Wild Sparks Outdoor Nursery are seeking new board members to increase and strengthen our governance team. We are keen to engage with those who are invested in achieving positive outcomes for the nursery which operates as a Community Interest Company in Eastern Perthshire.
Wild Sparks nursery opened in January 2017 and serves approximately 30 families each year with children aged 3 – 7 years. We are passionate about providing young children with high quality early learning and childcare through a play based and nature focussed pedagogy. The nursery is based in a woodland and our team have developed innovative ways to meet the statutory requirements of early learning and childcare whilst working entirely outdoors.
Our service creates local jobs in a rural environment and involves management of a private 7 acre woodland site. We are committed to inclusion and children’s rights and are passionate about supporting children to be active agents of their own learning, primarily through play and exploration.
We are seeking board members who share our vision and ethos and can provide focused support and professional advice with key decisions and strategies to uphold sustainability and quality throughout the service, and support us through any unexpected challenges.
The duties of our Board are:
- ensure the organisation complies with its governing documents and pursues its aims and objectives whilst remaining true to its ethos and vision
- contribute actively to strategic decisions and action planning around key issues affecting any or all aspects of the service
- safeguard the good name and values of the organisation
- ensure the financial stability of the organisation
We look to attract a range of skills and experience to ensure we have a balanced group of individuals on our Board. We are particularly keen to hear from you if you have experience in governance, finance and early years leadership within the PVI sector.
Commitment involves attendance at 4-6 meetings per year, either online or in person, and support with planning, research and advocacy to enable us to uphold our aims and achieve financial and systemic sustainability.
Ideally, we want to appoint people within driving distance of the nursery, however we will consider board members who can work remotely and communicate online. This is an unpaid position.
Top job! Care, Welfare and Family Engagement Manager and Co-director
- Part time
- £28,000 – £30,000 pro-rata
- Keithick Estate, Coupar Angus, Perthshire & working from home.
- Closing 8th September 2023
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to take a senior role in managing and delivering Wild Sparks Outdoor Nursery for children aged 3-7 years. This role will have particular emphasis on care, welfare and family engagement, with the following key leadership areas:
- Care & nurture (transitions, settling in, emotional regulation)
- Children’s personal plans & records
- Child enrolment
- Support for children with ASN / vulnerable families
- Developing family engagement
- Health and safety, including site maintenance overview
- Food safety & Hygiene
- Child Protection Officer
- Self-evaluation & improvement planning
Director responsibilities, actively contribute to:
- Budget allocation and management
- Strategic planning & development of Wild Sparks Outdoor Play CIC
This role involves a mixture of admin and contact work which will vary to reflect the changing needs of nursery and its’ stakeholders. We are seeking an individual who is equally capable and comfortable working with children and families as undertaking administrative tasks, developing initiatives and prioritising a busy workload. You must be passionate about play and early years development with an understanding of the regulatory bodies that oversee early learning and childcare services.
This role will involve working closely with a partner manager / co-director in a similar role but with responsibility for pedagogy, learning environment, staff development and business sustainability.
Hours:Average 29 hours per week including 8.15am – 4.45pm on 2 set days per week during PKC term time. Some flexibility with other hours. Term time weighted at 30 hours per week during term time, remainder to be worked in school holidays. Approximately 60% non-contact and 40% in ratio. More detailed information on the working pattern available by request