We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are keen to gain experience with our youngest visitors (those aged 0-4 years old). As an early years volunteer you will be friendly, energetic, easy to talk to and patient. The Herbert offers a wide range of early years activities that include sensory play sessions and our VERY messy Mini Makers activities. These sessions get incredibly busy and involve a lot of tidying up, but most importantly fun!
Role: Early Years Learning Assistant
Where: Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
When: Specific dates when the Sensory Play Days and Mini Makers sessions are running. These usually fall on the first Thursday of every month, plus the third Thursday and Friday of every month, but this can vary. Please discuss your availability with our volunteer coordinator.
Time: 10:15am – 2:30pm (For Sensory Play Days)
10:15am – 3:30pm (For Mini Makers)
If you are only available to do part of these hours please let us know.
Role Outline
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are keen to gain experience with our youngest visitors (those aged 0-4 years old). As an early years volunteer you will be friendly, energetic, easy to talk to and patient. The Herbert offers a wide range of early years activities that include sensory play sessions and our VERY messy Mini Makers activities. These sessions get incredibly busy and involve a lot of tidying up, but most importantly fun!
Background information
The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is an award winning museum, and was named Britain’s most family friendly museum in 2010 by Kids In Museums and was shortlisted again in 2017. Our permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions feature lots of exciting interactives and child friendly content, guaranteeing that our family audiences have a fun and memorable experience during their visit.
Main Duties and Activities
- Assisting families as they arrive for the activities. This includes taking payment, introducing them to the activities and directing them to where to put pushchairs.
- Talking to parents/carers to ensure they are happy and relaxed.
- Encouraging play - this sometimes involves helping a shy child to feel comfortable within the museum setting, or offering words of advice to parents about how to interact with our spaces.
- Being an advocate for sensory, imaginative and open-ended play.
- Promoting our early years offer and wider family programme.
- Helping to tidy up at the end of the activities.
Benefits and training
In this support role you will have the opportunity to:
- Become a key part of the team of staff and volunteers in an award winning museum.
- Gain experience of volunteering in a stimulating environment.
- Meet interesting people and gain new skills and knowledge.
- Work directly with our early years audience.
- Develop your CV.
- Reference for future employment.
- And most importantly, have fun!