About Us
Squirrels Corner Pre-School is not a corporate nursery chain or a profit-driven franchise. We are a proud, long-standing Registered Charity deeply rooted in our local neighborhood.
- Driven by Purpose, Not Profit: Every single penny we make goes directly back into our resources, our staff, and enriching the early education of our children.
- Volunteer Parent-Committee Run: Our setting is governed by a passionate team of volunteer parents from our local community. We don't answer to distant shareholders; we answer to the families we serve, creating a uniquely warm, transparent, and collaborative workplace.
The Package, Perks & Family-Friendly Benefits
We have specifically designed this package to support working families and offer a genuine, stress-free work-life balance:
- The Perfect School Run Shift: Work 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM strictly term-time only (40 hours per week). No late nights or weekend shifts—your schedule aligns beautifully with school holidays!
- Starting Salary: Up to £14.85 per hour (depending on experience), rising to £15.00 per hour following a successful 6-month probation period.
- True Working Flexibility: We pride ourselves on being a highly supportive employer and offer genuine flexibility around our core hours for the right candidate.
- Childcare Perks: Have school-age children of your own? We offer discounted rates for your child to attend our Breakfast and After-School clubs, plus flexibility to accommodate your own school runs.
- Paid Sick Leave Buffer: We provide the Manager with 5 days of fully paid sick leave per year (5 total days, not 5 separate occasions).
- Your Birthday Off: Celebrate your day properly with a fully paid day off for your birthday every single year.
- Enhanced Pension Scheme: Plan for your future with our Nest workplace pension scheme, featuring an enhanced 5% employer contribution.
- Predictable, Steady Income: Paid via 12 equal monthly salary payments across the year for absolute financial stability.
- Exclusive Extras: Benefit from a complimentary company Costco card membership as a little extra thank you.
A Unique Role: The "Hands-On" Playing Manager
If you love working directly with children but hate sitting behind a back-office desk staring at corporate spreadsheets all day, this is the role you’ve been waiting for:
- Active in the Playroom: Lead by example on the floor, working actively in-ratio within our playroom to provide an outstanding learning environment.
- Your Own Core Group: Maintain a direct connection to early years practice by organizing the key person system and holding your own key core group of children.
- Settle In Gently: Settle into the role without immediate overwhelm. With a cozy, intimate cohort of children starting this Autumn, you will have the rare opportunity to find your feet at your own pace.
Exceptional Back-Office Support
You are never on your own at Squirrels Corner. We provide our Manager with a robust administrative safety net:
- Dedicated Paid Administrator: We employ a paid Administration/Finance Manager to handle the heavy lifting regarding fees, funding, purchasing, and day-to-day administrative paperwork.
- An 8-Person Committee Structure: You will be fully supported by our valued volunteers and an active, welcoming parent management committee comprising a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and 4 dedicated committee members.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
- Curriculum & Care: Oversee the long-term, medium-term, and weekly curriculum plans, taking into account the EYFS and monitoring its effectiveness. Ensure that children receive a balanced and healthy diet when breakfast and snacks are provided.
- Team Leadership: Supervise staff on a daily basis, monitor the quality of teaching, and manage performance systems (including inductions, probations, 1:1 meetings, team meetings, and appraisals).
- Safeguarding & Safety: Ensure the welfare and safety of children is promoted, acting upon any child protection concerns immediately. Maintain a safe environment with high standards of hygiene and safety procedures.
- Administration & Compliance: Ensure records are properly maintained (daily registers, accident/incident books). Liaise with the Management Committee, Ofsted, the Community Centre management team, and outside professionals.
- Community & Growth: Show prospective parents around the setting, manage application paperwork, and effectively market the pre-school to maximize occupancy levels.
Who We Are Looking For
Essential Criteria:
- Experience: At least 5 years of experience working in a pre-school setting.
- Qualifications: Minimum Level 3 qualification in Child Care and Education.
- Knowledge: Sound understanding of child development from birth to 5 years, the EYFS, SEND Code of Practice, child protection procedures, and current early years legislation.
- Skills: Excellent communication skills to work effectively with parents, families, and staff. Proven ability to lead a team, conduct performance management, and write clear reports.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience working within a parent-managed or committee-run pre-school.
- A Level 5 childcare and education qualification.
Safeguarding & Suitability Declarations
- Squirrels Corner Pre-School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, committee members, and volunteers to share this commitment.
- Enhanced DBS Required: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check with a check of the Children's Barred List prior to appointment.
- References & Vetting: Appointment will be subject to the receipt of at least two satisfactory professional references (including your most recent employer) and verification of childcare qualifications.
- Disqualification Declaration: Applicants will be required to complete a declaration confirming they are not disqualified from working with children.
To Apply
Please submit your CV directly through Indeed by clicking the "Apply Now" button.
Squirrels Corner Pre-School is an equal opportunities employer.
Charity No: 1025758 | Ofsted Registration No: RP 905021
Pay: £14.85-£15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Childcare
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee mentoring programme
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
