Based at Wellholme Park Children’s Centre

15 hours per week (Temporary post until August 2023, with the possibility of extending/permanent contract)

Shift Pattern between the hours 7.45am – 5.45pm Monday – Friday

Pay scale £19,389 – £19,485 per annum pro rata

Wage dependent on qualification

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Wellholme Park Children’s Centre.

We are looking to recruit an Early Years Practitioner supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities. The post requires an enthusiastic approach to work with children and support their individual learning and developmental needs.

Please note this post is suitable for unqualified practitioners.

If you would like more information about the vacancy at Wellholme Park Children’s Centre please contact

Jenni Langford or Joanne Barraclough on 01484 714768.

Closing date for the post is 12 noon on Wednesday 17th August 2022

Please note: if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the stated closing date, please assume you have not been shortlisted for interview.

North Halifax Partnership LTD is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Due to the nature of this post you will be required to undertake a DBS Check.

Job Description

Application Form

Application Letter

Hints and Tips

Based at Innovations Children’s Centre

12.5 hours per week

£19,292 per annum, pro rata

We currently have a vacancy for a hard-working cleaner to join our premises support team. You will to be responsible for ensuring there is a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness in all areas throughout the Centre in both the nursery areas and the public spaces.

If you would like more information about this vacancy please contact Dean Carter on 01422 434006 or 07745378171

For an application pack please see below or contact our Core Services team on 01422 251090

Closing date for the post is 12 noon on Wednesday 17th August 2022

Please note: if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the stated closing date, please assume you have not been shortlisted for interview.

Job Description

Application Form

Application Letter

Hints and Tips

Kevin Pearce and Innovations Children’s Centre, run by Sure Start North Halifax Partnership, were approached by Octopus Energy Group to take part in a special project together.

On 20th July, the energy company visited Innovations Children’s Centre to complete a workshop with the children. The children had the chance to learn all about renewable energy and created drawings which Octopus Energy will now use as projections on the turbines! Octopus Energy own wind turbine number three at Ovenden Moor.

They also had a special visitor, Constantine the Octopus puppet, who spoke about how we can look after our planet, what energy is and how we need to try use less. The children were then provided with a kit to make their own wind turbine. Fact sheets were also given to parents with top tips on how to save energy which included weekly tasks they could complete to reduce energy in the home.

Top tips on how to stay safe – cool, hydrated and reducing the risks of heat exhaustion, heat stress or heat stroke.

Health risks from heat

Children cannot control their body temperature as efficiently as adults during hot weather because they do not sweat as much and so can be at risk of ill-health from heat. Heat- related illness can range from mild heat stress to potentially life-threatening heatstroke. The main risk from heat is dehydration (not having enough water in the body). If sensible precautions are taken children are unlikely to be adversely affected by hot conditions, look out for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heat stress

Children suffering from heat stress may seem out of character or show signs of discomfort and irritability (including those listed below for heat exhaustion). These signs will worsen with physical activity and if left untreated can lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion

Symptoms of heat exhaustion vary but include one or more of the following:

• tiredness
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• hot, red and dry skin
• confusion

Heatstroke

When the body is exposed to very high temperatures, the mechanism that controls body temperature may stop working. Heatstroke can develop if heat stress or heat exhaustion is left untreated, but it can also occur suddenly and without warning.

Symptoms of heatstroke may include:

• high body temperature – a temperature of or above 40°C (104°F) is a major sign of heatstroke
• red, hot skin and sweating that then suddenly stops
• fast heartbeat
• fast shallow breathing
• confusion/lack of co-ordination
• fits
• loss of consciousness

Actions to protect children suffering from heat illness

The following steps to reduce body temperature should be taken immediately:

1. Move the child to as cool a room as possible and encourage them to drink cool water (such as water from a cold tap).
2. Cool the child as rapidly as possible, using whatever methods you can. For example, sponge or spray the child with cool (25 to 30°C) water – if available, place cold packs around the neck and armpits, or wrap the child in a cool, wet sheet and assist cooling with a fan.
3. Dial 999 to request an ambulance if the person doesn’t respond to the above treatment within 30 minutes.

If a child loses consciousness, or has a fit, place the child in the recovery position, call 999 immediately and follow the steps above until medical assistance arrives.

Babies are not as good at regulating their body temperature so it’s important to keep them cool as possible. Hopefully these tips will help.

Try to keep the room as cool as possible

Ideally the room where your baby sleeps should be kept at about 16-20 degrees but in the hot weather this can be really difficult.

• Create a flow of air by having as many windows open as possible and have the curtains or blinds partly closed during the day to protect from direct sunlight.
• If you have a fan, pop a bottle of frozen water or bowl of ice in front of it so it cools the air as it moves.
• If you are worried about the room temperature then it may be worth having a room thermometer to keep an eye out.

Think about bedding

• Use cotton sheets and blankets.
• Avoid using waterproof sheets, as these can be sweaty for the baby and make them overheat.
• Avoid swaddling your baby so they can kick off the blanket more easily if they get hot.

Dressing your baby

• Do not be afraid to leave your baby to sleep in only a nappy if it is hot in the room, especially above 24 degrees.
• If your baby doesn’t like this, then just pop a thin cotton blanket or muslin as a single layer over them.
• When checking your baby’s temperature, feel their chest or the back of their neck as their hands and feet will be cooler than the rest of their body.

Feeding your baby

• If you breastfeed your baby you may find they want to feed a little more often. They shouldn’t need any water if they’re under 6 months old as breast milk is as hydrating as water.
• If your baby is having formula then they may need a little cooled boiled water but try to keep this to a minimum and not just before a feed.

Being out and about during the day

• It’s really important to avoid placing a blanket or cover over the buggy or pram as this stops air circulating and can make it even hotter for the baby and stops the air from circulating which can increase the risk of SIDS (SUDDEN Infant Death Syndrome)
• Use factor 50 or higher sun cream on babies over the age of 6 months. Babies under 6 months should be kept in the shade or should wear a hat to shade them if you are walking about.
• Regularly check your baby’s temperature and be prepared that they may need feeding a little more often.

Protecting older children

During periods of high temperature, the following steps should be taken:

• children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days, such as when temperatures are in excess of 30°C
• encourage children playing outdoors to stay in the shade as much as possible
• use sunscreen (at least factor 15 with UVA protection) to protect skin if children are playing outdoors.
• provide children with plenty of water (such as water from a cold tap) and encourage them to drink more than usual when conditions are hot:

• open windows as early as possible in the morning, or preferably overnight to allow stored heat to escape
• almost close windows when the outdoor air becomes warmer than the air indoors – this should help keep the heat out while allowing adequate ventilation
• use outdoor sun awnings if available, or close indoor blinds or curtains, but do not let them block window ventilation
• keep the use of electric lighting to a minimum
• oscillating mechanical fans can be used to increase air movement if temperatures are below 35°C – at temperatures above 35°C fans may not prevent heat-related illness and may worsen dehydration
• encourage children to eat normally and drink plenty of cool water
• Never leave your child in a parked car

Taken form www.tommys.org & https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england/looking-after-children-and-those-in-early-years-settings-during-heatwaves-for-teachers-and-professionals