Head of Early Years Practice - Lead differently. Lead together.
At Seymour House, we believe outstanding nurseries are led by outstanding teams
That's why we've created a unique dual leadership model, where our Head of Early Years Practice works alongside a dedicated Nursery Manager. Together, you combine your individual strengths to create an exceptional experience for children, families and your team.
If you're an experienced nursery leader who loves developing people, building strong relationships and creating an outstanding nursery environment, but values having an expert leadership partner, you'll feel at home here.
Why this role is different - Unlike traditional Nursery leadership roles, you won't be expected to carry every responsibility alone.
Working in partnership with the Nursery Manager, you'll each bring specialist expertise while making joint decisions that ensure every child, family and colleague thrives.
Perks of the role
Competitive salary
33 days annual leave including bank holidays
A friendly, flexible team with social events throughout the year
Ongoing training opportunities
Health and wellbeing resources and support
Free life coaching in the Dream Academy
Discounted gym membership
Access to a financial wellbeing service
Specsavers eyecare vouchers
About you
You will be qualified in Early Years to level 6 or 7 or above, with at least 2 years experience in leading team in an early years environment
You must be able to build meaningful relationships with all stakeholders, children, parents, team, central team colleagues, have excellent communication skills and maintain confidentiality
- You must be able to communicate our team and brand values through excellent communication and teamwork
- A real ‘can do’ attitude and self-motivation is essential – we need our team to love working together!
You must be willing and able to travel to monthly meetings at central office or other nursery settings in Essex / Herts when needed
You must be eligible to work in the UK and obtain a satisfactory DBS
About the role
The Head of Early Years Practice position is a diverse and exciting role, working in dual leadership with the Nursery Manager. The dual leadership structure provides the breadth of skills, knowledge and expertise that when combined is more robust to successfully lead and manage the day to day running of an outstanding setting. Together you will lead on all aspects of the early years provision, children, safeguarding, parents, and team issues in a professional manner, in line with the organisation’s procedures and values. The Head of Early Years Practice specifically leads the care and education across the setting, key responsibilities include;
Job Description – Head of Early Years Practice
Delivery of Care and Education
Ensuring that the nursery meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and Ofsted registration and inspection criteria, along with Local Authority requirements
Having high regards for all matters relating to safeguarding children and child protection, attending the Designated Safeguarding Lead training, and taking on the DSL role in the absence of the Nursery Manager
Leading our educational programmes and curriculum to ensure children are provided with every opportunity to meet their full potential through fun and exciting age and stage appropriate experiences, in line with our vision and values
Ensuring that high quality teaching and learning is taking place, with maximum impact on children’s outcomes, along with effective record keeping demonstrating children are making progress
Ensuring the learning environment is effective to deliver our curriculum, that policies and procedures are adhered to, and that the resources are of high quality, safe and fit for purpose
Promoting and supporting the development of outstanding practice with regard to inclusion and facilitate partnership with parents/carers, other family members, outside agencies and the wider community to meet the needs of all children
Being the SENCO for the setting and leading on all aspect of the SENCO role
Ensuring that parents/carers receive excellent customer care and communication from the nursery team on all aspects of nursery provision. Oversee that parents are encouraged to fully engage in their children’s learning and given opportunity to participate in nursery life and education
Ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction, to maintain an excellent reputation
Advocating the drive for improvement through the reflective practice cycle; evaluating the quality of care and education, completing the Nursery Self-evaluation and development plan, progress analysis, conducting and analysing audit data and feedback, addressing non-conformances and setting targets to ensure the nursery is prepared for external inspection from Ofsted
Taking a lead in Ofsted inspections of the nursery and completing the learning walk
Team Development
Building strong relationships with the nursery team as a trusted manager who role models and communicates our values
- Developing a strong, highly skilled, and motivated team with potential future leaders, through inspirational leadership where individuals strive to work at an outstanding level and to their full potential
- Coaching and mentoring the nursery team to deliver outstanding care and education, resolve challenges, in line with procedures
- Mentoring and supporting team that are completing training, i.e. apprenticeships, EYiTT, plan regular meetings to keep track of their progress, along with completing admin requirements
- Performance management for the nursery team, identifying strengths and training needs, and supporting with skill development and CPD, including regular peer observation
- Recruiting new nursery team members in line with safer recruitment procedures, and deploying team in line with the nurseries needs
- Inducting and mentoring new nursery team members
- Leading one to one and group training sessions and team meetings/supervisions
- Taking responsibility for own CPD to keep knowledge and skills fresh and inspirational Operational Leadership
Live, and role model, our values, understand and champion our mission
Be a visible role model, who demonstrates outstanding Early Years Practice to the nursery team, children and their families, and the wider community
- Keeping up to date with policies and procedures, statutory requirements and current early years thinking and share learnings for improvement across the team
Leading a culture where all team have high regard for the importance of the nursery environment, resources, safety and hygiene, ensuring professional standards are upheld
- Sharing appropriate information on operational matters with the Area Manager, Nursery Operations Team and wider team to ensure the setting is receiving the support it requires to be successful
- Thinking and plan ahead to anticipate future challenges and collaboratively resolve issues
Analysing Key Performance Indicators and action data, to support the performance of the nursery
Meeting the nursery’s financial objectives, maximising revenue, managing budgets and expenditure in line with our vision and values, to include accurate administration of SEN funding and expenditure
- Attending regular meetings, contributing to the agenda and discussion, and working collaboratively with other nurseries and the wider team for the good of the whole organisation
- Working on specific projects within the Head of Early Years Practice group, to enhance the care and education as an organisation, so exceptional and forward thinking
- Is open to and puts forward new ideas and ways of working to positively impact children, parents, and team
Establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with relevant Local Authority Departments, regulatory bodies and other agencies.
Other Information
This job description is not exhaustive, and the post holder is required to undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Area Manager.
We actively promote equal opportunities and are committed to equality and diversity for all our children and team. Applicants will be considered on merit only, irrespective of race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or belief.
A copy of the Company’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Disclosure Information Policy is available on request.
Seymour House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all team members and volunteers to share this commitment.
This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. An enhanced check is completed and regularly updated through the Disclosure and Barring Service
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £39,270.00-£45,870.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Education:
Experience:
- Nursery: 2 years (required)
- Management: 2 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
