Extended nursery hours creates 19 new jobs
Published on:
02
May 2014
Clackmannanshire Council is on the lookout for 19 new Early Years Workers to manage an increase in the number of free nursery hours being introduced.
The Scottish Government announced that from August, 600 hours of paid for childcare will be provided to three and four year olds and to two year olds from certain eligible workless families and families seeking work.
This is a significant increase on the 475 hours currently provided spread over the 38 week school term.
There are 19 full time equivalent posts available and applicants should be qualified to HNC or SVQ III in Childcare and Education or equivalent level and meet the requirements for registration with the Scottish Social Services council.
Convenor of the Council's Education Sport and leisure Committee, Councillor Ellen Forson said:
"The increase in free hours available to a parents is an important step towards making sure that children are given a greater experience of early learning that prepares them for the world of education ahead of them.
"This will also allow parents more flexibility if they are considering moving back into employment or study. This is another milestone toward our goal of a childcare revolution where we want to eventually deliver 30 hours of free childcare a week to all preschool children."
Clackmannanshire currently has 13 nursery classes, one nursery school and partners with one commercial day nursery.
Sharon McGregor from Alloa has been working in early years settings for almost 20 years and is a Senior Early Years Worker at the nursery within Banchory Primary School in Tullibody.
"The way we approach early years education has completely changed from when I qualified" said Sharon, who has a degree in Early Childhood Practice.
"The approach is much more child centred now, focused on planning and implementing learning opportunities and experiences based on children's own interests and how they learn. I feel that it is an exciting time to be involved in Early Years with the implementation of the 600 hours initiative, which also brings with it the recognition of the skills and importance of the Early Years Workers in enhancing and supporting children's early learning and development."
"Today there is also far more of a career structure to early years education, with progression to degree level qualifications possible in way that just wasn't there when I started."
More details of the jobs can be found at myjobscotland.com.
