Playworker (Wraparound Childcare)

Location: The Deep End, Rawlins, Quorn

Contract: Casual Contract – Term-Time Only

Hours: 15:15–17:30, two to three days per week, Monday to Thursday, and 14:00–17:00 on Fridays (days will vary depending on operational need). The ideal candidate must also be available to provide additional cover for Breakfast Club, 07:30–08:40, Monday to Friday.

Pay: Starting from £12.16 per hour, rising to £14.24 depending on age and experience.

Start date: 26th October 2026 

Closing date: 5th October 2026

About our Wraparound Childcare

Our Wraparound Childcare provides before and after-school care for children attending St Bartholomew’s C of E Primary School in Quorn. Based at The Deep End, Rawlins, just a short walk from the school, we’ve created a welcoming space where children can switch off from the school day, spend time with friends and enjoy the freedom to play.

Our sessions are centred around child-led free play, alongside a changing programme of adult-led activities including arts and crafts, sports, cooking, games and outdoor play. With access to fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities, including sports courts, fields and woodland, there is plenty of space for children to choose how they spend their time.

Smiles is proudly independent and family-run, with a close and consistent team who get to know the children well. Our aim is simple: to make before and after-school childcare a positive part of the day that children genuinely look forward to.

About the Role

Smiles of Quorn Ltd is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Playworker to join our Wraparound Childcare team. This is a hands-on role supporting the delivery of safe, engaging and enjoyable before and after-school sessions for children attending St Bartholomew’s C of E Primary School in Quorn.

As a Playworker, you will take an active role in planning and leading activities, supervising free play and creating opportunities for children to relax, socialise and have fun. You’ll work across both our indoor and outdoor spaces, helping to provide a varied play environment that responds to children’s interests and individual needs.

Alongside working directly with children, you’ll help with the day-to-day running of sessions, including safely collecting children from school, preparing and supervising snacks, maintaining the play environment and building positive relationships with parents and carers. You’ll work collaboratively with Play Assistants, Playleaders and Senior Leaders, providing support and guidance where appropriate.

Key responsibilities include:

• Planning and leading engaging indoor and outdoor play activities

• Supervising free play, snack times and transitions

• Safely collecting children from school and supporting safe handover at the end of sessions

• Preparing and supervising healthy snacks

• Promoting positive behaviour and responding appropriately to minor concerns

• Building positive relationships and communicating with parents and carers

• Supporting and working collaboratively with other members of the team

• Adapting activities to ensure children with different needs and abilities can participate

• Following safeguarding, health and safety and emergency procedures

• Maintaining accurate attendance, accident, incident and communication records using iPAL

• Taking an active approach to training and continued professional development.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a positive and reliable individual who enjoys working with children and being part of a team.

Essential qualities:

• Experience in childcare or with children aged 4-11

• Level 2 qualification in Childcare or Early Years Education, or working towards it

• Knowledge of safeguarding and health and safety regulations

• Understanding the varied needs of children and their families

• Understanding the issues involved in the delivery of quality play care

• Understanding the issues of equal opportunities

• Provide and facilitate safe and creative play

• Good communication skills

• Able to work as part of a team

• Sound judgement and common sense

• Sufficient understanding and use of English to ensure the children’s wellbeing*

Desirable qualities:

• Experience in a play-based or early years setting

• Experience of administration

• Competent in using IT to support play and club administration

• Ability to work on own initiative

• Appropriate child protection training

• Appropriate health and safety training

• Current Paediatric First Aid Certificate

• Food Hygiene Certificate

* Para 3.33 of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2025

For more information, please refer to our Job Description below.

Apply for this role

If you’re interested in this position, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, please follow the link below and submit your application.

Safeguarding Statement

Smiles of Quorn Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. This role is subject to safer recruitment processes, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.