Room Leader
About Us
Little Learners Nursery is located on the beautiful University of Reading Whiteknights Campus. Our purpose-built nursery opened in 2009 to provide high-quality childcare for students and staff of the University of Reading and Reading Students' Union.
We provide care and education for up to 100 children aged three months to five years in a warm, nurturing and inspiring environment. Our experienced team is committed to providing outstanding early years education while ensuring every child feels safe, valued and supported to reach their full potential.
At Little Learners Nursery, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to safer recruitment practices and expect all staff to share this commitment.
Key Details
Job Title: Room Leader
Department: Little Learners Nursery
Contract: Permanent
Hours:
- Full Time – 35 hours over 4 days
- Additional hours may be available up to 40 hours over 4.5 days
Salary:
- £30,200 – £33,300 (35 hours per week)
- £34,428 – £39,900 (40 hours per week)
What You'll Receive
We recognise the importance of supporting our employees both professionally and personally. We offer:
- 35 days’ annual leave, including bank holidays and nursery closure days
- 50% discounted childcare
- Perkbox employee benefits
- TOTUM discount card
- Nest Pension Scheme
- Free annual flu vaccination
- Discounted parking
- Discounted gym membership
- Shops and cafés on the University campus
- Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
- Regular supervision and annual appraisal
- Reimbursement of the annual DBS Update Service subscription
Job Purpose
As Room Leader you will lead by example, creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can learn, develop and thrive.
You will support the Nursery Manager in the day-to-day management of your room, ensuring consistently high standards of care, education, safeguarding and customer service.
You will lead, motivate and support your team, promote high-quality teaching and learning, and ensure that every child receives the best possible start in life.
You will act as a role model for safeguarding, professional conduct and high-quality early years practice, ensuring that the welfare of children remains the highest priority at all times.
Key Responsibilities
Learning, Development and Care
- Create a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment where children's individual needs are always the priority.
- Build positive relationships with children, parents and carers.
- Deliver excellent customer service through professional daily communication.
- Plan and deliver high-quality learning experiences in accordance with the EYFS.
- Ensure children's welfare, safeguarding and wellbeing remain central to all decision-making.
- Support children's emotional wellbeing, behaviour and independence.
- Maintain children's Learning Journeys and plan next steps based on observations.
- Provide regular feedback and hold parent meetings.
- Recognise and report safeguarding concerns immediately in accordance with nursery procedures.
Health and Safety
- Maintain high standards of health, safety and hygiene.
- Carry out daily health and safety checks.
- Complete risk assessments where required.
- Ensure safe access and security throughout the nursery.
- Lead emergency evacuations when required.
- Support first aid provision.
- Report maintenance concerns promptly.
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and nursery procedures.
Leadership and Management
- Lead, motivate and support your room team.
- Delegate work appropriately and provide day-to-day guidance.
- Complete regular supervision meetings and annual appraisals for allocated team members.
- Lead room meetings.
- Support safer recruitment, induction and probation processes where required.
- Promote a positive, professional and collaborative team culture.
Learning and Development
- Plan activities based on children's interests and developmental needs.
- Monitor children's progress and ensure assessments remain accurate.
- Review learning environments and resources.
- Support continuous improvement in teaching practice.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Support the implementation of the SEND Code of Practice.
- Monitor progress of children with SEND.
- Work alongside parents, professionals and external agencies.
- Support referrals and transition arrangements.
- Work closely with the Nursery SENCo.
Behaviour Support
- Promote positive behaviour.
- Support practitioners with behaviour strategies.
- Implement the nursery's Behaviour Policy.
- Attend relevant behaviour management training.
Professional Development
- Attend staff meetings.
- Maintain mandatory training.
- Identify personal development needs.
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding, early years’ legislation and nursery policies.
- Work safely and professionally at all times.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
- Full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification (or above).
- Good standard of education.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Essential Experience
- Experience working within an Early Years setting.
- Experience of leading or supervising a team.
- Experience supporting children with SEND.
- Experience of planning and delivering activities in line with the EYFS.
- Experience of building positive relationships with children and families.
Essential Knowledge
- Sound knowledge of the EYFS.
- Good understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
- Knowledge of child development.
- Knowledge of SEND and inclusive practice.
- Knowledge of health and safety requirements.
Essential Skills
- Excellent communication skills.
- Good written and verbal communication.
- Ability to lead and motivate others.
- Ability to organise workload effectively.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
- Good problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Personal Qualities
- Warm, caring and approachable.
- Professional and reliable.
- Positive role model.
- Committed to safeguarding children.
- Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Committed to continuous professional development.
- Enthusiastic and motivated.
- Honest and trustworthy.
Other Essential Requirements
Employment is subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks, including:
- Enhanced DBS check.
- Children's Barred List check (where applicable).
- Verification of identity.
- Verification of qualifications.
- Verification of the right to work in the United Kingdom.
- A minimum of two satisfactory references.
Desirable Criteria
- Food Hygiene Level 2.
- Paediatric First Aid qualification.
- Previous Room Leader experience.
Safeguarding Statement
Little Learners Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Appointments are subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks, including references, verification of identity and qualifications, right to work in the UK, an Enhanced DBS check, Children's Barred List check (where applicable), and any other checks required for the role.
Online searches may be undertaken as part of the recruitment process where appropriate and in accordance with current guidance.
Little Learners Nursery is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Pay: £30,200.00-£39,900.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Free flu jabs
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
