WINCANTON CARES’ policies and procedures 16. Undertake any other reasonable duties as identified by the line manager. B. Desirable Qualifications and Experience 1. To empathise with, and understand the needs of, vulnerable people in the community and work in a Person-centred way. 2. Understanding of the personal and financial implications of rural isolation, age, illness, disability and end of life care. 3. Effective communication and networking skills 4. Ability to interpret the legislation in relation to benefits 5. Ability to maintain clear performance data; ensure it is kept up-to-date 6. Good administrative, numeracy and literary skills 7. Good IT skills and be administratively self-supporting 8. Hold a clean, current Driving Licence WINCANTON CARES Benefits Officer Job Description 09/09/25 2 C. Other useful skills 1. To show a desire to make a difference in the local community. 2. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team 3. To think creatively, take the initiative and to be both forward thinking and act proactively 4. To multi task, prioritise and be adaptive 5. To understand relationships and adapt to the differing needs of residents 6. Exhibit outstanding interpersonal skills D. General 1. Take a positive approach to professional development by updating skills and knowledge to ensure quality service delivery 2. To take part in regular, reflective supervision and appraisals to ensure both the delivery of a good quality service and personal and professional development. 3. To attend any required training that will increase knowledge and proficiency in the specified area of work. 4. To attend any meetings as deemed necessary by management. 5. To work collaboratively and restoratively with colleagues, stakeholders, people who are supported. 6. To provide training so as to enable the Steering Group to understand the Benefits’ system Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. Right to Work in the UK All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to employment. We are committed to conducting right to work checks in line with Home Office guidance and will not discriminate based on nationality or immigration status. WINCANTON CARES Benefits Officer Job Description 09/09/25 3
WINCANTON COMMUNITY VENTURE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title
Responsible to
Work Base
Hours
Caretaker/Cleaner
Centre Administrator
The Balsam Centre
6 hours per week on Mondays and Tuesdays, flexible working evenings
from 5.00pm-8.00pm preferred, with occasional later lock-ups.
Provide cover for holiday periods for other members of the team.
Rate of Pay
Main Purpose of Job:
£12.50 per hour
To ensure the cleanliness of the Balsam Centre building and take responsibility for the general
security of the building out of hours. Liaise with users, tenants and staff of the Centre to support
the activities of the Balsam Centre.
Main Responsibilities and Duties:
• Monitor designated areas within the Centre and clean to the appropriate specification as
directed by the Centre Administrator and Covid enhanced Health and Safety
requirements.
• Empty waste bins and dispose of refuse bags into bin for fortnightly collection
• Wash, clean, polish floors using appropriate machine and cleaning products. Vacuum
carpeted areas
• Wipe down, sanitise, dust and polish furniture. Undertake a deep clean during summer
holiday periods or as otherwise appropriate, including washing low level to walls, doors,
furniture and fixtures
• Setting up of rooms including manual handling of tables and equipment
• Light maintenance duties
• Communicate with users, tenants, and staff of the Centre
• Responsibility for the building during evenings, including opening and securing of
premises using the alarm system
• Occasional weekend attendance including opening and securing of the premises
• Act as first call out contact, when on duty, for Intruder/Fire alarm activation
• Maintain the cleaning storeroom in a clean, tidy and safe condition
• Maintain records of equipment use and materials as required and/or Data Sheets for
Control of Substances Harmful to Health
• Check tables and chairs for any damage likely to cause injury
• Report faults in equipment/breakages to the Centre Administrator as soon as possible by
leaving completed information sheet requesting action to be taken
• Provide cover for holiday/sick leave periods of the Centre’s other cleaners/caretakers
• Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required by the Centre’s
Management Board.
• Ensure that the values of the Wincanton Community Venture are promoted at all times.
To promote and adhere to all policies adopted by the Management Board of Wincanton
Community Venture
Person Specification:
• Previous experience of cleaning work in a similar situation
• Ability to lone work and take responsibility for the security of the Centre building
• Able to prioritise workload and work on own initiative
• An understanding of Health & Safety issues including an understanding of cleaning
products data sheets and use of personal protective clothing
• Experience of manual handling an advantage but not essential as training can be given
• Pro-active approach
• Flexible and motivated
• Good communication skills
• Live within a 30 minute travel distance of the Centre as he/she will a named security key
holder
• An understanding of and commitment to work towards the aims of Wincanton Community
Venture