Are you looking for a nursery where teamwork truly matters? A place where everyone supports each other, where qualified professionals work together to provide the very best care for children?
At Orchard Lea Nursery & Preschool, we believe that great nurseries are built by great teams. If you are passionate about childcare and want to work in a friendly, supportive, and inspiring environment, we would love to hear from you.
We are a family-run childcare provider with two well-established nurseries in the Bristol area:
- Kingswood (BS15)
- Keynsham (BS31)
Our settings care for children aged 6 months to school age, offering fantastic indoor and outdoor learning environments where children can thrive.
Most importantly, we are passionate about giving every child the best possible start in life — and that starts with having the right people in our team.
Our staff are at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on building a positive, supportive working environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
At Orchard Lea you’ll be part of a dedicated team of early years professionals who share a passion for delivering outstanding childcare while supporting one another every day.
The Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and friendly person to join Orchard Lea Nursery in Kingswood (BS15) as a Room Lead. The candidate will hold a Level 3 NVQ or above qualification. Ideally previous experience of working in Early Years in the same or similar role and experience of being in a supervisory role. The role will include:
- A high standard of care and education for all children
- Supporting other team members within this area and wider nursery
- Working as part of a team
· Would suit a practitioner with experience in a similar role
· Level 3 qualification or above is essential
· Supporting the team, day to day running of the room and early years curriculum planning
· Support with rest of team daily programme of activities
· Ensure the welfare and the safety of children
· Liaise closely with parents and carers supporting and signposting as necessary.
· Work closely with management and external support where appropriate
The role has the following responsibilities:
- Good organisation and communication skills
- Support personal development in children working within the EYFS
- Contribute to the planning and activities for the children
- Maintain accurate records of learning and observations and complete paperwork to required standards
- Support and develop your own group of key children
- Always ensure the safety and wellbeing of children
- Build relationships with parents, carers and colleagues
In line with our recruitment policy, any successful applicant is expected to provide satisfactory references and submit a DBS application. They are also expected to complete statutory training for example; Prevent, FGM , Child Protection, Safer Food Handling. Also, to attend staff meetings and updates.
A valid Paediatric First Aid Certificate is desirable however, there will be opportunity to obtain this through the Nursery.
You will be passionate about childcare, enjoy making a difference to young people lives and believe that childcare is not just a job.
We believe that every member of our team contributes to the care and education of our children and how we support our families.
The successful candidate will need to be a team player who is:
- A confident good communicator, with literacy and IT skills. We use tablets for recording EYFS, training will be given.
- Have an empathic and fun approach to children’s learning.
- Be organised, motivated and proactive within the team and be an individual who is able to share their skills whilst still learning form others.
The nursery is supported by a strong administration team including SENCO, HR coordinator,and Forest School Lead. As part of the team you will be supported by your Nursery Manager and Deputy. Orchard Lea operates a buddy system.
We recognise that Continual Professional Development is key to sustaining a well skilled and dynamic team.
We recognise that at different times in our career journey we all need a little flexible working. Orchard Lea recognises the significance of a Work – Life balance.
Hours
Full time (with a minimum of 4 days) working on a shift pattern of 07:30am-17:30pm OR 8:00am-18:00pm on a monthly shift rotation.
The Candidate
We are looking for a motivated individual who enjoys the company of and communicating with children. The ideal candidate must be a team player and enthusiastic about supporting children. We require the candidate to hold a minimum of a Level 3 NVQ or equivalent qualification.
Ongoing training and support are provided by the Nursery. We also require the successful candidate to have:
· NVQ level 3 or above
· Knowledge of the EYFS framework, safeguarding and OFSTED requirements
· Knowledge of Safeguarding
· Excellent communication and organisations skills
· Ability to share your ideas, provide advice and guidance
· Previous experience as a room lead or similar role desired
- Ability to lead a team
- Be self-motivated, able to work as part of a team as well as being able to use own initiative
- Well organised, good time management and forward thinking
- Support your own key children, carrying out observations and reports to be able to review children’s progress
- Support daily routines and adapt as appropriate
- Previous use of on-line learning platforms such as CONNECT desirable – training will be given.
- Participate in our home visiting.
Staff Benefits
- Joining a busy and friendly staff team where your contribution is recognised with every day being different.
- Recruitment bonus – up to £1500 recruitment bonus after successful completion of probation
- Up to £100 Love to Shop vouchers to support with the change in role and move to a new setting
- Flexible working – we are happy to support a range of part time working patterns for those seeking that work/life balance
- Generous holiday entitlement that increases with length of service up to 7 weeks annual leave per year (including bank holidays)
- Paid overtime and travel should you visit the other nursery
- Main staff uniform provided and a uniform allowance paid twice a year
- Great Staff facilities to rest and relax during your break time
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provided by Health Assured:- For ongoing support when needed, whatever the reason, a confidential service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
- Discounted childcare - 30% staff discount when child attends setting
- Time Off in Lieu of out of hours training. (TOIL can be banked to be used throughout the year)
- Pension scheme
- Team building and social events throughout the year
- Nursery closed between Christmas and New Year (and all bank holidays)
- Annual pay review
- A rewarding career where you know you are educating our youngest children – our future.
We hope that the above explains most of the role as advertised. Naturally on the job training and mentoring will be provided. As with many jobs they continue to evolve with time and can develop with your input.
Please visit our website for more details www.orchardleachildcare.co.uk
Pay: Up to £31,449.60 per year
Work Location: In person
