Preschool Music and Learning Practitioner

JUMA ARTS

Job Summary and Description

Job Title:

Music and Learning Practitioner

Department:

Pre-school education

Grade or Remit:

Self-Employed

Reports to:

Education and Curriculum Director

Responsible for:

Delivery of pre-school music and learning experiences

Based at:

Various locations

Role purpose, dimensions and responsibilities:

To be a representative of Juma Arts to its Clients and Customers

Juma Arts preschool teaching philosophy:

• Provide opportunities for children to play age appropriate musical instruments e.g. percussion instruments; triangle, drums, maracas, etc. in their own way


• Model what children can do with instruments e.g., echoing and creating different levels of sound through dynamics.


• Use appropriate musical terminology e.g., the correct names of instruments, terms such as rhythm, melody, dynamics, tempo etc.


• Use songs and rhythmic activities throughout the day


• Utilize a variety of music from different cultures and genres for classroom activities (e.g., classical, jazz, rock, reggae, rap, etc.)


• Provide opportunities to experience performances of music from professional musicians (e.g., performances by members of the local community and/or professional troupes, as well as performances by peers)

Juma Arts Preschool learning outcomes:

• Sings or plays music alone at home or with others


• Uses a variety of musical instruments (e.g., traditional instruments, homemade instruments, his/her body) to create music alone and/or with others


• Children and parents can share their reactions/feelings to diverse musical genres and or styles (e.g., in reaction to listening to a classic lullaby a child might say, "This music makes me feel quiet inside.")

Achieving Juma Arts preschool philosophy and outcomes by:

• Being responsible for the educational and social development of children within your Assignment through the use of a variety of agreed instructional methods including dance, art, music, storytelling and games to instil learning in small children


• Facilitate creative, interactive and movement activity to maximise learning potential through your involvement and participation in delivery of work plans, demonstrating the connection between fun and learning


• Deliver Assignments to pre-agreed Juma Arts lesson plans which include the alphabet, simple word recognition, numbers, days of the week and seasons. Provide children and parents with activity schedules and an established classroom routine


• To fulfil the roles required to provide children and parents with a musical and learning experience that is rewarding and can be measured quantifiably and quantitatively


• To be a positive and appropriate role model in dress, conduct and communication.  You will provide the dual role of a nurturer and teacher. Small children need positive encouragement and love; appropriate compliments relating to their participation and effort.  You will exhibit patience and flexibility behaving in a manner you wouldn’t mind our customers emulating


• Providing feedback – you will be responsible for providing feedback on the sessions progress and development and, noting what is working well and any areas for improvement. You will also be responsible to communicate any risks, issues or incidents directly to Juma Arts and or the Client as required / appropriate


• Keep progress notes evaluating behaviour, development and health matters. Recognising and reporting any possible problems with Juma Arts and Client as directed within Juma Arts employee policy and guidance procedures

Commitment to multi-cultural communities and diversity:

To take an individual and collective responsibility for championing Juma Arts diversity and equal opportunities agenda and code of conduct whenever possible

You will work with children and parents from varied ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. It is important that you can work effectively with a diverse range of people and have a respect and appreciation for those with different values and views to your own.

Key Contacts:

Internal – Juma Arts

• Education and Curriculum Director


• Juma Arts Administration and Support  team


• Commercial Director

External 

• Clients (centre managers and staff) as appropriate


• Customers (children and parents)

Financial and resource management:

There are no direct financial or budgetary responsibilities as this is managed centrally.  However, you will be responsible for the safe use and return of Juma Arts equipment in your care. Appropriate and care of centre and location resources.  Damages to equipment must be immediately reported to Juma Arts to ensure

• Customers (children and babies) are kept safe at all times and appropriate replacements to damaged equipment is arranged


• Juma Arts equipment is provided on the condition that the cost of replacement for breakages occurring during a session are the responsibility of the Music and Learning Practitioner


• Timely invoice management to ensure prompt payment within agreed period


• Time sheets and holidays notifications are provided with a minimum of 8 weeks’ notice


• Be familiar with the Juma Arts workplace assessment report for each centre you work, providing feedback on any risks and or issues you become aware of in a timely manner

Additional responsibilities:

• Provide a visible commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement across all areas of Juma Arts (Your opinion is valued and important to the organisation)


• Support your own personal and professional continuous development in delivering client centred Assignments


• Monitor the delivery of your own work stream against agreed targets, timescales and resources.  Ensure that appropriate actions and interventions are taken to achieve the desired outcomes.


• Actively give and share feedback across the team, both positive feedback and constructive criticism 

Other Considerations:

Health and Safety at Work

• Develop and maintain a culture supportive of health and safety and that promotes the implementation of best practice


• Ensure arrangements are in place to ensure a systematic approach to assessment and control of risks

Commitment to security

• Be aware of Juma Arts responsibilities under the data Protection Act (1998) for the security, accuracy and relevance of any personal data held on systems and ensure that all administrative and financial processes comply with this.


• Understand and use best practice for information and security at all times


• To prevent the unauthorised (Juma Arts management and or Client management as authorisers) access to data, audio or image capture of learning sessions and its participants

Personal and Professional development

• Optional: Develop a strategy for personal and professional development


• Required: To participate twice yearly  at the Juma Arts staff management training and open days

Commitment to Juma Arts Values

Juma Arts have developed a list of values which are the foundation of our business practice and commitment to our employee’s and representatives, clients, customers and any other body with whom we interact. They are as follows:

One team:

Great things happen when we work together – colleagues, partners, customers, clients etc. as one team

Proud to serve:

We are proud to be an organisation built on serving others and we put the needs of our clients, customers and community are the heart of everything we do. We welcome feedback from all aspects of the Juma Arts community

Openness:

We say what we mean and mean what we say so that people know where they stand and express their views in a positive, constructive and open environment

Talent:

We recognise that our employees and representatives are our most important asset.  We will invest in our people to help them go beyond where they think they can, encouraging creativity, responsibility, problem solving, personal and professional development and fun

Difference:

We welcome the diversity of our staff, clients and customers and regard this as a strength of a multicultural organisation. We will always treat people as individuals and respect their views and opinions

Excellence:

We will never stop striving to be an excellent organisation, the very best at what we do to deliver the highest quality services to the satisfaction of those who rely and benefit on our services

Required Competencies and Qualifications

• An high level of awareness and familiarity with child development and education theories and practices


• An understanding and knowledge of key musical theory and performance. The ability to play or use an instrument in a professional and confident manner


• Awareness of relevant legislation and processes to ensure that children are safe at all times.


• All Juma Arts Music and Learning Practitioners must hold satisfactory appropriate DBS (CRB) clearance


• License or certificate of child care


• Competent computer user


• Ideal: Associate Degree or BA in Early Childhood Education


• Minimum requirements: Good background/coursework in school basics (English, math, science, etc.) and art and music.


• Absolute familiarity with all emergency procedures

• Patience and compassion: Handle difficult children firmly yet gently to establish basic disciplinary rules and maintain order and respectfulness.


• Cultural awareness – Understands diverse cultural environment of individual children.


• Proven work ethics: Team-building, supervision, decision making and problem solving skills.


• Communication skills and flexibility – Communicates and listens to children, parents and administration in an exceptional manner.