Job Purpose:

The Playgroup Leader is responsible for the day to day running of the setting. The role will involve planning, preparing and delivering play-based activities appropriate for children aged 2 ½ to 4 years. This will take the form of short, medium and long-term planning for the group of children. The successful candidate will need to undertake assessment, monitoring and recording of individual children’s development. The Playgroup Leader is also responsible for the management and development of the Playgroup Assistants, including the allocation and monitoring of work, appraisals and training. 

Main Duties: 

Children:

• Provide safe, stimulating group play to meet the social, linguistic, creative, physical, imaginative and emotional needs of each and every child.

• Establish productive working relationships with children, acting as a role model and setting high expectations.

• Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all children within the Playgroup.

• Encourage all children to interact and work cooperatively with others and engage all children in activities.

• Ensure there is a happy and positive atmosphere at each session.

• Take time to listen and respond to children, valuing their thoughts and feelings, whilst encouraging and supporting their development. 

• Provide information and advice to enable the children to make choices about their 

own behaviour.

• Promote independence and employ strategies to recognise and reward children’s achievement of self-reliance.

• Provide and maintain equality of opportunity for all children and their families.

• Ensure the children are supervised at all times.

 

Staff and Setting Management:

• Encourage and enable parental involvement in the group, including the involvement of rota helpers in the play activities where possible (Current COVID regulations must be adhered to)

• Manage resources effectively and ensure classrooms are left tidy and ready for the next session.

• Take responsibility for the development and implementation of appropriate behaviour management strategies appropriate for the age and ability of the children in the group.

• Organise and manage an appropriate and safe learning environment and resources.

• Select and prepare resources to take account of the children’s interests, language and cultural backgrounds.

• Manage liaison with parents and other relevant bodies to gather the necessary information. Liaise with Health Visitors, Social services and auditors to ensure that the playgroup is satisfying all the necessary legal and statutory requirements. 

• Establish constructive relationships with parents/carers, exchanging information and facilitating support for their child.

• Ensure that the playgroup maintains and builds on theethos of Tavernspite

Primary School.

• Monitor, evaluate and adjust individual plans as appropriate, as the children in your care reach thenext stage in their development.

• Manage record keeping systems and processes,recording progress and achievements in activities systematically. Provide evidence of range and level of progress and attainment.

• Comply with and assist with the development of policies and procedures relating to child protection, health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting concerns to an appropriate person.

• Ensure the Accident and Incident Book is filled in for every accident and that these events are communicated to parents.

• Manage the Playgroup Assistants appointed to the Playgroup.

• Recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to lead, advise and support others, whilst continuing to develop own practice through self-reflection 

and evaluation.

• Hold frequent team meetings with managed staff. 

• Hold regular committee meetings to update and share information, ensuring all those involved are focused on the current priorities of the playgroup.

• Represent your Playgroup at management/other meetings when required.

• Undertake induction/appraisal/training/mentoring for other Playgroup Assistants 

as required.

• Deal with visitors to the Playgroup.

• Participate in personal training and other learning activities as appropriate.

• Ensure there are good standards of hygiene and that equipment is safe and 

regularly checked.

• Keeping records up to date, as stipulated by social services. Adhere to the social services registration regulations.

• Take part in and help with the organisation of special events, outings and visits.

• Ensure wider communication of the playgroup’s activities for example, by contributing to a newsletter and web-based communication methods.

• To develop the Playgroup in terms of reputation and growth

Multi-Agency Working:

• Liaise with CIW, Social Services and other professional as necessary and ensure that all legal and statutory requirements are implemented. 

• Work in partnership with other agencies and any other professional bodies to which you may be affiliated.

Responsibilities of the Registered Person:

• As the registered person you will need to establish a system for monitoring, reviewing and improving the quality of care the playgroup gives to children. You will also need to state how you intend to improve your service each year. This information will need to be reported to the CIW via the Annual Return. More information on this can be found on the Care Inspectorate Wales website.

• The registered person is responsible for all those employed and attending the playgroup setting. They must ensure that the setting meets the CIW National Minimum Standards. 

• The registered person must develop an awareness and understanding of the following regulations: Part 2 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure; The Child Minding and Day Care (Wales) Regulationsand Amendment; The Child Minding and Day Care (Disqualification) (Wales) Regulations; National Minimum Standards for Regulated Child Care.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an application and interview process with the CIW, in order to become the registered person. This will take place once the successful candidate is in their new position.